Support Needs of Overweight African American Women for Weight Loss

Abstract

Objectives-To examine social support needs of obese and over-weight African American women for weight loss.Methods-Focus groups were conducted with over-weight and obese African American women. Data were analyzed using standard grounded theory text analysis.Results-Our middle-aged (45.7 years; SD=12.6) women (N = 66) were interested in receiving support from others focused on the health benefits of weight loss. Behaviors perceived as supportive include co-participating in exercise, providing nutrition education, using positive

Using the Health Belief Model to Develop Culturally Appropriate Weight-Management Materials for African-American Women

“…Describing someone as obese is often perceived as an insult (26). It is more accurate and sensitive to tell a client that they have been diagnosed with obesity rather than saying "you are obese.…”

Menopause, Rurality, And Obesity in Rural African American Women

“…African American women are reported to underestimate their body size and consider larger body sizes as more culturally acceptable. Thus, many AAW favor larger and fleshier bodies Parescoli, 2007;Thomas et al, 2009). Additionally, AAW report increased psychological distress and depression influenced by family responsibilities and knowledge of healthy eating (Bromberger et al, 2009;Jefferson et al, 2010;Kim et al, 2009;Palmer et al, 2003).…”

“…Obese and overweight AAW perceive themselves as attractive and smaller than their actual body size, weight, or BMI (Baturka et al, 2000;Stevens et al, 1994), even when they meet the criteria for being Although most obese AAW report a dislike for the negativity associated with obesity, many do not consider themselves obese; as one AA woman lamented, "when you are fat you can't get into the chair, tub, bathroom…you can't get around, that's when you know you are obese" (Bramble et al, 2009, p.63). Researchers have found that AAW associate negative connotations with the word "obese" when used to describe body size (Thomas et al, 2009;Ward, Gray, & Paranjape, 2009). One woman stated, "I do not like the word obese…[the] negativity…I would rather be called fat" (Bramble et al, 2009, p. 63).…”

“…Additionally, Parescoli (2007) reported that AA men encourage AAW to maintain fleshy bodies to have "large derrieres" and maintain "healthy weight" (p110). It is likely that the preferences of AA men are factors affecting AAW's perceptions of 'healthy' weight and thus impeding their weight loss efforts Steese et al, 2006;Thomas et al, 2009). Other cognitive factors influencing obesity levels are the perceptions of many AAW that BMI calculations are inaccurate representations of their weight and body size (Bramble et al, 2009;Brown, 2009;Moore et al, 2010) and poor "health" (status) the primary prerequisite for weight loss (Befort, Thomas, Daley, Rhode, & Ahluwalia, 2008).…”

“…Studies have found that obese AAW experience lower levels of general wellbeing and exercise performance (Patt et al, 2004;CDC, 2001) and these characteristics are influenced by their perceived self-efficacy (Eyler et al, 2002a). Additionally many AAW's decreased participation in PA is due to (a) their negative perceptions about PA, (b) lack of time because of social and cultural pressures, (c) increased time spent on hair care, and (d) lower resting metabolic rate (Albu et al 1997;Harley et al, 2009;Thomas et al, 2009). …”