Psychosociocultural Contributors to Maladaptive Eating Behaviors in African American Youth: Recommendations and Future Directions

Childhood overweight and obesity disproportionately affects African Americans, and these children benefit less from standard pediatric weight management treatment programs compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Maladaptive eating behavior has been identified as a behavioral contributor to obesity and is also associated with the development of nonrestrictive eating disorders over time. Unique psychosociocultural factors have been identified that may promote higher risk for maladaptive eating behaviors in African American children beyond the effects of economic disparity. To best treat this group, it is important for practitioners to have a thorough understanding of these factors. We review several of these considerations and describe ways they may interact to contribute to the subsequent development of maladaptive eating behaviors and increased weight. Recommendations are made regarding how attention to these factors could be incorporated into current pediatric weight management treatments to better serve this population via a patient-centered care approach. Future directions will also be discussed.