Health beliefs, health behavior and hypertension risk in African -American

Hypertension is a major health care problem and factors such as overweight and obesity, as well as, diet and physical inactivity place African-American women at increased risk for hypertension. African-American women have been found to have inaccurate health beliefs regarding hypertension and perceptions regarding weight that favor larger body sizes---both of which may also increase the risk for hypertension in this population.;The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of hypertension-related health beliefs (perceived susceptibility, actions to reduce susceptibility, perceived seriousness, perceived benefits (physical activity and nutrition) and perceived barriers (physical activity and nutrition) and perceptions regarding weight (self-image in relation to weight, social support for weight management and weight management and control practices) to hypertension risk in African-American women.;The Health Belief Model served as the conceptual framework. A convenience sample of 167 African-American women aged 18 to 45 (normal weight = 50, overweight = 48 and obese = 69) participated in the study. A descriptive, correlational research design was used.;Age, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, hip circumference, perceived stress, perceived seriousness of hypertension, self-image in relation to weight, weight management and control practices and the Weight Perception and Control Scale total scores significantly differed by weight class. Hypertension knowledge was significantly associated with perceived susceptibility to hypertension, actions to reduce susceptibility, perceived seriousness of hypertension, and perceived benefits of physical activity.;Age, socioeconomic status, perceived stress, systolic blood pressure and body mass index were significantly associated hypertension-related health beliefs. Perceived stress and body mass index were significantly associated with perceptions regarding weight. Age, systolic blood pressure, hypertension-related health beliefs and perceptions regarding weight predicted weight class. Perceptions regarding weight and hypertension-related health beliefs predicted hypertension class.;It was concluded that hypertension knowledge and perceptions of weight influence hypertension-related health beliefs, and hypertension-related health-beliefs and perceptions regarding weight influenced weight class, hypertension class and hypertension preventive health behaviors in African-American women.