Patient Barriers for Weight Management Among African American Women

Authors

Owen Bowie, University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeFollow
Jennifer Kusch, Milwaukee Area Technical College; Center for Urban Population HealthFollow
George L. Morris III, Center for Urban Population Health; Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital MilwaukeeFollow
Tracy Flood, BroadStreet Health LLCFollow
Jessica Gill, University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeFollow
Renee E. Walker, University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeFollow
Ron A. Cisler, Western Michigan UniversityFollow
Jennifer T. Fink, University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeFollow

Publication Date

10-29-2018

Keywords

weight management, obesity, women, community advisory board, community-based participatory research

Abstract

Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to assess the perceptions of local African American women who are overweight or obese using semi-structured focus groups to identify barriers to weight management and factors that support strategy success. The secondary aim of this study was to determine recommendations for patient-centered weight management interventions established specifically for African American women in the Milwaukee-area community.

Methods: Three semi-structured focus groups to explore barriers to weight management were performed among women patients. Participants (N = 41) were recruited via email, postal mail, and phone as available from an academic medical center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Focus group discussions were transcribed verbatim, reviewed by the study team, and coded based on recurring themes within and across interviews. Responses were analyzed by frequency of occurrence using qualitative computer software.

Results: Five primary barriers to weight management were identified from focus groups: food choices, lifestyle changes, social support, locus of control, and health education. Based on participant reports, improvements to present practice and health literacy for patients may be merited. There was expressed interest by patients for being involved in future research and development of patient-centered interventions.

Conclusions: This study provides support for the use of a community-based participatory research approach in determining appropriate considerations for weight management interventions suitable for this patient population. Future research should include stakeholders not included in this study, such as community organization leaders, and primary care physicians to develop a refined intervention targeting the primary barriers to weight management.

Recommended Citation

Bowie O, Kusch J, Morris GL 3rd, Flood T, Gill J, Walker RE, Cisler RA, Fink JT. Patient barriers for weight management among African American women. J Patient Cent Res Rev. 2018;5:287-97. doi: 10.17294/2330-0698.1643