Abstract
Objective
To assess body size perception among African American women using cultural definitions
of body size terms.
Methods
Sixty-nine African American women classified Body Image Scale figures as overweight,
obese, and too fat, and independently selected the figure they considered closest
to their current body size.
Results
Body size classifications of figures did not vary by participant weight status. Overweight
figures were not considered too fat. For 86% of overweight (body mass index [BMI],
25–29.9) women and 40% of obese (BMI > 30) women, the self figure was not defined
as overweight, obese, or too fat. Among participants with BMI ≥ 35, 65% did not classify
their self figure as obese and 29% did not classify their self figure as overweight.
Conclusions and Implications
The difference between cultural (folk) and medical definitions of body size terms
may serve as a barrier to effective communication between patients and providers about
health effects of excess adiposity.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
March 9,
2014
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
