Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Shawn N. Munford

Abstract

AbstractObesity is a complex disease linked to genetics, health behaviors, upstream social determinants of health, and psychosocial stress. Obesity-related chronic diseases and opportunity cost significantly impact individuals and communities. Current prevention policies focus on diet and exercise without demonstrating the benefits of stress coping strategies in obesity management. Subclinical racial minority and gender stress heighten hypervigilance, psychological overload, poor stress coping strategies, inflammation, and obesity. Subclinical stress varies with race and gender, and it is higher in African American (AA) women. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experience of subclinical racial minority and gender stress as significant factors impacting obesity among AA women. An in-depth one-on-one interview was administered guided by phenomenology to a purposive sample of 13 obese AA women ages 45 to 64 in Tallahassee, Florida. A social-ecological model and minority stress theories were used to explore the data. The results of these analyses indicated eight themes: (a) sociopolitical anxiety, (b) systemic racism, (c) otherness identity, (d) hypervigilance, (e) culture, (f) unhealthy habits, (g) avoidance, and (h) social support. Racial minority and gender stress are upstream factors impacting diet, physical activity participation choices, and obesity; interventions should address everyday stress that marginalizes, problematizes, and victimizes AA women. The potential impact for positive social change is sustained awareness of stress-linked obesity risk factors, obesogenic environment, and the social-ecological lens AA women view racial, gender stress, and obesity.

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