Overweight and Obesity: A Comparative Study of Black and White Non-Hispanic Women in the United States

The population of the United States is increasingly gaining weight each year.Americans are heavier than they have ever been. African American women are at the forefront of this pandemic. This study addresses the higher prevalence of overweight and obesity among African American women in comparison to White women. Behavioral, psychological, and social known contributors to overweight and obesity using the National Health Interview Survey, 2001 dataset were examined in this study. The research concluded that even when controlling for vigorous exercise, education, income, depression, emotional support, smoking, health coverage, and age, race is the most important predictor of body mass index. Consistent with previous studies, strong race effects still remained.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Sociology & Anthropology

Year dc:date.available

2007

Author dc:creator

• Howard, Fai R.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Sarah Jane Brubaker

• American women
• obese
• overweight
• health
• racial disparity
• body mass index
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• © The Author

Identifier

https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/1498

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-2497