27275395

PMC4891700

Objective

Nearly half of African-Americans are classified as obese. Perceived racism has been associated with obesity, yet the internal experiences of racism have received little attention. African Americans who face racism may “ready themselves” to cope through survival strategies, including race-related vigilance. This study explores the association between race-related vigilance and obesity in African Americans.

Design and Methods

The Reactions to Race module of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (years 2002–2010) was used. Our sample size consisted of 12,214 African-Americans. Race-related vigilance was assessed as: “How often do you think about your race?” and classified as: never, < daily, daily, and > daily. Obesity was dichotomized as body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 vs. < 30 kg/m2 using self-reported weight and height. Multivariable logistic models assessed the association between race-related vigilance and obesity.

Results

Seventeen percent of respondents reported thinking about their race > daily; 14% daily; 31% < daily, and 39% reported never thinking about their race. Compared to those who reported never thinking about their race, the adjusted odds of obesity were 0.91, 95% CI: 0.72–1.15 among those thinking about their race <daily, 1.09, 95%CI: 0.81–1.46 among those thinking about their race daily, and 1.37, 95% CI: 1.07–1.76 among those thinking about their race > daily.

Conclusions

Frequently thinking about one’s race was a risk factor for obesity in African-Americans in this study. Internalized impacts of racism captured through race-related vigilance may be particularly detrimental to African-Americans, driving their risk for obesity.

CDC Public Access

P60 MD006912/MD/NIMHD NIH HHS/United States
U48 DP001933/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States
U48 DP005031/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States