Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Sarah Matthey

Abstract

Obesity in the United States has been labeled a national pandemic. Obesity occurs across all populations, regardless of age, sex, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education level, or geographical region; however, it has disproportionately affected African American women. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain an understanding of African American women’s behaviors that are preventing them from conforming to nutrition and obesity standards of the body mass index (BMI) guidelines. The targeted population for this study was 10 obese or morbidly obese African American women, ages 30 to 45. The data were collected using telephone interviews due to the COVID-19 virus. The PEN-3 model was used to frame this study. The data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis based on a 6-stage process for analyzing phenomenological interviews. The findings from this study indicated that African American women struggled with obesity. There were 10 themes developed from the interviews that included BMI, weight loss support system, eating healthy, exercise and diet, lack of resources to access healthy eating, fruits and vegetables, embarrassment, culture, curvy, and lack of education. The participants needed support on all levels from friends, family, coworkers, and the community to stay committed to a healthy eating and exercise lifestyle. This study was significant because it provided knowledge that could be incorporated into culturally specific programs to reduce obesity, enhance physical wellness, and improve the quality of life for African American women.

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