Social networks and social support for healthy eating among XXXX survivors: implications for social and behavioral interventions.

@entity1 @entity0
PURPOSE: Little is known about @entity0 survivors' social networks or their perceived social support to achieve and maintain a healthy diet. This paper describes the social networks and perceived support for healthy eating in a sample of @entity0 survivors of predominantly Dominican descent living in New York City. METHODS: Spanish-speaking @entity0 survivors enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a culturally tailored dietary intervention. Social networks were assessed using Cohen's Social Network Index and a modified General Social Survey Social Networks Module that included assessments of shared health promoting behaviors. Perceived social support from family and friends for healthy, food-related behaviors was assessed. RESULTS: @entity1 ' networks consisted predominantly of family and friends. Family members were more likely than other individuals to be identified as close network members. @entity1 were more likely to share food-related activities than exercise activities with close network members. Perceived social support for healthy eating was high, although perceived support from spouses and @entity1 was higher than support from friends. Despite high levels of perceived support, family was also identified as a barrier to eating healthy foods by nearly half of @entity1 . CONCLUSIONS: Although friends are part of @entity0 survivors' social networks, spouses and @entity1 may provide greater support for healthy eating than friends. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Involving family members in dietary interventions for @entity0 survivors may tap into positive sources of support for @entity1 , which could facilitate uptake and maintenance of healthy eating behaviors.
