Dissatisfaction with body size among low-income, postpartum black women.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the body size perceptions of low-income, postpartum Black women.


METHODS
Prospective, exploratory survey using a culturally sensitive figure rating scale, to assess body size perceptions.


METHODS
Four inner city clinics in Washington, DC.


METHODS
Low-income, postpartum Black women (N= 105).


METHODS
A validated, culturally sensitive figure rating scale was used to assess perception of current, typical, healthy, and preferred body sizes of participants. Derived scores were used to assess other body image measures.


METHODS
Measures were mean scores of perceived sizes and derived scores representing body size satisfaction, adherence to typical size, and health ideal size.


RESULTS
Over 75% of subjects exhibited dissatisfaction with current body size. The perceived size for the typical (reference) woman was larger and not representative of the perceived healthy or preferred sizes of the sample. No difference between preferred and healthy sizes was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Two thirds of the participants were dissatisfied with their current body size and over half desired weight loss. The lack of difference between preferred and healthy body sizes suggests desire for a body size that meets both cultural standards of attractiveness and personal standards of health. Nursing opportunity for engaging in anticipatory interventions is highlighted.
Boyington
Josephine
J
Institute for Health, Social and Community Research, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA. jboyington@shawu.edu
Johnson
Allan
A
Carter-Edwards
Lori
L
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D049628:Body Size; D004219:District of Columbia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D011203:Poverty; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health