Tirzah R. Spencer, PhD, MPH, Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University, Stanford University School of Medicine, Hoover Pavilion, Rm. N 229, 211 Quarry Rd., Stanford, CA 94305-5705, 650-498-7775, tirzahs@stanford.edu

"Society is important in public health because it profoundly influences the lives and thus the health of individuals." (p.63) The interconnectedness described by Geoffrey Rose between individuals and a society as it relates to health is useful given that women, and in particular women of color, often view themselves in relationship to others (e.g., grandmother, wife, friend). In addition, African American (AA) and Latino American (LA) females are disproportionately overrepresented as having chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hypertension. AA girls (n=164) and LA girls (n=158) in the 4th ¨C 8th grade (ages 9 to 15) were drawn from a baseline assessment in a northeastern city during the spring of 2002. Within this sample of girls, a total of 52% were at risk for overweight or were overweight (WHP °Ý 85). Forty-five percent of AA girls and 62% of LA girls were overweight. Given the health status of AA and LA females and factors attributed to preventable chronic conditions associated with excess morbidity and mortality among these groups, it is the belief that we can change not only health behaviors of individuals, but also change the model in which health care is delivered by changing how we think about, define, and address population-based health. This poster seeks to explore individual and environmental (family and structural) factors that contribute to the overweight status of 4th ¨C 8th grade AA and LA girls.

Rose, G. The Strategy of Preventive Medicine. Oxford University Press, New York: Oxford Medical Publications; 1992.

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