 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
|
| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Delores C.S. James, PhD, RD, LD, Health Science Education, University of Florida, PO Box 118210, Room 5 FLG, Gainesville, FL 32611, 352-392-0583, djames@hhp.ufl.edu and Ranjita Misra, PhD, CHES, Health&Kinesiology Department, Texas A&M University, 4243 TAMU, 158P Read Building, College Station, TX 77843-4243.
The goals of this research were to (1) assess levels of body satisfaction among African Americans and to (2) test a conceptual model for explaining body satisfaction among African Americans. A self-administered survey was completed by 763 African Americans adults. The mean BMI for both men (26.61±4.23) and women (26.44 ±5.80) were greater than 25, thus classifying them as being overweight. Sixty-two percent of respondents (n=463) tried to lose weight in the last 12 months; with significantly more women (70%) trying to lose weight than men (45%), (OR= 2.85, p<.0001). Significantly more men (40%) than women (24%) were satisfied or very satisfied with their weight (OR=3.2, p<.0001). Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data for model estimation. The final models has a CFI of .995, TLI of .99, and a RMSEA of .05 for females; CFI of .985, TLI of .97, and a RMSEA of .14 for males. Results provide support for provisional acceptance of the model for both males and females. The majority of regression weights in the model were noteworthy and significant indirect effects exits between current weight and body satisfaction (mediated by preferred weight and weight perception). This study documents the need to develop gender-specific programs weight control programs. The model clearly demonstrates that weight perceptions and preferred weights are critical in addressing body satisfaction and that weight control programs should be more gender-specific.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Obesity, African American
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.