Delores C. S. James

Using the Health Belief Model to Develop Culturally Appropriate Weight-Management Materials for African-American Women

African-American women have the highest prevalence of adult obesity in the United States. They are less likely to participate in weight-loss programs and tend to have a low success rate when they do so. The goal of this project was to explore the use of the Health Belief Model in developing culturally appropriate weight-management programs for African-American women. Seven focus groups were conducted with 50 African-American women. The Health Belief Model was used as the studys theoretical framework. Participants made a clear delineation between the terms healthy weight, overweight, and obese. Sexy, flirtatious words, such as thick, stacked, and curvy were often used to describe their extra weight. Participants accurately described the health risks of obesity. Most believed that culture and genetics made them more susceptible to obesity. The perceived benefits of losing weight included reduced risk for health problems, improved physical appearance, and living life to the fullest. Perceived barriers included a lack of motivation, reliable dieting information, and social support. Motivators to lose weight included being diagnosed with a health problem, physical appearance, and saving money on clothes. Self-efficacy was primarily affected by a frustrated history of dieting. The data themes suggest areas that should be addressed when developing culturally appropriate weight-loss messages, programs, and materials for African-American women.

Gender differences in body mass index and weight loss strategies among African Americans

The goals of this study were to examine gender differences in body satisfaction, obesity status, and weight loss strategies among African Americans. A self-administered survey was completed by a convenient sample of 789 African Americans, but 763 provided weight and height information. Significantly more men than women were satisfied or very satisfied with their weight. Based on self-reported weights, the mean body mass index for both men (26.61+/-4.23) and women (26.44+/-5.80) was greater than 25, thus classifying them as being overweight. Sixty-two percent of respondents had tried to lose weight in the last 12 months, with significantly more women trying to lose weight than men (P<.0001). Of those who tried to lose weight, most tried to lose weight by decreasing fried foods, decreasing sweets, and increasing exercise levels. Women were significantly more likely than men to use liquid meals, to use diet pills, to join a weight loss program, and to increase exercise levels to lose weight (P<.05).

Type of Tobacco Product Used: Are There Differences between University and Community College Students?.

This article describes and compares smoking prevalence, types of tobacco products used, and motivation to quit among college students at universities and community colleges. Data were collected using the Florida Annual College Tobacco Survey (FACTS). Nine universities and eight community colleges participated in the study (n = 4973). Most students (69%) experimented with tobacco. Cigarettes were used more often (57.4%), followed by Black ‘N Mild (31.8%), cigars (30.1%), kreteks/bidis (24.1%), smokeless tobacco (13.9%), and pipe (8.9%). University students were more likely than community college students to have tried kreteks/bidis and cigars (p < .05). University students experimented at a significantly earlier age with cigarettes and pipes while community college experimented at a significantly earlier age with cigars and kreteks/bidis (p < .05). The majority of cigarette smokers (62%) were not interested in quitting. The implications for college tobacco education programs are discussed.

Barriers and Motivators to Participating in mHealth Research Among African American Men

Most African American (AA) men own a smartphone, which positions them to be targeted for a variety of programs, services, and health interventions using mobile devices (mHealth). The goal of this study was to assess AA men’s use of technology and the barriers and motivators to participating in mHealth research. A self-administered survey was completed by 311 men. Multinomial logistic regression examined associations between three age groups (18-29 years, 30-50 years, and 51+ years), technology access, and motivators and barriers to participating in mHealth research. Sixty-five percent of men owned a smartphone and a laptop. Men aged 18 to 29 years were more likely willing to use a health app and smartwatch/wristband monitor than older men (p < .01). Men aged 18 to 29 years were also more likely than older men to be motivated to participate for a free cell phone/upgraded data plan and contribution to the greater good (p < .05). Older men were more likely than younger ones to be motivated to become more educated about the topic (p < .05). Younger men were more likely than older ones to report lack of interest in the topic as a barrier to participating (p < .01), while older men were more likely than younger ones to cite lack of research targeted to minority communities as a barrier (p < .05). This study suggests that culturally tailored mHealth research using smartphones may be of interest to AA men interested in risk reduction and chronic disease self-management. Opportunities also exist to educate AA men about the topic at hand and why minority men are being targeted for the programs and interventions.

Developing Weight Management Messages and Interventions for Baby Boomer Men

The goal of this study was to explore the weight management experiences of Baby Boomer men (born between 1946 and 1964) and to use the information to develop targeted messages and interventions. Twenty men were interviewed. The Health Belief Model was used as the study’s theoretical framework. Men correctly identified health risks of being obese. However, most believed that body mass index and weight charts were unrealistic, and a few felt that they would be too “skinny” at the recommended weight. Wives were sources of nutrition information and social support. Perceived benefits of losing weight included reduced risk for health problems and looking good. Perceived barriers included apathy and weight loss programs being “too feminine.” Motivators for losing weight included being diagnosed with a health problem, health requirements for work, and financial incentives. The data themes suggest ways to develop male-specific messages and interventions that consider the aging body.

Proposing Ethical Practice Standards for Community-Engaged Research in Health Education

The Belmont Report was written in 1979 to address the abuse of human participants in biomedical research.1 In the report, 3 ethical principles were described: (1) beneficence, which describes an ac...

You Have to Approach Us Right: A Qualitative Framework Analysis for Recruiting African Americans into mHealth Research.

Background. Despite the high ownership of smartphones, African Americans (AAs) remain underrepresented in health research and specifically mobile health (mHealth) research. This may be due to ineffective recruitment efforts. Purpose. To explore strategies for recruiting AAs into mHealth research and examine how these strategies may vary by gender and age-group. Method. Twenty triad focus groups (n = 60) were conducted with AA males (n = 9 groups) and females (n = 11 groups). The framework method was used to manage, organize, synthesize, and analyze data themes by gender and age-group (18-29, 30-50, 51+). Results. Most participants owned smartphones (71%) and were willing to participate in mHealth research (62%). The participants’ narrative revealed the tension between mistrust of researchers and the excitement of participating in technology-based research. Both genders and all age-groups can be reached via word-of-mouth because it is “the best advertisement.” Personal contact must precede traditional and electronic recruitment strategies because “we have to know you.” Churches are excellent places for recruitment because they are “trustworthy” and have a “repeat audience.” Facebook may be effective for both genders and all age-groups because “everybody is on Facebook” and it can “reach more people than text and e-mail.” Beauty/barber shops may be limited in reaching both genders and age-groups, but especially young women who style their own hair natural, and young men who wear braids and dreadlocks. Personal contact must precede traditional and electronic recruitment strategies because “we have to know you.” Conclusion. A tailored, multipronged strategy that combines traditional recruitment methods with texting, e-mail, and social media may be effective in recruiting AA adults into mHealth research.

Professional preparation of individuals who provide genetic counseling services.

An unprecedented increase has occurred in demand for genetic counseling services during the current decade. This study examined the complex issue of who currently provides genetic counseling services and the professional preparation of these personnel. A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 325 genetic counseling professionals in the southeastern United States who were members of the Southeast Regional Genetics Group (SERGG), National Society of Genetic Counselors, or American Society of Human Genetics States; 204 completed the questionnaire (63%). Seventy percent of respondents were female and 30% were male. Thirty percent of respondents held MD degrees; nine physicians held PhD degrees. Most physicians were male. Thirty-two percent of respondents held masters degrees in genetic counseling; five counselors held PhD degrees. Twenty-three percent of respondents were nurses; eight nurses held masters degrees. Three percent of respondents were social workers. Individuals with other degrees, such as an associate of science in medical technology and a doctoral degree in education, also provided genetic counseling. Genetic counseling typically involved a team effort, consisting mainly of physicians and genetic counselors. Most respondents reported college coursework in human genetics, supervised training, and seminar/workshop training. Thirty percent reported college coursework in counseling techniques, supervised training, and seminar/workshop training. Policy recommendations are offered concerning professional preparation of genetic counselors.

Smartphone Usage, Social Media Engagement, and Willingness to Participate in mHealth Weight Management Research Among African American Women

Background. African American women (AAW) are in a unique position to be recruited into mobile (mHealth) weight management research and programs due to their high rates of obesity and their high ownership of smartphones. Aim. This study examined smartphone usage, social media engagement, and willingness to participate in mHealth weight management among AAW in north-central Florida, United States. Methods. A self-administered survey was completed by a convenience sample of 425 smartphone owners in north-central Florida. Results. Mean age was 34.84 ± 13.74, with age distribution of 18 to 29 (45%), 30 to 50 (39%), and 51+ years (17%). Mean body mass index was 29.52 ± 8.18. Most used smartphones to access the Internet daily and were engaged with eight social media sites, such as Facebook (85%), YouTube (75%), and Google+ (57%). Compared to those 51+, those 18 to 29 were more likely to use YouTube (odds ratio [OR] = 2.52, p = .017) and Instagram (OR = 10.90, p < .0001), but they were less likely to use Google+ (OR = 0.40, p = .009). Compared to those 51+, those 30 to 50 were more likely to use Instagram (β = 1.28, OR = 3.61, p = .014) and Facebook (β = 1.04, OR = 2.84, p < .006). Most were willing to participate in research that used text messages (73%), smartwatches/fitness trackers (69%), and smartphone apps (68%). Compared to those 51+, women 18 to 29 were more likely to report willingness to use a smartphone app (OR = 5.45, p < .0001) as were those 30 to 50 (OR = 3.14, p < .0001). Conclusion. AAW’s high ownership of smartphones, use of mHealth apps and tools, and willingness to participate in mHealth research has the potential to curb the obesity epidemic by participating in mHealth weight management programs and research.

Selected abstracts from the Breastfeeding and Feminism International Conference 2016

Table of contentsA1. Infant feeding and poverty: a public health perspective in a global contextLisa H. AmirA2. Mothers’ experiences with galactagogues for lactation: an exploratory cross sectional studyAlessandra Bazzano, Shelley Thibeau, Katherine P. TheallA3. The motherhood journey and breastfeeding: from self-efficacy to resilience and social stigmaAnna Blair, Karin CadwellA4. Breastfeeding as an evolutionary adaptive behaviorEmily A. BronsonA5. Conflict-of-interest in public health policy: as real as that logo on your websiteElizabeth C. BrooksA6. Co-opting sisterhood and motherhood: behind the scenes of Similac’s aggressive social media campaignsJodine ChaseA7. The exclusion of women from the definition of exclusive breastfeedingEllen Chetwynd, Rebecca Costello, Kathryn WoukA8. Healthy maternity policies in the workplace: a state health department’s experience with the “Bring Your Infant to Work” programLindsey Dermid-GrayA9. Implications for a paradigm shift: factors related to breastfeeding among African American womenStephanie Devane-Johnson, Cheryl Woods Giscombe, Miriam LabbokA10. Social experiences of breastfeeding: building bridges between research and policy: an ESRC-funded seminar series in the UKSally DowlingA11. Manager’s perspectives of lactation breaksMelanie FraserA12. The challenging second night: a dialogue from two perspectivesJane Grassley, Deborah McCarter-Spaulding, Becky SpencerA13. The role of lactation consultants in two council breastfeeding services in Melbourne, Australia – some preliminary impressionsJennifer Hocking, Pranee LiamputtongA14. Integrating social marketing and community engagement concepts in community breastfeeding programsSheree H. Keitt, Harumi Reis-ReillyA15. What happens before and after the maternity stay? Creating a community-wide Ten Steps approachMiriam LabbokA16. #RVABREASTFEEDS: cultivating a breastfeeding-friendly communityLeslie LytleA17. Public health vs. free trade: a longitudinal analysis of a global policy to protect breastfeedingMary Ann MerzA18. Legislative advocacy and grassroots organizing for improved breastfeeding laws in VirginiaKate NoonA19. Breastfeeding and the rights of incarcerated womenKrista M OlsonA20. Barriers and support for Puerto Rican breastfeeding working mothersAna M. Parrilla-Rodríguez, José J. Gorrín-Peralta Melissa Pellicier, Zeleida M. Vázquez-RiveraA21. Pumping at work: a daily struggle for Puerto Rican breastfeeding mothers in spite of the lawMelissa PellicierA22. “I saw a wrong and I wanted to stand up for what I thought was right:” a narrative study on becoming a breastfeeding activistJennifer L. PembertonA23. Peer breastfeeding support: advocacy and actionCatherine McEvilly PestlA24. Good intentions: a study of breastfeeding intention and postpartum realities among first-time Central Brooklyn mothersJennifer Pierre, Philip Noyes, Khushbu Srivastava, Sharon Marshall-TaylorA25. Women describing the infant feeding choice: the impact of the WIC breastfeeding classes on infant feeding practices in Ionia, MichiganJennifer Proto, Sarah Hyland Laurie BrinksA26. Local and state programs and national partnership to reduce disparities through community breastfeeding supportHarumi Reis-Reilly, Martelle Esposito, Megan PhillippiA27. Beyond black breastfeeding week: instagram image content analysis for #blackwomendobreastfeed/#bwdbfCynthia L. Sears, Delores James, Cedric Harville, Kristina CarswellA28. Stakeholder views of breastfeeding education in the K-12 environment: a review of the literatureNicola Singletary, L. Suzanne Goodell, April FoglemanA29. “The Breastfeeding Transition”: a framework for explaining changes in global breastfeeding rates as related to large-scale forces shaping the status of womenPaige Hall SmithA30. Breastfeeding, contraception, and ethics, oh my! Advocacy and informed decision-making in the post-partum periodAlison M. Stuebe, Amy G. Bryant, Anne Drapkin LyerlyA31. A hard day’s night: juggling nighttime breastfeeding, sleep, and workCecilia TomoriA32. Empowering change in Indian country through breastfeeding educationAmanda L. Watkins, Joan E. DodgsonA33. Servants and “Little Mothers” take charge: work, class, and breastfeeding rates in the early 20th-century U.S.Jacqueline H. Wolf