Learning Objective #1: Discuss the relationship between advertising culture and body image in American culture

Learning Objective #2: Use an ecological framework to discuss the impact of obesity in African American women

---

Background: African American women (AAW) have the highest rates of overweight and obesity of any racial or gender group. Research attention has been given to the role of nutrition and physical inactivity and obesity prevalence in AAW. However, evidence suggests that sociocultural factors may also contribute to obesity. AAW have been found to experience less self-esteem disturbances, body image disturbances, and body size dissatisfaction at higher body mass indexes compared to Caucasian women. African American men and women have been found to favor larger body sizes in AAW. Theses sociocultural factors translate into social constructions of weight and weight perceptions, and impact obesity prevalence in AAW.

Purpose: To develop a culturally sensitive measure of perceptions regarding weight in AAW.

Methods: A cultural studies analysis of the historical representation of AAW in American culture and a literature review from 1980 – 2004 using MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PSYCHINFO was conducted.

Results: No culturally sensitive measure of perceptions regarding weight in AAW was discovered. A 28-item culturally-specific measure, the Weight Perception and Control Scale (WPCS), was constructed to assess perceptions of weight in AAW. The measure was derived from a concept analysis of weight and overweight. It contains four subscales: attitudes toward weight, self-image and weight control, social support for weight control, and weight management. Items are scored on a 5-point Likert scale with one indicating “strongly disagree” and five representing “strongly agree”. Total scale scores range from 28 – 140.

Discussion: Findings from the cultural studies analysis and literature review regarding obesity, weight, and AAW will be discussed. Pilot data on the psychometric properties of the WPCS in a sample of 40 AAW will be presented.