Comparison of lifestyles among obese and nonobese African American and European American women in the community.

BACKGROUND

Gender and race differences in preventive health behavior have been examined in several studies. A few race- and gender-specific studies of health-promoting activities have been conducted although none of these specifically addresses race, female gender, obesity, and health-promoting activities. Such a study would fill an important gap in the literature.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the effects of race and obesity on health-promoting behaviors in women.

METHOD

A comparative descriptive design was used with two levels of body size (obese and nonobese) and two levels of race (African American and European American).

RESULTS

Obese women scored lower than nonobese women on all Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) scales. African American women scored lower than European women only on nutrition.

CONCLUSIONS

Health promotion counseling should be considered for all obese women because obesity may be a mediating variable between race and health-promoting behaviors.