title: Dissatisfaction with body size among low-income, postpartum black women.
abstract: 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.
authors: Institute for Health, Social and Community Research, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA. jboyington@shawu.edu
authors: Josephine
authors: J
authors: Boyington
authors: Allan
authors: A
authors: Johnson
authors: Lori
authors: L
authors: Carter-Edwards
mesh_terms: 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