Obesity Status and Body Satisfaction of African American College Women

1. Obesity Status and Body Satisfaction of African American College Women Delores C. S. James, PhD, RD, LD, FASHA Associate Professor Jennifer R. Bonds Undergraduate Researcher University of Florida Gainesville, FL

2. Obesity Prevalence • Obesity has doubled among American adults since 1980 • African Americans have higher rates of obesity and weight related diseases • African American women have a higher rate of overweight and obesity than African American men

3. Obesity Prevalence • In 1999, the greatest increase was among young adults ages 18 to 29 • In 1997, one in five college students was overweight • One third of African American college students were overweight in 1995 • African American female students were more likely to be overweight than their White and Hispanic counterparts

4. Goals • To assess obesity status and body satisfaction among African American college females • To examine differences in these variables between a predominately white university and a historically black college and university (HBCU)

5. Methods and Procedures • Convenient sample • 402 undergraduate women of African descent • Two public universities in Florida • University of Florida • Florida A&M University (HBCU) • Self-administered survey • IRB approval from both campuses • Recruited from sororities, campus organizations, and various places frequented by students • Students received a cup as an incentive

6. School Characteristics • UF • 48,765 students • 7.4% African American/Black • FAMU • 13, 067 students • 93.4% African American/Black • Both schools offer doctoral program

7. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) • 135 typically small undergraduate institutions • Produce 40 percent of this country’s Black graduates • Most located in the South

8. Demographics *p <.05; **p <.0001

9. Academic Classification by School

10. Housing • 55% off-campus apartments with roommates • 26% lived in the dorms • 13% lived alone in off-campus apartments • 6% lived at home with relatives. • Students at the FAMU were significantly more likely to live at home with relatives, live alone off campus, and live with roommates off campus, while students at the UF were significantly more likely to live in the dorms (p<.0001).

11. Housing by School

12. Weight Status in College • 51% gained weight • 24% lost weight • 26% stayed the same • Students at FAMU were (significantly) more likely to report weight gain in college (p<.01)

13. BMI • BMI were calculated based on self-reported weight and height • Everyone 25.24±5.56 (overweight) • FAMU 25.62±6.00 (overweight) • UF 24.89±5.10 (normal, high end) • There was no significant difference between schools on BMI

14. BMI Classification of Respondents BMI Class • 56% Healthy 18.5-24.9 • 25% Overweight 25-29.9 • 17% Obese ≥30 • 2% Underweight <18.5

15. BMI by Academic Classification

16. BMI by Housing • BMI varied significantly by Housing • At home 27.83±8.20 (overweight)** • Apt, alone 27.719±6.56 (overweight)** • Apt, others 24.62±4.76 (normal, high end) • On campus 24.61±4.96 (normal, high end) • **p<.0001

17. BMI by Housing

18. Weight Perception • BMI varied significantly by weight perception • Respondents described their weight based on five categories • Underweight • Just right • Slightly overweight • Very overweight • Extremely overweight • No significant difference by school

19. BMI by Weight Perception

20. BMI and Weight Satisfaction • Respondents also were asked to rate their level of satisfaction with their weight. • 37% were satisfied/very satisfied with their weight, 36% were somewhat satisfied, and 27% were dissatisfied/very dissatisfied with their weight. • Weight satisfaction did not vary by school (p>.05). • However, ANOVA revealed that BMI varied significantly by weight satisfaction (p<.0001). • Those who were dissatisfied were in the overweight or obese category and those who were satisfied were in the healthy range

21. BMI by Weight Satisfaction

22. Thoughts about Weight • Respondents were asked how often they thought about their weight. • 13% a few times a day • 38% almost everyday • 27% a few times a month • 22% rarely/never think • There was no significant difference by school (p>.05). • However, ANOVA revealed that BMI varied by thoughts about weight (p<.0001).

23. BMI by Thoughts of Weight

24. Conclusion • This study found few significant differences in weight status and body satisfaction between African American college females attending a HBCU and a PWU. • Differences were due mainly to the demographic characteristics of the samples, particularly housing location.

25. Conclusion • Mean BMI for participants was 25.24±5.56, thus classifying them as being overweight. • However, further analysis by BMI category showed the majority (55%) had BMI in the healthy range. But, 25% of the respondent could be classified as overweight and 17% could be classified as obese • 27% were very dissatisfied/dissatisfied and this was correlated with high BMI

26. Implications for College Health • Consider the housing arrangements, i.e. whether the off-campus students live alone, at home with relatives, or with roommates. • Need to specifically target students who live off campus

27. Implications for College Health • Weight management programs should focus on maintaining a healthy weight throughout the entire college career, not just during the freshmen year.

28. Study Limitations • Convenient sample • Self-selection bias • Self reported weight and height • BMI was used as the sole measure to classify participants’ weight • Small sample size. Larger sample may have found more differences between schools