title: A phenomenological study of obesity and physical activity in southern African American older women.
abstract: African American women are more likely to be classified as overweight or obese than European American women and little is known about this phenomenon. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of overweight and obese African American older women living in the southern regions of the United States. Semistructured, audiotaped interviews were conducted to elicit narratives from nine participants. Interview data were transcribed verbatim and then coded and analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological analysis framework. Three major categories emerged: impact of health conditions, incongruent perceptions, and the desire for independence. The focus of culturally appropriate interventions aimed at increasing physical activity for this group should incorporate activities that will help them remain independent, because weight loss is not a primary motivator.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
authors.forename: Pamela G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.forename: Yvonne D
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Eaves
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Vance
authors.forename: Linda D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Moneyham
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004522:Educational Status; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D050177:Overweight / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012649:Self Concept; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015144:Southeastern United States