Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
J Prim Care Community Health. 2022 Jan-Dec;13:21501319221098519. doi: 10.1177/21501319221098519.
Black women living in Prince George's (PG) County, Maryland, have high rates of overweight and obesity. Obesity significantly impacts Black women, leading to poor physical and mental health, decreased social well-being, and a financial strain on the healthcare system. Despite living in an affluent area and having middle to high incomes and high education levels, Black women living in PG County have difficulty managing their weight. This study explores how social and cultural factors and social networks impact the weight of Black women living in PG County, Maryland. A qualitative case study design guided by social cognitive theory was employed to conduct semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 15 women. Key social and cultural factors (income, family network, peer network, and living in PG County) influenced participants' attitudes and behaviors toward their weight and strategies to manage their weight. Additionally, participants expressed that Black culture is more accepting of larger and curvier body types, and this reinforces a positive body image and less desire to achieve an ideal BMI. Participants also expressed that COVID-19 impacted their weight management strategies. This study adds to the literature by better explaining some of the underlying factors that influence decision-making around weight management among Black women who live in PG County, Maryland.
马里兰州乔治王子县（PG）的黑人女性超重和肥胖率很高。肥胖对黑人女性的影响很大，导致身体和心理健康状况不佳、社会福利下降，以及医疗保健系统的财务压力。尽管生活在一个富裕的地区，拥有中等至高等收入和高教育水平，PG 县的黑人女性在控制体重方面仍存在困难。本研究探讨了社会和文化因素以及社交网络如何影响生活在马里兰州 PG 县的黑人女性的体重。本研究采用社会认知理论指导的定性案例研究设计，对 15 名女性进行了半结构式访谈和焦点小组讨论。关键的社会和文化因素（收入、家庭网络、同伴网络和居住在 PG 县）影响了参与者对体重的态度和行为，以及他们管理体重的策略。此外，参与者表示，黑人文化更能接受更大和更圆润的体型，这强化了积极的身体形象和较少追求理想 BMI 的愿望。参与者还表示，COVID-19 影响了他们的体重管理策略。本研究通过更好地解释一些影响马里兰州 PG 县黑人女性管理体重决策的潜在因素，为文献增添了内容。
