Perceived body image among African Americans with type 2 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To assess current, desired and best body image in the opposite sex and examine correlates of body image dissatisfaction.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional analysis at baseline of 185 (141 women, 44 men) African Americans with type 2 diabetes in Project Sugar 1, a randomized controlled trial of primary care-based interventions to improve diabetic control.


RESULTS
Women had a significantly lower desired body image compared to their current body image (BMI approximately 27.7 versus approximately 35.3). Men preferred a body image for women that was similar to the body image that women desired for themselves (BMI approximately 28.3 versus approximately 27.7). Significant correlates of body image dissatisfaction included self-perception of being overweight and attempting weight-loss (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Among overweight and obese African-American women with diabetes, it is important to first address an individual's perceived body image, perceived risk of disease, desired body image, and weight-loss perceptions. In addition to the aesthetic benefits of weight-loss, there is a need to focus on the health benefits in order to intervene among African Americans with diabetes.
Baptiste-Roberts
Kesha
K
Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Gary
Tiffany L
TL
Bone
Lee R
LR
Hill
Martha N
MN
Brancati
Frederick L
FL
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D015142:Baltimore; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012928:Social Desirability