Faryle Nothwehr1. 1. College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, 52242, USA. faryle-nothwehr@uiowa.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Researchers have found that African-American women have concerns about their weight, but are less successful in their weight loss efforts compared to Caucasian women. Reasons for this disparity have not been explored in great detail. Identifying specific attitudes and behaviors that contribute to obesity in these subpopulations will help inform the design of interventions. METHODS: This report compares specific attitudes and behaviors related to diet and exercise in two groups who are trying to lose weight: African-American women in Indianapolis (n = 80) and Caucasian women from the rural Midwest (n = 45). Data are from surveys that shared many common measures, but were otherwise not related to one another. The choice of measures was guided by a conceptual framework of self-management processes. RESULTS: Compared to women in the urban study, women in the rural study report greater social support for behavior change, greater self-efficacy, and outcome expectations, and greater use of every strategy measured. CONCLUSIONS: While there is room for improvement in both groups, these results contribute to our understanding of subgroup differences and similarities in the complex behavioral issues surrounding successful weight management. Larger studies with more representative samples are needed to confirm these findings and inform future interventions.
BACKGROUND: Researchers have found that African-American women have concerns about their weight, but are less successful in their weight loss efforts compared to Caucasian women. Reasons for this disparity have not been explored in great detail. Identifying specific attitudes and behaviors that contribute to obesity in these subpopulations will help inform the design of interventions. METHODS: This report compares specific attitudes and behaviors related to diet and exercise in two groups who are trying to lose weight: African-American women in Indianapolis (n = 80) and Caucasian women from the rural Midwest (n = 45). Data are from surveys that shared many common measures, but were otherwise not related to one another. The choice of measures was guided by a conceptual framework of self-management processes. RESULTS: Compared to women in the urban study, women in the rural study report greater social support for behavior change, greater self-efficacy, and outcome expectations, and greater use of every strategy measured. CONCLUSIONS: While there is room for improvement in both groups, these results contribute to our understanding of subgroup differences and similarities in the complex behavioral issues surrounding successful weight management. Larger studies with more representative samples are needed to confirm these findings and inform future interventions.
Authors: Archana Jaiswal McEligot; Juliet McMullin; Ka'ala Pang; Momi Bone; Shauna Winston; Rebekah Ngewa; Sora Park Tanjasiri Journal: Hawaii J Med Public Health Date: 2012-05
Authors: Janet L Thomas; Diana W Stewart; Ian M Lynam; Christine M Daley; Christie Befort; Robyn M Scherber; Andrea E Mercurio; Kolawole S Okuyemi; Jasjit S Ahluwalia Journal: Am J Health Behav Date: 2009 Jul-Aug
Authors: K Kozłowska; A Szczecińska; W Roszkowski; A Brzozowska; C Alfonso; C Fjellstrom; C Morais; N A Nielsen; C Pfau; A Saba; B Sidenvall; A Turrini; M Raats; M Lumbers Journal: J Nutr Health Aging Date: 2008-12 Impact factor: 4.075
Authors: Ann Smith Barnes; G Kenneth Goodrick; Valory Pavlik; Jennifer Markesino; Donna Y Laws; Wendell C Taylor Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2007-04-06 Impact factor: 5.128