Association between body image disparity and culturally specific factors that affect weight in Black and White women

Despite the higher prevalence of obesity in African American women, the desire for thinness remains higher among White women. We sought to determine if an association exists between body image disparity (BID) and women's perception on how race affects their weight.

Sixty women participated in highly structured focus groups that used the nominal group technique. We asked, "How does being a Black (White) woman affect your weight?" Body image disparity (BID) was determined with the Stunkard Figure Rating scale by comparing the women's current body image perception to their ideal body image.

Food preparation and selection were major factors affecting the weight of all Black women. However, as BID and perceived weight status increased, Black women also thought a lack of education on how to eat and how to maintain a healthy weight became important factors that affected their weight. White women with a larger BID often said that distorted expectations of achieving a thin figure affected their weight. White women with a smaller BID most often endorsed thinness as being the standard body type.

Perceptions of factors affecting a woman's weight varied by race and by body image. As BID increased for African American and White women, culturally specific themes emerged related to the women's weight and weight-related behaviors. Both groups of women desired a smaller body size, but the driving forces and barriers to achieving a lower weight were different by race.