ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study sought to examine at what body mass index (BMI) body image discrepancy (BD) was reported in a community sample of 389 white, Hispanic, and black women. In addition, we assessed the trajectory of the BMI-BD relationship as BMI increases by ethnic group. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: All participants were assessed on height and weight and completed the Figure Rating Scale. RESULTS: We found no difference in the proportion of women in each ethnic group reporting BD. However, white women experienced BD at a lower BMI level (BMI = 24.6), and below the criterion for overweight (BMI = 25). In contrast, black and Hispanic women did not report BD until they were overweight (BMIs of 29.2 and 28.5, respectively). Compared with black and white women, Hispanic women registered increases in BD at smaller increases in BMI. DISCUSSION: These findings could have unhealthful implications for weight control behavior. The results encourage a closer look at ethnicity and BD, and their relationship to obesity and weight control.
Subject(s)
Body Image , Body Mass Index , Ethnicity , Obesity/ethnology , Acculturation , Adult , Black or African American , Female , Hispanic or Latino , Humans , Middle Aged , Obesity/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , White PeopleABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the severity and correlates of binge eating in White, Black, and Hispanic women. METHOD: Our sample consisted of 351 (55 White, 179 Black, and 117 Hispanic) women who were assessed on three proposed factors associated with binge eating (weight, depression, and ideal body image). RESULTS: Our results showed that binge eating symptoms were more severe in our sample of Hispanic versus Black or White women. Across all ethnic groups, women who binged more were heavier, more depressed, and preferred a slimmer body ideal. Binge eating severity was predicted by weight and depression in Hispanics and by depression in Whites. None of the proposed factors significantly influenced binge eating in Blacks. DISCUSSION: These results show ethnic differences in the correlates of binge eating and highlight the need for further comparative research on aberrant eating patterns.
Subject(s)
Black or African American/psychology , Feeding and Eating Disorders/psychology , Hispanic or Latino/psychology , White People/psychology , Adult , Body Image , Body Weight , Depression , Feeding and Eating Disorders/ethnology , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Risk Factors , Self ConceptABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Prevention efforts to reduce the morbidity and mortality disparity between blacks and whites in the United States present a national health priority. However, participation of blacks in prevention trials has been low. The present study reports successful recruitment processes from two economically diverse black populations. METHODS: The two studies were independent projects, but both were part of a nationally funded collaboration on cardiovascular health. "Hip Hop to Health" is a 4-year randomized controlled trial aimed at dietary fat reduction and increased exercise among inner-city black families. The Fat Reduction Intervention Trial in African-Americans project is a 5-year trial to reduce total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol intake among black families from a working class community. RESULTS: The two populations differed on demographic characteristics. Direct presentation was the most effective recruitment strategy in the "Hip Hop to Health" program. In contrast, telephone recruitment and neighborhood canvassing were the more successful strategies for FRITAA. CONCLUSIONS: Although both populations were black and at comparable cardiovascular disease risk, the differing demographics between the groups made different recruitment strategies necessary. This study documented the labor-intensive quality of successful recruitment, and results suggest that successful recruitment requires strategies tailored to the needs, experiences, and environment of the target group.
Subject(s)
Black or African American/psychology , Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Patient Selection , Primary Prevention , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic/psychology , Adult , Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology , Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology , Chicago , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Program Evaluation , Social Class , Socioeconomic Factors , Urban HealthABSTRACT
The authors explored changes in dietary behavior, nutrition knowledge, and parental support among inner-city, low-income, Hispanic American families. Thirty-eight families were randomly assigned to receive a 12-week, culture-specific dietary intervention or be in a control group. Results showed that parental support was related to changes in diet, nutrition knowledge, and attendance for both mothers and children. Dietary behavior changes (e.g., reduction in dietary fat) were seen only in the treatment group. Distribution of health-related pamphlets to the control group may have promoted cognitive changes (e.g., increased nutrition knowledge) seen in this low-literacy sample. Further research is needed to document behavioral changes after ethnic-specific interventions and the maintenance of those changes over time.
