Sylvan Alleyne

Obesity among Black Adolescent Girls: Genetic, Psychosocial, and Cultural Influences

This article focuses on the causes, consequences, and prevention of obesity among a subgroup of the American population, Black adolescent girls. Using an ecological perspective on obesity among Black adolescent girls, including feminist-womanist perspectives and historical and medical sociological perspectives, the authors discuss genetic, psychosocial, and cultural factors that may influence the propensity of Black adolescent girls’ susceptibility to obesity and to diabetes, one of the major complications of obesity. Prevention strategies, including individual and structural interventions, are illuminated.

The Role of Dress Codes, Uniforms in Urban Schools

Administrators in large urban schools today often face problems relating to student appearance and attire. Are dress codes or uniforms the solution? These writers consider the implica tions of that question.

Staff security and work pressure: Contrasting patterns of stability and change across five dialysis units

Differences among clinical care units in social dynamics and social organization are associated with differences in the clinical course of patients with a range of chronic illness. These differences are also associated with well-being of staff members. Recent attention has focused on understanding these differences among units with an eye towards correcting deficiencies and enhancing strengths of clinical care units. The current study sought to delineate the effect of social and organizational dynamics unique to each unit on staff perceptions of the security of their relationships with other staff and their perceived work pressure. The unit as a major source of differences among staff subjects was compared with the impact of ethnic identity, of work in the morning shift vs other shifts, and of professional role. Results confirmed that unit membership was, by far, the most important correlate of staff perceptions of the unit, particularly those concerning security of relationships with others and perceived work pressure. Moreover, the results suggested that unit differences in perceived security were due to differences among units in long standing turmoil within the unit or long standing problematic ties between the unit and the larger institution which controls it. However, perceived work pressure seems more transient and may reflect the challenge of shorter-term fluctuations in the demands of patient care.