Social Networks and Physical Activity Behaviors Among Cancer Survivors: Data From the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey

• Published in: Journal of health communication Vol. 20; no. 6; pp. 656 - 662
• Main Authors: Kim, Bang Hyun, Wallington, Sherrie F., Makambi, Kepher H., Adams-Campbell, Lucile L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Routledge 03.06.2015; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Cancer; Community organization; Cross-Sectional Studies; Exercise; Exercise - psychology; Female; Health behavior; Health Surveys; Health technology assessment; Humans; Information; Knowledge; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate analysis; Neoplasms - psychology; Neoplasms - therapy; Physical activity; Regression analysis; Social networks; Social Support; Survival; Survivor; Survivors - psychology; Survivors - statistics & numerical data; United States; Young Adult; United States
• ISSN: 1081-0730; 1087-0415
• DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2015.1018576

The study examined the relation between social networks and physical activity behaviors among cancer survivors. The authors examined 873 cancer survivors (596 women, 277 men) 50 years of age or older who participated in the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that survivors who talked about health with friends/family were more likely to pay attention to new physical activity recommendations (OR = 2.89, CI [1.01, 8.33]). Female survivors were more likely to pay attention to new physical activity recommendations (OR = 2.65, CI [1.55, 4.53]) and more likely to have seen, heard, or read physical activity/exercise and cancer information within the past 12 months (OR = 2.09, CI [1.13, 3.85]) compared with their male counterparts. For male survivors, those who were a member of at least one community organization were more likely to pay attention to new physical activity/exercise recommendations (OR = 5.31, CI [1.32, 21.22]) than the men who were not members. Overall, cancer survivors with a social network (i.e., talking to family/friends about health) were more likely to pay attention to new exercise recommendations compared with those who did not have a social network. Significant differences were also observed by gender with physical activity levels, knowledge, and attitudes. Social networking is an important component in cancer survivorship and further research is needed to encourage social networking strategies that might facilitate in increasing physical activity behaviors among cancer survivors.