Elizabeth B Lynch1, John Kane2. 1. Department of Preventive Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Electronic address: elizabeth_lynch@rush.edu. 2. Department of Preventive Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess body size perception among African American women using cultural definitions of body size terms. METHODS: Sixty-nine African American women classified Body Image Scale figures as overweight, obese, and too fat, and independently selected the figure they considered closest to their current body size. RESULTS: Body size classifications of figures did not vary by participant weight status. Overweight figures were not considered too fat. For 86% of overweight (body mass index [BMI], 25-29.9) women and 40% of obese (BMI > 30) women, the self figure was not defined as overweight, obese, or too fat. Among participants with BMI ≥ 35, 65% did not classify their self figure as obese and 29% did not classify their self figure as overweight. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The difference between cultural (folk) and medical definitions of body size terms may serve as a barrier to effective communication between patients and providers about health effects of excess adiposity.
OBJECTIVE: To assess body size perception among African American women using cultural definitions of body size terms. METHODS: Sixty-nine African American women classified Body Image Scale figures as overweight, obese, and too fat, and independently selected the figure they considered closest to their current body size. RESULTS: Body size classifications of figures did not vary by participant weight status. Overweight figures were not considered too fat. For 86% of overweight (body mass index [BMI], 25-29.9) women and 40% of obese (BMI > 30) women, the self figure was not defined as overweight, obese, or too fat. Among participants with BMI ≥ 35, 65% did not classify their self figure as obese and 29% did not classify their self figure as overweight. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The difference between cultural (folk) and medical definitions of body size terms may serve as a barrier to effective communication between patients and providers about health effects of excess adiposity.
Authors: Michael W Ramsey; Jacqueline Reese-Smith; Jennifer L Lemacks; Michael B Madson; Tammy Greer; LaShaundrea Bradford; Sermin Aras; June A Gipson; Dawn B McLin Journal: J Nutr Educ Behav Date: 2022-05-12 Impact factor: 2.822
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