Search results for ‘Subject term:"eating disorders"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 11
Differential effect of birthplace and length of residence on body mass index (BMI) by education, gender and race/ethnicity
- Authors:
- SANCHEZ-VAZAUGH Emma V., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 67(8), October 2008, pp.1300-1310.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Although birthplace and length of residence have been found to be associated with Body Mass Index (BMI)/obesity in the USA, their effects may not be the same across groups defined by education, gender and race/ethnicity. Using cross-sectional population based data from the 2001 California Health Interview Survey, we investigated the associations of birthplace and US length of residence with BMI, and whether the influence of birthplace–US length of residence on BMI varied by education, gender and race/ethnicity. The sample included 37,350 adults aged 25–64 years. Self-reported weight and height were used to calculate BMI. Birthplace and length of residence were combined into a single variable divided into five levels: US-born, foreign-born living in the United States for more than 15, 10–14, 5–9, and less than 5 years. Controlling for age, gender, marital status, race/ethnicity, education, income, fruit and vegetable consumption, current smoking and alcohol use, it was found that: (1) foreign-born adults had lower BMI than US-born adults; (2) among foreign-born adults, longer residence in the United States was associated with higher BMI; and (3) the effect of birthplace–length of US residence on BMI differed by education level, gender and race/ethnicity. Specifically, longer residence in the United States was associated with the greatest percent increases in BMI among the lowest educated groups than higher educated groups, among women (vs. men) and among Hispanics (vs. other racial/ethnic groups). These findings suggest that a protective effect of foreign birthplace on BMI appears to attenuate with length of residence in the United States, and also reveal that BMI/obesity trajectories associated with length of US residence vary by education, gender and race/ethnicity. Immigrant status, independently and in combination with education, gender and race/ethnicity should be considered in future obesity prevention and reduction efforts.
Racial residential segregation and weight status among US adults
- Author:
- CHANG Virginia
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 63(6), September 2006, pp.1289-1303.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
While the segmentation of residential areas by race is well known to affect the social and economic well-being of the segregated minority group in the United States, the relationship between segregation and health has received less attention. This study examines the association between racial residential segregation, as measured by the isolation index, and individual weight status in US metropolitan areas. Multi-level, nationally representative data are used to consider the central hypothesis that segregation is positively associated with weight status among African Americans, a group that is hyper-segregated and disproportionately affected by unhealthy weight outcomes. Results show that among non-Hispanic blacks, higher racial isolation is positively associated with both a higher body mass index (BMI) and greater odds of being overweight, adjusting for multiple covariates, including measures of individual socioeconomic status. An increase of one standard deviation in the isolation index is associated with a 0.423 unit increase in BMI (p<0.01), and a 14% increase in the odds of being overweight (p<0.01). Among whites, there is no significant association between the isolation index and weight status. These findings suggest that in addition to differences among people, differences among places and, in particular, differences in the spatial organization of persons may be relevant to health policy and promotion efforts.
Making sense of eating, weight and risk in the early teenage years: views and concerns of parents in poorer socio-economic circumstances
- Authors:
- BACKETT-MILBURN Kathyrn C., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 63(3), August 2006, pp.624-635.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This paper reports findings from a qualitative study which examined the perceptions and understandings underpinning the dietary practices in families with ‘normal’ weight and ‘overweight’ young teenagers living in poorer socio-economic circumstances. Thirty four parents/main food providers of boys and girls aged 13–14 years from socio-economically disadvantaged areas in Eastern Scotland were interviewed. Within the home there was a strong acknowledgement of these early teenagers’ own food preferences; parents also saw them as having increasing responsibility for their own food choices outside the home but these were often described as ‘not healthy’ choices. However, parents saw dietary issues as of fairly low priority in the hierarchy of health-relevant and other risks facing their teenagers. Equally, these interviewees felt that issues around body shape and size at this age were less potentially problematic than the risks to teenagers’ mental or physical health of their becoming obsessed with weight loss. Parents often made sense of their teenager's body size and shape in terms of the variety of body types in families and inherited traits. Interviewees seemed to lack a discourse to understand weight and overweight in this age group, falling back on understandings derived from the adult lifestage.
Long-run consequences of parental paid work hours for child overweight status in Canada
- Authors:
- PHIPPS Shelley A., LETHBRIDGE Lynn, BURTON Peter
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 62(4), February 2006, pp.977-986.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This paper explores the connection between the labour market and child overweight status in Canada. The labour market is a social institution which plays a critical role in determining how families live their day-to-day lives, for example, how much time and which parts of the day are available for cooking, eating and exercise. Using longitudinal data from the Statistics Canada National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, we find that a history of higher hours of paid work by mothers (but not fathers) is associated with a higher probability of being ‘at risk of overweight’/overweight for children aged 6–11. The policy implication we draw from this work is that additional support to better enable parents to engage in paid work without penalty to their own health or that of their children is clearly warranted.
Eating disorders and the cultural forces behind the drive for thinness: are African American women really protected
- Author:
- WILLIAMSON Lisa
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 28(1), 1998, pp.61-73.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Most current literature on eating disorders and the drive for thinness focuses only on white middle-class women and girls. African American females have been largely excluded from studies, due to the assumption that the black community's acceptance of women with fuller shapes protects its women from eating problems. This paper looks at how recent studies are beginning to show that race, class, and exposure to a dominant culture which denigrates black features and physiques impact body image among black women and may play a role in the development of eating problems.
Lifestyles, social background and eating patterns of 15-year-old boys and girls in Finland
- Authors:
- ROOS Eva B., KARVONEN Sakari, RAHKONEN Ossi
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Youth Studies, 7(3), September 2004, pp.331-349.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The aim was to investigate whether lifestyles or social background have stronger impact on eating patterns among young people. A school-based survey carried out in 1998 among 15-year-old pupils (n=2388) in Helsinki was used as data. The lifestyle dimensions of leisure-time activities used were street-oriented lifestyle, commercialised lifestyle, home-oriented lifestyle, and arts-oriented and hobby-oriented lifestyle. Social background was indicated by father's educational level. Three family-related and school-related eating measures (eating school lunch, having dinner at home and consumption of recommended foods) and two peer-related eating measures (consumption of fast food and consumption of sweets) were analysed. Those from households with higher educational level more often took part in meals at home (boys) and at school (all), and also consumed recommended food items more often. A more street-oriented lifestyle and a more commercialised leisure time were associated with higher intake of fast food and sweets. The results suggest that structural factors such as social background continue to have more influence than lifestyles on young people's daily diet
Anorexia nervosa in 'non-white' populations
- Authors:
- SOOMRO G.M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 167, September 1995, pp.385-389.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Comparisons were made between two groups of anorectic patients, 'non-white' and 'white', on a variety of clinical and social characteristics. The main finding is clinical similarity between the two groups, extending to social class and pathological patterns of family relationship. The clinical and background profiles of non-white and white anorectics are generally similar. The numbers arising and presenting have not changed recently. Non-white patients apparently have as ready access as white patients to assessment and treatment.
Obesity: the new face of poverty for young women in Britain
- Author:
- YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
- Publisher:
- Young Women's Christian Association
- Publication year:
- 2001
- Pagination:
- 6p.
- Place of publication:
- Oxford
This paper examines the alarming rise in obesity amongst young women and the link between obesity, poverty and social exclusion. It contains examples of good practice for improving young women's health and concludes with a number of recommendations
Acculturation, socioeconomic factors and obesity among Immigrants from El Salvador living in the Washington, D.C. area
- Authors:
- BERTERA Elizabeth M., BERTERA Robert L., SHANKAR Shandra
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 12(2), 2003, pp.43-59.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study examined acculturation, SES and obesity in a convenience sample of 1205 Salvadoran immigrants from the Washington, D.C area. Acculturation was measured by language preference for print and electronic media and years residing in the U.S. Obesity was measured by the percent overweight based on body mass index norms. About 30% of respondents were overweight. Acculturation was positively associated with obesity and together with other variables in the model explained 45% of the variance in obesity. Preference for Spanish media was strongest in the older age group. Doctors and TV were the most frequently cited sources of health information. Social workers and health educators can use this information to develop culturally competent interventions and research in Hispanic populations. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street Binghamton, NY 13904-1580)
Shoplifting: a review of the literature
- Authors:
- KRASNOVSKY Therese, LANE Robert C.
- Journal article citation:
- Aggression and Violent Behavior, 3(3), 1998, pp.219-235.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Shoplifting, one of the most prevalent crimes in our society, and on the increase in recent years, has received relatively little attention in research literature. This article discusses the various classifications of shoplifters, particularly delineating several types of shoplifters. The personality characteristics and motivation of these types were studies in an attempt to develop knowledge of shoplifting in general. The relationship between shoplifting and substance abuse, eating disorders, social class, race and ethnicity, gender and age are also researched. Also examines intervention programmes, including combinations of intervention programmes.