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Relationship between body mass index and perceived body size among African American churchgoers in Baltimore City
Author(s) -
Ganz Ollie T,
Pamela Surkan,
Martins Paula,
Summers Amber,
Gittelsohn Joel
Publication year - 2011
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.25.1_supplement.971.33
Subject(s) - body mass index , african american , demography , ethnic group , gerontology , medicine , psychology , type 2 diabetes , body type , diabetes mellitus , endocrinology , political science , sociology , ethnology , law , anatomy
Perceptions of body image vary between different ethnic groups. We explored the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and body image among African‐American churchgoers. Participants included 139 adult respondents, 32% males and 68% females from 6 African‐American churches in Baltimore. The data was collected as part of the Healthy Bodies Healthy Souls study, a program aimed at preventing diabetes by improving diet and exercise among African‐American church goers in Baltimore City. Body self image, preferred body type, and healthy body type were assessed at baseline using a 9‐item scale of figure drawings intended for urban African‐Americans. We calculated discrepancy between the individual's assessment of his/her own body type to what he/she considered ideal and healthy. For participants with higher BMIs there was a larger discrepancy between his/her perceived body size to preferred body type (R =0.56, p <0.001) as supposed to those with lower BMIs. Higher BMI was also associated with large discrepancies between perceived body size and healthy body size (R =0.64, p <0.001). African‐American congregants with higher BMIs had a larger discrepancy between their perceived body self‐image and the body type they consider desirable and healthy, implying that such individuals may be motivated to adopt health behaviors to lower BMI. Grant Funding Source : American Diabetes Association