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Natural Hair: a Vital Component to Black Women's Health
Tara B Blackshear1, Kelsey Kilmon2
1Department of Kinesiology, Towson University, 8000 York Road, Burdick Hall 121L, Towson, MD, 21252, USA. tblackshear@towson.edu.
Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
|November 17, 2020
Summary
Black women with natural hair are physically active and report higher self-esteem. Embracing natural hairstyles may improve Black women's mental and physical health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Sociology of Health
- Health Disparities
- African American Studies
Background:
- Eurocentric hairstyles negatively impact Black women's health and physical activity.
- Little research exists on the health implications of natural hairstyles for Black women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between natural hair and physical activity behaviors.
- To examine the impact of natural hair on the health profiles of Black women.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 69 Black women (ages 18-51) using questionnaires on demographics, hair practices, physical activity, self-esteem, and hair-esteem.
- Assessed body composition via waist circumference and body mass index (BMI).
- Utilized descriptive statistics and correlation analysis to analyze data.
Main Results:
- Black women with natural hair demonstrated higher physical activity levels.
- Participants with natural hair reported positive self-esteem and hair-esteem.
- While body composition measures were high, BMI metrics were identified as potentially inappropriate for this demographic.
Conclusions:
- Natural hair may positively influence mental and physical health among Black women.
- Afrocentric approaches affirming natural hairstyles are recommended for health interventions.
- Further research is needed to validate BMI appropriateness for Black women's health assessments.
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