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African American Women’s Perceptions of Their Own Weight Status Compared to Measured Weight Status
Author(s) -
Lofton Kristi Lewis,
Connell Carol L.,
Yadrick M. Kathy,
Brown Denise,
Bounds Wendy,
Sims Patricia,
Johnson James
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a1057
Subject(s) - demography , african american , perception , body weight , psychology , medicine , gerontology , sociology , ethnology , neuroscience
Previous research indicates that African American (AA) women may be more accepting of larger body sizes compared with women of other races. This study assessed whether AA women perceived their own weight status accurately, when compared with their actual weight classification. Participants were 528 AA females enrolling their children in five Head Start centers in a southern state. Participants were asked to report their height and weight and classify their weight status as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese on a self‐administered survey. Measured heights and weights were obtained by trained research assistants. Self reported data were compared to measured heights and weights, and computed BMI using NIH criteria. A chi‐square test of independence comparing women’s perceptions to actual weight classification was significant (χ 2 ( N = 528, df = 9) = 347.507, p < .000). Of the 528 participants, 415 had a BMI >30 kg/m 2 . 48.5% of the 103 women who perceived their weight status as normal were overweight and 78.8% of 312 women who perceived their weight status as overweight were obese. These results suggest a need for more culturally tailored programs for AA women that increase self awareness of weight status and its health consequences while promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors. Southern Rural Development Center Small Grant Program and ARS/USDA Coop Agreement #6251‐52000‐0020‐000.