Attitudes regarding overweight, exercise, and health among Blacks (United States)

Gary G. Bennett, Kathleen Y. Wolin, Melody Goodman, Michelle Samplin-Salgado, Patricia Carter, Sarah Dutton, Retha Hill, Karen Emmons

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: To investigate Blacks'views regarding the connections among overweight, exercise, and health. Methods: A national randomized telephone survey of 986 US Blacks, conducted between 6 July 2004 and 15 July 2004. Results: The majority (65%) of respondents reported their weight as average or underweight. Most participants also reported being regularly physically active in the last month (84.5%). The majority of participants reported believing that it is possible to be overweight and healthy. Most acknowledged the connection between exercise and health, and just over half of respondents identified the association between overweight and cancer risk. There was little sociodemographic variation in responses, although findings differed by self-reported overweight and physical activity. Conclusions: Some Blacks may underestimate the extent of their overweight, perhaps resulting from the high prevalence of the condition in the population. Gaps exist in Blacks' recognition of the connection between weight and health, although the importance of exercise for health promotion was widely acknowledged. These data may highlight an important target for intervention attention.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)95-101
Number of pages7
JournalCancer Causes and Control
Volume17
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2006

Keywords

  • Blacks/African Americans
  • Body weight
  • Physical activity
  • Risk reduction behavior

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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