Knowledge Bank

To assess the relationship between perceptions of positive versus negative health and medical conditions, self-efficacy, and lifestyle behaviors in a cohort of adult food pantry clients. Using data from a 2012-2013 voluntary survey that was designed using a mix of new and validated survey questions to assess demographics, perceived health status, preventive healthcare, and food security status. Participants (n=250) were stratified by perceived health status (poor/fair; good/very good/excellent). We investigated unadjusted associations between perceived health status and self-efficacy (0-4), and prevalence of health behaviors, and medical conditions. The sample was 71.3% female, 53.4% white/Caucasian, 38.1% African American, 3.2% Latino/Hispanic with a mean age of 45.3. The prevalence of a “negative” health perception (poor/fair) was 52%. The negative health perception cohort presented with higher rates of chronic disease including hypercholesterolemia (34%), hypertension (56%), overweight/obesity (48%), and diabetes (22%). Those with a positive health perception reported greater self-efficacy related to making health care decisions, altering behaviors to impact disease management, and improving one’s own health status; however, they were also more likely to indicate they were making health behavior changes to address their chronic disease. These findings indicate that diagnosis of chronic health conditions and co-morbidities in food pantry clients may be associated with negative health-perceptions and lower levels of self-efficacy. This study provides preliminary evidence that perceived health status may be a useful indicator for screening high-risk individuals within food pantries.