Influences on diet and physical activity among middle-class African American 8- to 10-year-old girls at risk of becoming obese.
OBJECTIVE
To understand diet, physical activity, and inactivity influences among preadolescent African American girls at risk of becoming obese.


METHODS
Interviews and group qualitative discussions (i.e., mixed qualitative research method) were conducted separately with 8- to 10-year-old African American girls and their parents.


METHODS
Greater Houston, Texas.


METHODS
Eight- to 10-year-old African American girls above the 50th percentile body mass index with a home computer (n = 82) and a parent (n = 74).


METHODS
Influences on dietary practices and physical activity/inactivity among preadolescent African American girls.


METHODS
Discussions were audiotaped, manually recorded, transcribed, and coded. The primary coder analyzed the transcribed notes. The secondary coder reviewed and critiqued the initial coding.


RESULTS
Parents and girls were concerned about overweight and viewed physical activity as a weight control practice. Mothers facilitated daughters' physical activity, while fathers and siblings were coparticipants. Girls had access to physical activity equipment and facilities. Snack food items and carbonated beverages were often limited by the parents, and water consumption was encouraged. Discrepancies were apparent between girls' and parents' responses.


CONCLUSIONS
Parental convenience and girls' food preferences influenced dietary intake. Obesity prevention programs should capitalize on parental motivation for their child's health and provide practical strategies to facilitate healthful eating and physical activity.
Thompson
Victoria J
VJ
Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. vjt@bcm.tmc.eu
Baranowski
Tom
T
Cullen
Karen W
KW
Rittenberry
Latroy
L
Baranowski
Janice
J
Taylor
Wendell C
WC
Nicklas
Theresa
T
D001741:Black or African American; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010290:Parents