OVERWEIGHT EXPERIENCE OF THE OLDER BLACK WOMAN.
Contributors: University of Miami.
Published: 1993
Number of pages: 214
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Public Health.; Biology, Entomology.
Description: Obesity is a complex, public health and personal problem in the United States. Numerous practitioners have studied this problem for many years, yet the prevalence and scope of obesity continues to escalate. The older Black woman is particularly vulnerable to the ravages of obesity and ranks the highest in the United States in prevalence of obesity and its related disorders, such as stroke, diabetes and hypertension.

This research combined qualitative and quantitative methods in order to study perception of health, weight, and body image of 20 non-obese and 34 obese older Black women. Instruments used were the Lifestyle Profile, My Body Right Now Scale, the Photo Test, and a semi-structured interview. Data analysis revealed few differences in life-style but vast differences in body image and feelings about obese status between these groups. A theoretical model of obesity and a model of health for this particular group of women was developed from the data. The core concept of "emotional eating" emanating from feelings of powerlessness emerged from the interviews with participants.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-06, Section: B, page: 2997.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, 1993.

School code: 0125.