178944 Formative research in a multi-cultural public health environment to engage African American women in achieving a healthy weight

Monday, October 27, 2008: 2:30 PM

Eleanor Long, MSPH , Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Sharen Anthony, MFCC RD , PHFE-WIC - (Public Health Foundation), Irwindale, CA
Deebra Smith, MPH (6/08) , Department of Health Sciences, Public Health Education, California State University, Northridge, North Hollywood, CA
Yamin Aung, MPH (6/08) , Department of Health Sciences, Public Health Education, California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA
Deborah Glik, ScD , School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA
Cynthia Harding, MPH , Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Design: Qualitative, exploratory study; data were collected in five focus group sessions using a semi-structured questionnaire.

Subjects/Setting: 14 African American women aged 18 to 44 were recruited at various Women, Infants and Children sites in Los Angeles County.

Analysis: Recurring themes within group discussion were identified by three independent investigators, one who was ethnicity concordant.

Results: Information from this qualitative study demonstrates that beliefs, economic and environmental factors can be barriers to successful prevention and treatment of overweight. When body image and cultural norms were discussed, overweight participants reported having a positive body image. They stated that being overweight is accepted and desirable among African Americans. Several whose weight reflected a healthy BMI stated that they wanted to gain weight and felt too skinny. Many participants questioned the relevance of the BMI charts for their population. The women prefer health information and education delivered by African American doctors and health professionals. Barriers to healthy eating include convenience of fast food, a taste for fast foods, and lack of access and affordability of quality foods. Many report working long hours, stress and lack of time and skill to prepare healthy food. Regular physical activity barriers include time, safety and childcare.

Conclusions: To improve health promotion for African American populations, cultural and psychological factors distinctive to this underserved population and barriers they articulate should be considered when developing weight loss interventions.

Learning Objectives:
Learning Objectives: By the end of the session, the participant will be able to discuss the results of focus groups conducted that revealed the feelings, values and experiences that shape how African American women think and act in relation to healthy weight, physical activity and eating. By the end of the session, the participant will be able to list barriers that must be addressed to provide culturally appropriate health promotion messages to African American women in Los Angeles County

Keywords: African American, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Health Education Coordinator for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Programs. I hold a Master's degree in Public Health. This project received no commercial support.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.