Exploring Associations Between Urban Youth’s Race and Ethnicity, Social–Emotional Well-Being, and Health-Promoting Behaviors

• Published in: Families in society 2024-11
• Main Authors: Quezada-Horne, Nelia M., Jones, Lani V., Benedict, Melody S., Lee, Eunju
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1044-3894; 1945-1350
• DOI: 10.1177/10443894241282028

Multiple aspects of social–emotional well-being have been identified as influential factors in adults’ and children’s physical activity and nutrition. However, the associations between social–emotional well-being, race and ethnicity, and health-promoting behaviors among urban youth remain understudied. This cross-sectional pilot study examines the relationships between social–emotional well-being and health-promoting behaviors. The study also explores how race and ethnicity affect physical activity and consumption of nutrient-dense foods among urban youth ages 11–19 ( N = 100) in a small Northeastern city in the United States. The results do not indicate any associations between social–emotional well-being measures and health-promoting behaviors measured as fulfilling physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake guidelines. However, we found significant racial and ethnic differences in health-promoting behaviors. These findings indicate that prevention programs and policies aimed at enhancing urban youth’s engagement in physical activity and consumption of nutrient-rich foods need to be tailored based on racial, ethnic, and cultural contexts.