Self-Efficacy Is Associated with Health Behaviors Related To Obesity and Cardiovascular Risk Among Hispanic/Latinx and Somali Immigrants To the United States
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health Dec 2025
Self-efficacy, or confidence in performing health behaviors, was examined among 450 Hispanic/Latinx and Somali adults enrolled in the Healthy Immigrant Community project in southeastern Minnesota. Participants completed baseline assessments of confidence for healthy eating and physical activity, along with dietary intake, physical activity, and biometric measures. Confidence to eat a healthy diet was strongly associated with healthier behaviors, including eating fruits and vegetables as snacks and reduced consumption of sugary drinks and soda. Similarly, confidence to be physically active correlated with higher levels of reported physical activity across vigorous, moderate, and walking categories. These associations were consistent across both immigrant groups, suggesting that self-efficacy theory applies effectively in these populations.
Findings underscore the importance of integrating strategies to enhance self-efficacy into culturally tailored interventions aimed at reducing obesity and cardiovascular risk. RHCP’s community-based participatory approach facilitated translation and adaptation of validated measures, ensuring cultural and linguistic appropriateness. While results are based on self-reported data and reflect baseline measures only, the strong correlations indicate that confidence plays a critical role in shaping health behaviors. Future research should explore changes in self-efficacy over time and its impact on intervention outcomes to inform sustainable health promotion strategies for immigrant communities.