Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare (Feb 2022)
Relationship Between Dietary Self-Efficacy and Religiosity Among Seventh-Day Adventists in Peru
Abstract
Jacksaint Saintila,1 Yaquelin E Calizaya-Milla,1 Digna E Brañes-Ruiz,2 Pedro R Nunura-Figueroa,2 Treisy C Chávez-Hernández,1 Vasthy A Bautista-Mayuri,1 Luz NR Santisteban-Murga,1 Sergio E Calizaya-Milla,1 Laura E Baquedano-Santana3 1Grupo de Investigación en Nutrición y Estilos de Vida, Escuela de Nutrición Humana, Universidad Peruana Unión, Lima, Perú; 2Departamento de capellanía, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Peruana Unión, Lima, Perú; 3Escuela de Posgrado, Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, PerúCorrespondence: Jacksaint Saintila, Escuela de Nutrición Humana, Universidad Peruana Unión, Chosica, Lima, 15, Perú, Tel +51 991 354 542, Email [email protected]: Most of the studies involving members of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church (SDA) have been conducted in the United States and Canada.Aim: The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between dietary self-efficacy and religiosity among SDA members in Peru.Methods: In this online cross-sectional study, 403 participants aged 18 to 59 years selected by convenience were included. The data collected included sociodemographic information. In addition, the Dietary Self-Efficacy Scale (DIET-SE) and the Duke University Index of Religion (DUREL) were administered. A correlation analysis was performed and multiple linear regression was used to examine the association between religiosity, dietary self-efficacy, and sociodemographic variables.Results: Dietary self-efficacy was significantly negatively correlated with all dimensions of religiosity, ie, organized religious activities (ORA), non-organized religious activities (NORA), and intrinsic religiosity (IR). In addition, participants had high dietary self-efficacy and religiosity.Conclusion: Although religiosity dimensions did not significantly predict dietary self-efficacy, however, the non-organized religious activities dimension was the strongest predictor of dietary self-efficacy among Adventists in Peru. The present study will serve as a basis for future research to further investigate the potential positive effect of religiosity on the improvement a healthy diet and possible changes in the physical and mental health of the population.Keywords: Adventists, diet, religion, religiosity, self-efficacy, Peru