The Association of Racial Identity and Locus of Control With Eating Attitudes and Obesity in African American College Women

<p>African-American women have been disproportionately affected by the obesity epidemic in the United States, and studies have suggested that sociocultural factors may have a negative influence on weight and weight loss efforts. Relatedly, other studies have found that African-American women have reported feeling less motivated to lose weight than other ethnic groups. Previous research has also indicated that locus of control plays a role in some health outcomes for African America women. The current study aimed to examine the impact of Black identity, external locus of control, and exercise motivation on obesity in African-American college women. Uncontrolled eating and exercise activity were proposed as mediators, and depression and age were included as covariates.</p> <p>Results indicated that racial identity, external locus of control, and exercise motivation did not predict obesity in this population. Depression and age were, however, significantly associated with obesity. Future studies should explore other aspects of culture for African-American women that may influence obesity and motivation to engage in healthier behaviors. Additionally, an examination of factors that contribute to depression and weight for this population would also prove beneficial for more culturally sensitive obesity interventions.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2015

Author dc:creator

• Grisham, Jamie

Contributors dc:contributor

• Desideria S. Hacker
• Darlene Colson
• Barbara A. Cubic
• Robin J. Lewis
• Alan T. Pope

• African-American women
• Depression
• Exercise motivation
• Health locus of control
• Obesity
• Racial identity
• Weight loss
• Health Psychology
• Multicultural Psychology
• Public Health

Statement dc:rights

• <p>In Copyright. URI: <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).</p>

Identifier

9781339229027

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.odu.edu:psychology_etds-1011