Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Diet Change in Southern Rural Residents Enrolled in a Cancer Prevention Intervention Trial

Using data from The Rural Physician Cancer Prevention Project, a dietary intervention trial, this cross-sectional, longitudinal study explored predictors of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in a Southern, rural population (N = 375). Participants' dietary knowledge, stage of change, and dietary behavior were examined at baseline and 1 and 12 months after the intervention. More than half the participants (mean age = 48 years; 60% female; 60% Caucasian) reported using CAM. Logistic regression indicated that age, education, ethnicity and trust in physician affect the likelihood of CAM use. Hierarchical multiple regressions suggested that CAM use was associated with healthier fat and fiber consumption at baseline. CAM users in the intervention, unexpectedly, reported decreased fat knowledge 1 month after the intervention, although similar results were not seen later. Among the intervention participants, CAM use was not significantly associated with changes in stage of behavior change or dietary consumption behaviors.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2005

Author dc:creator

• Kracen, Amanda

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Elizabeth A. Fries
• Dr. Kathleen M. Ingram

• CAM
• cancer
• treatment
• intervention
• Psychology
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• © The Author

Identifier

https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/732

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-1731