269391 Definitions of overweight and obesity among African American women: Overweight is not “too fat”

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 2:45 PM - 3:00 PM

Elizabeth Lynch, PhD , Preventive Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
John Kane, MS , Department of Preventive Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Brad Appelhans, PhD , Department of Preventive Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Prevalence of overweight is higher in African Americans than whites, and African Americans are more likely than whites to underestimate their weight. In obese women, underestimation of body size is associated with greater weight gain over time. It is unknown whether underestimation of weight by African Americans is due to: a) use of different sociocultural definitions of overweight, or b) biased perception due to higher weight. The current study addresses the question of how black women define the terms overweight and obese and whether their own body weight influences those definitions. A figure rating scale was used to elicit definitions of overweight, obese, and “too fat” from 69 African American women with a mean BMI of 31.8. Participants also selected the figure that represents their current body size. Current body size and definitions of overweight, obese, and “too fat” were assessed in relation to participant weight. Definitions of body weight terms did not vary by self-reported weight status of participants. Among the 25% of participants with BMI ≥ 35, 65% did not classify their current body size as obese and 29% did not classify their current body size as overweight. Results suggest that overweight body sizes are not considered too fat and that body sizes are not considered too fat or obese until BMI exceeds 40. Lay definitions of body weight terms may differ dramatically from medical definitions and this difference may serve as a barrier to effective communication between patients and physicians about the health effects of excess adiposity.

Learning Areas:
Communication and informatics
Diversity and culture
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
Describe definitions of overweight and obesity among African American women in this sample. Discuss implications of definitions on health-related behaviors.

Keywords: Obesity, Communication

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I conducted this and other research on obesity and cultural beliefs among African Americans.
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.