Recorded presentation

Carolyn A. Corder, MS, RD, Department of Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University, School of Public Health, Loma Linda, CA 92354, 909-793-4010, DJC7@msn.com, Susanne B. Montgomery, PhD, MPH, Dept. of Health Promotion & Education, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Nicol Hall Room 1511, Loma Linda, CA 92350, Patti Herring, PhD, RN, School of Public Health, Department of Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall, Room 1501, Loma Linda, CA 92350, Ella Haddad, DrPH, RD, Department of Nutrition, Loma Linda University, School of Public Health, Loma Linda, CA 92354, and Mark Ghamsary, MS, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall, Hill Drive, Loma Linda, CA 92354.

Objectives: This study examined attitudes toward body weight, dieting behaviors, and frequency of protective food intake and exercise among Black/African American (AA) youth as related to risky behaviors and attitudes toward family, school, and community. Methods: Data from the 1999 and 2001 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys and 2000 local survey were analyzed for 699 middle and 840 high school students in the City of San Bernardino, California, aged 10 to 18 years, who self-identified as AA. Results: Chi square analysis suggests that AA students are the most satisfied with their body weight and most likely to try to maintain weight of the six racial/ethnic groups studied. Univariate analyses seem to indicate that AA middle school students’ beliefs about longevity and hopefulness for the future, thoughts of suicide, the importance of family, friends, and education, and smoking impact attitudes toward body weight. Among high school students school attendance, availability of after school sports and frequency of exercise, fear of violence at school, and attitude toward body weight, may be factors in frequency of consuming protective foods. Conclusions: Educational interventions for AA youth should affirm a generally positive attitude toward body weight. Further studies are needed to explore the role of family and peers in forming realistic attitudes toward body weight from an early age. The school environment appears to contribute in a variety of ways to healthy eating.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Describe two ethnic differences in youth perspectives on body weight and dieting and their intakes of protective foods.
• 2. Explain ethnic differences in youth approaches to weight change and patterns of protective food intake.
• 3. Identify strengths in Black/African American youth attitudes toward body weight and dieting.
• 4. List factors that interact with obesity risk among Black/African American youth.

Keywords: Youth, Culture

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation