Flynn K J, Fitzgibbon M
Northwestern University Medical School, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Ann Behav Med. 1998 Winter;20(1):13-24. doi: 10.1007/BF02893804.
The prevalence of obesity among Black women has reached epidemic proportions. Some researchers have suggested that the body images of Black females may contribute to their high risk for obesity by inhibiting motivation for weight control. While a number of empirical studies have examined the body images of Black females, findings are complex and at times, inconsistent. For example, some studies show that Black females consider overweight bodies more attractive, while other studies show that Black females prefer normal-weight bodies. Divergent findings may be due, in part, to the multidimensional nature of body image. Inconsistencies may also be due to differences between the Black females sampled. Methodological problems, including the use of measures that have been validated among Black females, the use of various weight-for-height standards, and the inconsistent analyses of or lack of physiological data, also may contribute to conflicting results. This review addresses the complexity of body image findings among a heterogeneous Black female population and the relationship between their body images and obesity risk. Implications for effective obesity treatment programs and suggestions for improvements in future body image studies are also discussed.
黑人女性中的肥胖流行率已达到流行程度。一些研究人员认为，黑人女性的身体形象可能通过抑制体重控制的动机，导致她们患肥胖症的风险较高。虽然许多实证研究已经考察了黑人女性的身体形象，但研究结果很复杂，有时甚至相互矛盾。例如，一些研究表明，黑人女性认为超重的身体更具吸引力，而其他研究则表明，黑人女性更喜欢正常体重的身体。不同的研究结果可能部分归因于身体形象的多维度性质。不一致也可能是由于所抽样的黑人女性之间的差异。方法学问题，包括使用在黑人女性中得到验证的测量方法、使用各种身高体重标准，以及对生理数据的分析不一致或缺乏生理数据，也可能导致结果相互矛盾。本综述探讨了异质性黑人女性群体中身体形象研究结果的复杂性，以及她们的身体形象与肥胖风险之间的关系。还讨论了对有效肥胖治疗方案的启示以及对未来身体形象研究改进的建议。
