Is Colorectal Cancer Screening Associated with Stages of Weight Control Among Korean Americans Aged 50-75 Years Old?: Implications for Weight Control Practice.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the associations of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening with stages of weight control among Korean Americans (KAs) using the transtheoretical model and provide implications for their weight control practice.

METHODS

A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was employed to collect data on current weight control behaviors and intentions, CRC screening history, previous cancer diagnosis, body mass index, number of chronic conditions, perceived health status, health insurance, and sociodemographics. Purposive sampling was implemented to recruit KA participants in the Atlanta metropolitan area in the USA from May 2015 to February 2016. A total of 433 KAs aged 50 to 75 years completed a self-report survey questionnaire. Descriptive and bivariate analyses and multiple logistic regressions were performed using Stata Version 14/MP software.

RESULTS

Applying the stages of the transtheoretical model 53% were positioned in the first two stages (precontemplation and contemplation) of weight control with 47% being in the last two stages (action and maintenance). Participants who had been screened for CRC were more likely to be in the last two stages of weight control compared with those who had not been screened (OR = 2.49; p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that preventive healthcare such as CRC screening may provide the opportunity for health education interventions to help encourage weight control efforts and behaviors in the KA community. Future research is warranted to investigate the underlying mechanism behind the link between CRC screening and weight control to guide the development of interventions for eliminating health disparities.