Black Women Diet Differently Than White Women
Overweight or obese white American women are more likely than black women to seek help with dieting.
This includes professional counseling, prescription medicine, suggestions from a trainer, and membership in a weight-loss support group.
So says a study of 120 Philadelphia women which appears in the latest issue of the journal, Ethnicity & Disease.
Both whites and blacks were concerned about body shape and weight. But body image motivated more white women to seek help with dieting.
Some experts suggest that black women may be less likely to attend weight loss groups led by white women. Or it may be that black women seek help from family members first.
Surprisingly, neither blacks nor whites said that obesity-related health concerns caused them to lose weight.
For both blacks and whites, exercise programs at work could be helpful.
It seems that all women, regardless of race, don’t focus on fitness enough because they’re too busy working and taking care of others.
But then, we already knew that, didn’t we, ladies?
Technorati Tags: diet, dieting, lose weight, obesity, overweight, weight loss, black women, white women
July 12th, 2007 at 10:13 am
I guess it just goes to show, no matter what your race, we’re all in it for vanity. None of us care enough about our health.
July 12th, 2007 at 10:35 am
That is for sure Tammi! I can’t believe that none of the women said that “obesity related health concerns” were enough to get them to lose weight. Unfortunately, vanity has always been my primary focus also. Black woman seem to have such a better body image than white woman (at least that’s what I’ve noticed from the people I know).
July 12th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
There’s no reason more weight loss groups can’t be led by black women. But when you get right down to it, what difference does it make who leads the group as long as we all benefit from each other’s experiences?
July 12th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
It sounds to me like black women are just more self-sufficient. Why is it such a bad thing if you don’t go to a weight loss group. Plenty of people diet on their own or ask family members for help. As long as black women aren’t being unfairly excluded, I don’t see the problem. I think if you find a diet or weight loss program you can handle on your own, you’re probably more likely to keep the weight off. I don’t like groups either.
July 12th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
I think the important point is that none of us are paying enough attention to fitness no matter how you decide to lose weight. Looking good is great, but feeling good is better.
July 12th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
African Americans have traditionally had poorer access to health care and they haven’t been treated as well even when they are in the system. At least that’s what I’ve read. That may explain why black women don’t seek professional help as often as white women for weight loss.
July 12th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
The message I get is we should stop living our lives for everyone else and start thinking about ourselves and our health before it’s too late.