Attitudes and behaviors related to weight control in two diverse populations.
BACKGROUND
Researchers have found that African-American women have concerns about their weight, but are less successful in their weight loss efforts compared to Caucasian women. Reasons for this disparity have not been explored in great detail. Identifying specific attitudes and behaviors that contribute to obesity in these subpopulations will help inform the design of interventions.


METHODS
This report compares specific attitudes and behaviors related to diet and exercise in two groups who are trying to lose weight: African-American women in Indianapolis (n = 80) and Caucasian women from the rural Midwest (n = 45). Data are from surveys that shared many common measures, but were otherwise not related to one another. The choice of measures was guided by a conceptual framework of self-management processes.


RESULTS
Compared to women in the urban study, women in the rural study report greater social support for behavior change, greater self-efficacy, and outcome expectations, and greater use of every strategy measured.


CONCLUSIONS
While there is room for improvement in both groups, these results contribute to our understanding of subgroup differences and similarities in the complex behavioral issues surrounding successful weight management. Larger studies with more representative samples are needed to confirm these findings and inform future interventions.
Nothwehr
Faryle
F
College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, 52242, USA. faryle-nothwehr@uiowa.edu
D001741:Black or African American; D001290:Attitude / Q000208:ethnology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D044465:White People