Samantha Ellis1, Katherine Rosenblum2, Alison Miller3, Karen E Peterson4, Julie C Lumeng5. 1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI. 2. Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI. 3. Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI. 4. Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Human Nutrition Program, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI. 5. Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI; Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Human Nutrition Program, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI. Electronic address: jlumeng@umich.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine how low-income, US women understand the meanings of the terms "overweight" and "obese." METHODS: Low-income women (n = 145; 72% white, 12% black, and 8% Hispanic; 59% obese and 21% overweight) each participated in an individual semi-structured interview during which they were asked to explain what the terms "overweight" and "obese" mean to them. Responses were transcribed and the constant comparative method was used to identify themes. RESULTS: Three themes emerged: (1) The terms are offensive and describe people who are unmotivated and depressed and do not care about themselves; (2) obese is an extreme weight (eg, 500 lb and being immobile); (3) being overweight is a matter of opinion; if a woman is "comfortable in her own skin" and "feels healthy," she is not overweight. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Health education focused on obesity should consider that vulnerable populations might consider the terms "overweight" and "obese" offensive and stigmatizing.
OBJECTIVE: To determine how low-income, US women understand the meanings of the terms "overweight" and "obese." METHODS: Low-income women (n = 145; 72% white, 12% black, and 8% Hispanic; 59% obese and 21% overweight) each participated in an individual semi-structured interview during which they were asked to explain what the terms "overweight" and "obese" mean to them. Responses were transcribed and the constant comparative method was used to identify themes. RESULTS: Three themes emerged: (1) The terms are offensive and describe people who are unmotivated and depressed and do not care about themselves; (2) obese is an extreme weight (eg, 500 lb and being immobile); (3) being overweight is a matter of opinion; if a woman is "comfortable in her own skin" and "feels healthy," she is not overweight. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Health education focused on obesity should consider that vulnerable populations might consider the terms "overweight" and "obese" offensive and stigmatizing.
Authors: A Romero-Corral; V K Somers; J Sierra-Johnson; R J Thomas; M L Collazo-Clavell; J Korinek; T G Allison; J A Batsis; F H Sert-Kuniyoshi; F Lopez-Jimenez Journal: Int J Obes (Lond) Date: 2008-02-19 Impact factor: 5.095