On Edge: the impact of race-related vigilance on obesity status in African-Americans.
OBJECTIVE
Nearly half of African-Americans are classified as obese. Perceived racism has been associated with obesity, yet the internal experiences of racism have received little attention. African Americans who face racism may "ready themselves" to cope through survival strategies, including race-related vigilance. This study explores the association between race-related vigilance and obesity in African Americans.


METHODS
TheReactions to Racemodule of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (years 2002-2010) was used. Our sample size consisted of 12,214 African-Americans. Race-related vigilance was assessed as: "How often do you think about your race?"and classified as: never, < daily, daily, and > daily. Obesity was dichotomized as body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2vs. < 30 kg/m2using self-reported weight and height. Multivariable logistic models assessed the association between race-related vigilance and obesity.


RESULTS
Seventeen percent of respondents reported thinking about their race > daily; 14% daily; 31% < daily, and 39% reported never thinking about their race. Compared to those who reported never thinking about their race, the adjusted odds of obesity were 0.91, 95% CI: 0.72-1.15 among those thinking about their race <daily, 1.09, 95%CI: 0.81-1.46 among those thinking about their race daily, and 1.37, 95% CI: 1.07-1.76 among those thinking about their race > daily.


CONCLUSIONS
Frequently thinking about one's race was a risk factor for obesity in African-Americans in this study. Internalized impacts of racism captured through race-related vigilance may be particularly detrimental to African-Americans, driving their risk for obesity.
Clinical and Population Health Research Doctoral Program, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, Division of Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655 USA.
Lauren R
LR
Powell
Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655 USA.
William M
WM
Jesdale
Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655 USA, (508) 856-4098 - telephone, (508) 856-3840 - fax.
Stephenie C
SC
Lemon
African-Americans; Health disparity; race consciousness; racism