Facilitators of behavior change and weight loss in an intervention for African American Breast Cancer Survivors.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine facilitators of behavior change and weight loss among African-American women who participated in the Moving Forward Efficacy trial.

METHODS

Linear mixed models were used to examine the role of self-efficacy, social support, and perceived access to healthy eating, exercise, and neighborhood safety on weight, physical activity, and diet. We also examined the mediation of self-efficacy, social support, and perceived access to healthy eating, exercise, and neighborhood safety on weight loss, physical activity, and diet using the Freedman Schatzkin statistic.

RESULTS

We found no evidence to suggest mediation, but some direct associations of self-efficacy, certain types of social support and perceived access to exercise on weight loss, and behavior change.

CONCLUSION

We determined that self-efficacy, social support, and perceived access to exercise played a role in weight loss, increased MVPA, and better diet. The role of self-efficacy and perceived access to exercise were more consistent than social support.