Health Behavior Correlates Among Colon Cancer Survivors: NC STRIDES Baseline Results

OBJECTIVE: To examine health behaviors (fruit/vegetable intake and physical activity) and their association with social cognitive theory (SCT) constructs among colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors (n=304) and comparable non-CRC-affected participants (n = 521). METHODS: Baseline data were analyzed bivariately and modeled with linear regression. Participants were 48% female, 36% African American (mean age = 67). RESULTS: Behaviors were comparable between groups, but survivors perceived more social support for behaviors (P <.05). Lack of employment was associated with greater frequency of healthy behaviors (P <.05) as were more modifiable factors including higher self-efficacy and lower barriers. CONCLUSIONS: SCT constructs were associated with behavior and may be targets for future interventions, but other variables may be important as well.