Obesity is a significant health problem in the US with African American (AA) women having one of the highest prevalence of obesity. Some AA women may equate a larger BMI with a positive body image. The purpose of this cross-sectional descriptive study was to examine the relationship between demographic variables, body image perception, coping behaviors and BMI with a non-probability sample of 191 AA women, 18–40 years old. Participants completed a demographic form and Pulver’s Figure Rating Scale (PFRS). Weight and height were measure and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Significant findings show that chronological age, hypertension, cigarette smoking and BMI were positively associated with body image perception. Using regression analysis, hypertension and BMI were predictors of body image perception. The study findings indicate that chronic illness and BMI impact body image perception.
Objectives Nutrition apps have been designed to assist users in determining the nutritional value of their food in alliance with their dietary restrictions and/or health. However, many of these apps do not incorporate or recognize the cuisine of the diverse communities that they serve. In this work we assessed several of the most popular free apps and compared with the most popular dishes in Latin America, Europe, India, East Asia, West Africa, and the American South to determine the rate of recognition of culturally diverse cuisines in popular nutrition apps. Methods We built a consensus database of over 150 culturally popular foods via a web scraper for foods from Latin American, Europe, India, East Asia, West Africa, and the American South. Researched & logged popular dishes from International cuisines with their corresponding nutritional data. Each food item was run against Calorie Mama, Lose It, My Fitness Pal and My Plate to determine the recognition and availability of the nutritional value. Results European and Indian dishes were better recognized (greater than 70%) across all apps than West African and Latin American dishes. Of the dishes that were recognizable, most were due to manual entry and lacked some of the nutritional information, making the apps less useful. Conclusions We note a bias among popular nutrition apps in not taking into account cuisines, from both international and regional American communities, leaving many communities underserved and contributing to health inequalities gap. Funding Sources N/A.
Introduction: Breast cancer survivorship guidelines from the American Cancer Society (ACS) and American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) contain recommendations for health promotion, specifically obesity, nutrition, and physical activity. Breast cancer treatment is often cardiotoxic because of anthracycline- based drugs, radiation therapy, and use of monoclonal antibodies. Many African American (AA) BCS have preexisting conditions such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes when diagnosed with breast cancer. Evidence suggests that breast cancer survivors (BCS) with sedentary lifestyles, obesity, and lack of physical activity have poorer outcomes among survivors. Research indicates AA BCS are less likely to be encouraged to lose weight or participate in physical activity by healthcare providers. Hypotheses: 1) Physical inactivity, smoking, and suboptimal dietary patterns adversely affect cardiovascular health and survival of AA female BCS; and 2) Socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental factors serve as barriers or facilitators to adopting heart healthy behaviors and health outcomes. Methods: The sample consisted of 14 participants in three focus groups. Because these women had been discharged from acute oncology care, they were recruited from the AA community in Greensboro and Durham, NC. The organizations included cancer survivor organizations, religious and community organizations, and by referral from participants. Focus groups were held in locations that provided privacy for participants to verbally express themselves and interact with others freely. Anthropometric and biomarker data were collected from each participant and are reported elsewhere. Results: Using thematic analysis, verbatim transcripts were analyzed using word processing software. We familiarized ourselves with the focus group data, and continued with coding, theme generation, review and naming. The overarching themes identified were eating habits, thoughts about exercise, thoughts about weight, physician advice, and the importance of regular exercise. Conclusions: In conclusion, because many BCS are at risk for late and long-term cardiac effects of cancer treatment therapies, it is advisable to promote cardiovascular health behaviors that connect other health recommendations as suggested by the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7. Accordingly, it is necessary to assess socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental factors that may influence heart healthy behaviors and health outcomes before creating culturally relevant interventions.
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