title: African American women and weight loss: disregarding environmental challenges.
abstract: In the United States, almost 80% of African American women are either overweight or obese. In this study, 46 low-income African American women struggling with weight issues participated in structured interviews using a social cognitive theory framework. Participants shared their social cognitive theory related weight loss thoughts and their perceived weight loss obstacles. Results suggest that although participants' primary weight-related obstacles were environment-based, for example, unsafe environments in which to engage in regular exercise, they more often offered individual-based solutions. The study concludes with a discussion of media advocacy as a tool that can be used to promote environmental solutions.
authors.affiliation: College of Communication, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60604, USA. tmastin@depaul.edu
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mastin
authors.forename: Shelly
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Campo
authors.forename: Natoshia M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Askelson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012931:Social Environment; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D015431:Weight Loss; D016387:Women's Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult