Managing a Low-Sodium Lifestyle and Dietary Behaviors during COVID-19 for Black Women with Hypertension
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Black women’s ability to follow a low-sodium diet. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Black women’s ability to follow a low-sodium diet. A purposive sample was composed of 30 Black women with a self-reported diagnosis of hypertension, aged 18 years and older, living in the Northeast region of the United States. Results: Themes centered on five areas: (a) social support/social connectedness, (b) changes in salt intake due to the COVID-19 pandemic, (c) social isolation, (d) barriers and facilitators to accessing food, and (e) altered taste perception. Participants emphasized the variations in the social support and connectedness they experienced, along with increased salt and sodium intake, as two crucial factors in managing their diet during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: These results indicate that multiple barriers to maintaining a low-sodium diet during the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted hypertension self-management among Black women. It is crucial to examine the lingering effects of the pandemic on hypertension management and adherence to a low-sodium diet in this population. As we move beyond the peak of the pandemic, promoting healthy eating habits—significantly reducing sodium and salt intake—remains essential for Black women.
Institutions: Western Michigan University, University of Delaware
Language: English
Topic: Sodium Intake and Health
Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4402051862