In light of the present-day obesity crisis, this study describes the impact of demographic, cognitive, behavioral, and biological factors on health outcomes in pre-menopausal and menopausal African American women living in rural South Carolina.
The data suggests that obesity and related chronic diseases can be, in fact, curbed by a better-informed public, a shift in body-awareness and a deeper understanding of the sociocultural heritage and our relationship to food in general. As a groundbreaking study within this high-risk population, it also puts in perspective to what extent these factors are driven by the socioeconomic status of the women.
The findings from this research place renewed urgency on interactive strategies in education and the healthcare field in order to better equip African American women in rural areas with the tools to confront obesity and related chronic diseases.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Factors Influencing Obesity
1.2 Sociocultural Factors
1.3 Menopausal Transition
1.4 Demographic Factors
1.5 Rurality
1.6 Obesity Intervention
1.7 Theoretical Framework
1.7.1 Conceptual Framework
1.7.2 Story’s Social Ecological Framework
1.8 Individual Factors Influencing Obesity and Health in Midlife AAW
1.9 Research Questions
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Search Strategy
2.2 Obesity and Health
2.3 Biological Factors: Menopausal Status
2.4 Onset and Timing of Menopausal Transition
2.5 Perceptions of Menopausal Transition
2.6 Biological Markers
2.7 Depression
2.8 Sexual Functioning
2.9 Psychological Wellbeing and Health-Related Quality of Life
2.10 Demographic Factors
2.10.1 Socioeconomic Factors and Menopausal Transition
2.10.2 Socioeconomic Factors and Obesity
2.11 Cognitive Factors
2.11.1 Cultural Perceptions of Obesity and African American Women
2.11.2 African American Women’s Perceptions of Obesity, Body Size and Image
2.12 Behavioral Factors
2.12.1 Physical Activity
2.12.2 Dietary Habits & Nutritional Factors
2.12.3 Nutrition and Food Preparation
2.13 Demographic Factors
2.14 Rurality and Health Status
2.14.1 The Rural Environment
2.14.2 Interventions in Rural Communities
2.15 Summary
3. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
3.1 Design
3.2 Settings
3.3 Sample
3.4 Power Analysis
3.5 Research Question 1
3.6 Research Question 2
3.7 Research Question 3
3.8 Procedure
3.9 Data Collection
3.10 Major Study Variables
3.10.1 Dependent Variables
3.10.2 Health
3.10.3 Independent Variables
3.10.4 Cognitive Factors
3.10.5 Behavioral Factors
3.10.6 Demographic Variables
3.11 Data Analysis
4. RESULTS
4.1 Descriptive Findings on Sample
4.2 Descriptive Findings on Dependent Variables
4.3 Descriptive Findings on Independent Variables
4.4 Descriptive Findings on Cognitive Factors
4.5 Descriptive Findings on Behavioral Factors
4.6 Research Question 1
4.7 Hypothesis 1
4.8 Cognitive Factors
4.9 Behavioral Factors
4.10 Health Outcomes
4.11 Research Question 2
4.12 Hypothesis 2
4.13 Research Question 3
4.14 Hypothesis 3
4.15 Body Mass Index
4.16 Obesity Related Chronic Health Conditions
4.17 Summary
5. DISCUSSION
5.1 Discussion of the Findings
5.2 Significance
5.3 Limitations of the Study
5.4 Implications of the Study for Nursing
5.5 Implication of the Study for Research
Research Objectives and Themes
This dissertation aims to investigate the complex interplay of demographic, cognitive, behavioral, and biological factors that influence health outcomes, specifically Body Mass Index (BMI) and obesity-related chronic health conditions (ORCHC), among African American women (AAW) living in rural and very rural areas of South Carolina.
- The impact of socioeconomic status and rural residency on the health of midlife African American women.
- The role of cultural beliefs and perceptions of body image in the context of obesity.
- The influence of menopausal transition on physical health and psychological well-being.
- Dietary habits and food preparation techniques as critical behavioral determinants of obesity.
Excerpt from the Dissertation
Cultural Perceptions of Obesity and African American Women
The principal attitudes and behaviors that characterize the functioning of a group are considered its culture. These distinctive traits or worldviews (i.e., thoughts, beliefs, perceptions) are believed to govern rules of moral conduct that influence social interactions (i.e., family structure, roles) in racial, ethnic, and social groups (Adamopoulos & Kashima, 1999). These socially transmitted behaviors, patterns of assumption, beliefs, and practices unconsciously frame and guide the decisions and behaviors of a group (Campo & Mastin, 2007; Gore, 1999). African Americans perceptions of body size and obesity permeate across age groups. A number of researchers reported that among school and college age AA children, and caregivers of AA children, these groups chose larger figures to represent their ideal body size and were happiest with their body size and image (Rucker & Cash, 1991; Wang, Liang, & Chen. 2009; Welch et al., 2004; Young-Hyman, Herman, & Schlundt, 2000).
For most AAs, a socially transmitted belief is that women should have larger and fuller figures (Flynn & Fitzgibbon, 1998; Wolfe, 2000). In an attempt to provide an explanation of the historical, cultural and psychosocial factors influencing obesity among AAW in the U.S., Johnson and Broadnax (2003) suggested that, historically, AAW with “fuller figure, broader hips, fleshy and large” bodies represented good healthy bodies which were (a) conducive to bearing healthy children (b) working hard, (c) nurturing and supporting their family (p. 69). These full-figured, fleshy AAW were prized by AA men for marriage and by slave owners for breeding; they served as a vehicle to increase the slave owner’s economic wealth by producing healthy babies.
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: Provides a comprehensive overview of the obesity epidemic in the U.S., highlighting the specific vulnerabilities of rural African American women and outlining the study's research objectives.
LITERATURE REVIEW: Examines existing research on the biological, behavioral, cognitive, and demographic variables affecting the health of African American women, including the transition to menopause.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Details the cross-sectional, correlational design of the study, describing the settings in South Carolina, the participant selection, and the various data collection instruments used.
RESULTS: Presents the statistical findings regarding the participants' demographic profiles, cognitive perceptions, and behavioral factors, as well as the relationships between these variables and health outcomes.
DISCUSSION: Interprets the study's findings in the context of existing literature, discusses the implications for nursing practice and research, and acknowledges the study's limitations.
Keywords
African American women, Obesity, Menopause, Rurality, BMI, Chronic health conditions, Body image, Dietary habits, Food preparation, Sociocultural factors, South Carolina, Nursing research, Psychological distress, Mental health, Menopausal transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this dissertation?
The research focuses on understanding how various factors—including demographic, cognitive, behavioral, and biological—contribute to obesity and obesity-related chronic health conditions in African American women living in rural South Carolina.
Which specific demographic groups are included in this study?
The study examines 200 African American women, ages 18-64, living in rural or very rural regions of South Carolina, divided into four groups based on their menopausal status and level of rurality.
What is the core research question addressed by the author?
The primary questions explore the main and interaction effects of menopausal status and rural residency on health outcomes, whether cognitive and behavioral factors are linked to these health outcomes, and if these relationships persist when socioeconomic factors are controlled.
Which scientific methodology was utilized?
The study employed a cross-sectional, correlational research design, using quantitative surveys and physical measurements to analyze data gathered from clinical and church-based recruitment sites.
What topics are explored in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the sociocultural perceptions of body size, the menopausal transition experience, dietary habits (such as "cooking with soul"), physical activity patterns, and the influence of the rural environment on overall health.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
The work is characterized by terms such as African American women, obesity, menopause, rurality, BMI, body image, and dietary habits.
How did the author define "menopausal status"?
The author defined menopausal status based on menstrual regularity in the past 12 months and scores on the Menopausal Rating Scale (MRS), categorizing women as either pre-menopausal or menopausal.
How was rurality determined for the participants?
Rurality was determined by town and county of residence, with specific designations for "rural" and "very rural" areas based on population density criteria from the South Carolina Office of Rural Health.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Colleen M. Kilgore (Autor:in), 2014, Menopause, Rurality and Obesity in Rural African American Women, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/322092
