Eating as a cultural expression of caring among Afro-Caribbean and African American women: understanding the cultural dimensions of obesity.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies focused on obesity and weight management have ignored the cultural uniqueness of Afro-Caribbean individuals. The purpose of this study was to examine the cultural context for notions of good health and health practices, and perception of obesity and weight management, among African American and Caribbean American women.


METHODS
Four focus groups of Afro-Caribbean and African American women (age 40 and older) were conducted between May and July of 2007 to explore cultural factors related to physical activity, healthy eating and weight management.


RESULTS
Cultural variation was observed among Afro-Caribbean and African American woman in terms of indigenous traditions of food and food preparation, and perceptions of obesity.


CONCLUSIONS
In the development of community-based interventions to counter trends towards obesity among people of African descent, it may be important not to assume that 'one size fits all' cultures.
Bramble
Joy
J
Times Community Service, Baltimore, USA.
Cornelius
Llewellyn Joseph
LJ
Simpson
Gaynell
G
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044383:Black People; D017691:Caribbean Region / Q000208:ethnology; D003153:Community Health Services; D003469:Culture; D004032:Diet; D004645:Empathy; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D015430:Weight Gain