243393 Examining the relationship between disordered eating and intimate partner violence (IPV) among African-American and African-Caribbean women

Monday, October 31, 2011: 1:30 PM

Marguerite Lucea, PhD, MPH, RN , School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Silver Spring, MD
Lucine Francis, BA , School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Kaitlan Gibbons, MA , Argosy University, Arlington, VA
Richelle Bolyard, MHS , The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD
Jacquelyn Campbell, PhD, RN, FAAN , Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD
African-Caribbean and African American Women's Study Team , School of Nursing, University of Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
     
Background: Limited research has examined disordered eating (DE) among African-American and African-Caribbean women. Although some studies have found prevalence rates of disordered eating, such as binge-eating, among these women ranging from 5.82% - 8.4%, few explored the contributing factors to the development of DE among these women. This study assesses the relationship between DE and several factors including IPV experiences among a sample of African-Caribbean and African-American women.

Methods: A multi-site (Baltimore, MD and the US Virgin Islands) case-control study compares 150 cases to 150 controls recruited from health clinics. Eligible women were of African descent, aged 18-55, with an intimate relationship within 2 years. Data were collected on demographics, IPV, and eating related issues such as under-eating, overeating, and/or loss of appetite within the past year. Chi-square, t-tests, and logistic regression analyses evaluated associations.

Results: Overall, nearly 29% of the participants in the study reported having DE. Approximately 35% of women who have experienced IPV report having experienced DE, compared to 15% of those non-abused women (c2=43.9, p<.0001). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that even when controlling for other factors, abused women were at higher risk for DE than their non-abused counterparts.

Conclusions Although the prevalence of DE has not reached epidemic proportions among African-American women, it is important as clinicians to identify unique stressors such as IPV that could put this group at risk for DE, particularly binge eating. Carefully designed screening tools for DE would benefit this population, particularly those who report experiencing IPV.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Public health or related nursing

Learning Objectives:
Identify at least 3 risk factors for disordered eating among African-Caribbean and African-American women. Describe the relationship between disordered eating and intimate partner violence among this sample of women. Name at least 2 considerations for assessment of disordered eating and IPV among at-risk women.

Keywords: Women's Health, Violence Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the lead author on the paper associated with this presentation.
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.

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