The Perceptions and Experiences of African American Parents in the Management and Care of Obese Children

The Perceptions and Experiences of African American Parents in the Management and Care of Obese Children by Priscilla Ann Huggins MSA, Central Michigan University, 2005 BSN, North Carolina Central University, 1997 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University June 2017 Abstract Childhood obesity is a global concern among all ethnic groups. Childhood obesity is a problem that continues into adulthood, exacerbating the incidence of diseases such as diabetes or heart disease. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore, understand, and describe the perceptions and experiences of African American parents in the management and care of their obese or overweight children. This study used theChildhood obesity is a global concern among all ethnic groups. Childhood obesity is a problem that continues into adulthood, exacerbating the incidence of diseases such as diabetes or heart disease. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore, understand, and describe the perceptions and experiences of African American parents in the management and care of their obese or overweight children. This study used the health-belief model (HBM) as its theoretical foundation, focusing on the constructs of perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy. This research study used an interview tool and an 8-item demographic questionnaire to explore and describe how African American parents managed the care of obese children between the ages of 6 and 11. Interviews were transcribed and then inductively analyzed for themes. Parents reported having a difficult time deciding how to implement successful overweight strategies on a daily basis. Parents felt helpless in supporting their child’s efforts to lose weight. Parents shared that their child and family members participated in weight-loss activities such as making diet changes and physical activities. The implication for social change from this study is in providing local public health leaders with increased understanding of the personal experiences of African American parents in the management of overweight children. Findings may assist in effective program development for the targeted population. The Perceptions and Experiences of African American Parents in the Management and Care of Obese Children By Priscilla Ann Huggins MSA, Central Michigan University, 2005 BSN, North Carolina Central University, 1997 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University June 2017 Dedication This dissertation is in the memory of my deceased father, James Grady Simmons. Thanks for your guidance as a parent; teaching your daughter the importance of making personal sacrifices to help others in the delivery of community service. Acknowledgment I first want to thank God for keeping my mind sane as I completed this tedious dissertation process, due to multiple obstacles. My husband Anthony has been my support from the beginning to the end of this dissertation journey. I am grateful for my mother, papa, sister, brothers, children, grandchildren, and entire Simmons and Huggins family members for your prayers and understanding when I was absent from many family events. I will be forever grateful to my Walden family for your words of encouragement and always giving advice during this process of dissertation completion; especially Crystal Winn, Andrea Davis, Cynthia Bracey, Nadia Muhammad, and my PhD advisor Bridgette Williams. Thank you to former coworkers, Corine Cook and Mary Dunlap, for your prayers and spiritual guidance. A special Thank you for former coworker, Jeffery Jordan, for always keeping my computer updated. Thanks to my committee members for their time and expertise in the completion of this dissertation process: My Chair, Dr. Precilla Belin, Dr. Lawrence Fulton, and Dr. Joseph Robare.