Health characteristics and health behaviors of African American adults according to self-rated health status.

OBJECTIVES Although African Americans report poorer self-rated health (SRH) than Whites, few studies have explored what factors are associated with SRH in this population. Our study described the health characteristics and health behaviors of a sample of adult church members according to SRH status. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING 74 African Methodist Episcopal churches in South Carolina. PARTICIPANTS 1077 church members (99% African American). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Self-reported physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, fat- and fiber-behaviors, perceived stress, and presence of chronic health conditions, objectively measured body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and blood pressure. Health-related characteristics and health behaviors across SRH categories were calculated. Analysis of covariance examined relationships between SRH and the presence of chronic diseases, the total number of chronic diseases, health-related variables, and health behaviors. RESULTS The health characteristics and health behaviors of participants worsened with declining SRH. The percentage of participants with each individual chronic health condition increased, as did the total number of chronic health conditions, as SRH declined. A higher BMI, a greater waist circumference, and higher perceived stress were associated with poorer SRH. Participants with lower physical activity and poorer fat- and fiber-behaviors also had poorer SRH. Fruit and vegetable consumption was not associated with SRH. CONCLUSIONS A better understanding of what health-related variables and health behaviors contribute to SRH may inform future interventions, as researchers and practitioners can target and effectively change the most salient factors. Fortunately, a majority of the factors are modifiable and can be prevented or reversed with changes in lifestyle.