Open AccessRacial and Socioeconomic Differences in the Weight-Loss Experiences of Obese Women
Author(s) -
Esa M. Davis,
Jeanne M. Clark,
Joseph A. Carrese,
Tiffany L. Gary,
Lisa A. Cooper
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2004.047050
Subject(s) - socioeconomic status , psychological intervention , weight loss , gerontology , subculture (biology) , weight management , focus group , race (biology) , african american , social class , psychology , obesity , medicine , demography , sociology , environmental health , gender studies , political science , psychiatry , population , botany , anthropology , law , biology , ethnology
Focus groups stratified by race and socioeconomic status were used to examine obese women's experiences with weight-loss methods. Six themes emerged: failure of weight maintenance, use of psychological and spiritual approaches, role of family influences and societal expectations, role of African American subculture, method affordability, and racial differences in weight-loss methods. Tailored weight-management interventions for women, particularly African Americans and those of low socioeconomic status, should account for features of African American subculture and address affordability concerns, include maintenance strategies that incorporate psychological and spiritual principles, and target family attitudes and behaviors.