Weight Loss Attitudes and Social Forces in Urban Poor Black and White Women

Abstract

Objective To explore differences between Blacks and Whites in perceived influences on weight-related behaviors among obese urban poor women. Methods Participants (N = 27) received physician referrals to a weight loss program located in Federally Qualified Health Centers and either never attended or stopped attending. We conducted in-depth, in home interviews using a script informed by focus groups, pilot discussions, and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to learn about participants’ weight loss attitudes, social forces and perceived behavioral control. Results White women reported having more social support and social pressure for weight management activities. Black women reported eating for positive reasons whereas white women associated eating with negative emotions. Conclusion Social networks and emotions may be critical factors in weight management and lifestyle program participation.

Do Black Women’s Religious Beliefs About Body Image Influence Their Confidence in Their Ability to Lose Weight?

“…Despite the high levels of overweight and obesity in our study sample, participants reported moderate levels of body satisfaction, which is consistent with previous studies that found positive body image perceptions among obese black women (6,7,9,). Yet, body satisfaction was not related to motivation or confidence in ability to lose weight.…”

Higher Motivation for Weight Loss in African American than Caucasian Rural Patients with Hypertension and/or Diabetes

“…[20][21][22] In addition, racial/ethnic minorities have been found to report less social pressure to lose weight, while also having lower rates of engagement in formalized weight loss programs and ultimate weight-loss success. [22][23][24][25][26] The literature exploring racial/ ethnic differences in motivation for physical activity has proven to be relatively more fruitful, which is likely related to the fact that racial/ethnic minorities have consistently been found to have lower rates of physical activity. [27][28] For example, Egli and colleagues 29 explored racial differences across 14 different exercise motivation subscales (including intrinsic and extrinsic motivators) among a sample of college students and found significant racial differences for eight of the exercise motivators, suggesting that specific motivators for physical activity vary substantially across races.…”

Identifying Contextual and Emotional Factors to Explore Weight Disparities between Obese Black and White Women

“…15 In fact, experimental research has demonstrated a powerful influence of cues on eating behavior, 16 and our previous research suggests that food cues are pervasive in the lives and homes of obese urban poor women. 17 Lifestyle interventions often do provide participants with information about cues and how to "take charge of what's around you", 18 but the field of automaticity has shown that humans are largely unaware of cues and their influence on desires and behaviors. 15,19 Establishing novel methods to identify, evaluate, and quantify the contexts to which obese black compared to obese white women are exposed may lead to valuable insight into the cues that trigger obesogenic behaviors.…”

“…1,2,20,21 For example, urban poor black women often report being part of social networks that support obesity and intake of foods that are high in fat, sodium, and sugar. 17,22 Urban poor white women, on the other hand, report social networks that support and encourage small body sizes. 17,22 While it is well known that internal and external factors affect weight-related behavior, 23 to our knowledge, these factors have not been extensively studied in the urban poor women.…”

“…17,22 Urban poor white women, on the other hand, report social networks that support and encourage small body sizes. 17,22 While it is well known that internal and external factors affect weight-related behavior, 23 to our knowledge, these factors have not been extensively studied in the urban poor women. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has identified obesity research in the urban poor women as a particularly high priority.…”