Elevated cholesterol among African American adults: the role of fatalistic attitudes about health
View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Greater religious health fatalism, specifically Helpless Inevitability, is linked to higher elevated cholesterol in African American adults. This highlights a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease in this population.
Area Of Science
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Epidemiology
Background
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is prevalent in African American adults (AAs), with elevated cholesterol as a major risk factor.
- Behavioral risk factors and religiosity influence health, but findings on religiosity's impact are mixed.
- Religious health fatalism (RHF), the belief that health outcomes are God-determined, requires further scientific investigation.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate the association between Religious Health Fatalism Questionnaire (RHFQ) subscales and a history of elevated cholesterol.
- To explore the role of specific religiosity domains in cardiovascular risk among African Americans.
Main Methods
- A cross-sectional study involved 135 participants from an African American church.
- Multiple logistic regression analyzed the relationship between RHFQ subscales and self-reported elevated cholesterol.
- Demographic variables and general religiosity (Lukwago Religiosity Scale) were included as covariates.
Main Results
- Increased Helpless Inevitability (an RHFQ subscale) was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of elevated cholesterol (OR=3.21, p < .001).
- This association remained significant after adjusting for demographic factors and general religiosity.
Conclusions
- A higher degree of Helpless Inevitability is a significant predictor of elevated cholesterol in African Americans.
- Further research is needed to understand the complex interplay of religiosity, fatalism, and elevated cholesterol risk in this population.