Upstream Ecological Risks for Overweight and Obesity Among African American Youth in a Rural Town in the Deep South, 2007

Details

• Journal Article:
  Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD)
• Personal Author:
  Scott, Alison J. ; Wilson, Rebecca F.
• Description:
  Introduction ; Few studies have focused on overweight and obesity among rural African American youth in the Deep South, despite disproportionately high rates in this group. In addition, few studies have been conducted to elucidate how these disparities are created and perpetuated within rural communities in this region. This descriptive study explores community-based risks for overweight and obesity among African American youth in a rural town in the Deep South. ; Methods ; We used ecological theory in conjunction with embodiment theory to explore how upstream ecological factors may contribute to risk of overweight and obesity for African American youth in a rural town in the Deep South. We conducted and analyzed in-depth interviews with African American community members who interact with youth in varying contexts (home, school, church, community). ; Results ; Participants most commonly stated that race relations, poverty, and the built environment were barriers to maintaining a healthy weight. ; Conclusion ; Findings suggested the need for rural, community-based interventions that target obesity at multiple ecological levels and incorporate issues related to race, poverty, and the built environment. More research is needed to determine how disparities in obesity are created and perpetuated in specific community contexts.
• Subjects:
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Housing
  • Humans
  • Overweight
  • Prejudice
  • Recreation
  • Risk Factors
  • Rural Population
  More +
• Source:
  Prev Chronic Dis. 8(1).
• ISSN:
  1545-1151
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Georgia
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  8
• Issue:
  1
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/20545/cdc_20545_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 380.43 KB]
• Collection(s):
  Preventing Chronic Disease
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:8ce70c01ce6c920c413142e03eeed73b1f886ae9ca4edaafab19e3eb18d3311a7b60647a9212f04105ea658f50f77b51fa1209e7f7cd2b5c92221f192bfd1759