The effect of John Henryism and diet on hypertension in socioeconomically diverse populations
Date
2012
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Objective: Psychosocial factors have been associated with diet patterns, and consequently, disease risk. Since hypertension is closely linked to diet as well as high-effort coping seen in John Henryism, the two may be linked. This study explores the influence of John Henryism on the adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and determines the influence of John Henryism and DASH adherence on hypertension. Methods: The participants were 2,166 Whites and African Americans from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) baseline study. DASH adherence was used to assess diet quality and the John Henryism Active Coping Scale was used to assess John Henryism. Results: Subjects had very low DASH adherence scores, regardless of disease state. There was no relationship between John Henryism and DASH adherence and no significant effect of John Henryism and DASH adherence on hypertension. Only 5% of the HANDLS population was DASH adherent, suggesting that there was little variation in diet, making it difficult to see any association. Conclusion: John Henryism did not influence adherence to the DASH diet and neither John Henryism nor DASH adherence significantly influenced hypertension. However, this study supports the need for multi-faceted interventions incorporating not only diet education, but also addressing stress, literacy, and financial strain in order to improve health in diverse urban populations of low-to-middle socioeconomic status.