Examining the relationship between the endorsement of racial/ethnic stereotypes and excess body fat composition in a national sample of African Americans and Black Caribbeans
Abstract
Research suggests that there maybe a relationship between internalized discrimination, the acceptance of negative stereotypes by an out-group, and excess adioposity among Afro-Caribbean women. To explore several gaps in the literature, this study examined whether the endorsement of racial/ethnic stereotypes was associated with excess body fat composition among African Americans (n=3,265) and Black Caribbeans (n=1,332) living in the United States, using the National Survey of American Life. Ordinary least squares (OLS) and multinomial logistic regression (MLR) was used to examine the relationship between the endorsement of racial/ethnic stereotypes and excess body fat measures, controlling for potential confounders. Additionally, the Chow Test was used to determine if the coefficients for internalized racial/ethnic stereotypes differ between African Americans and Black Caribbeans. Excess fat was measured using continuous body mass index (BMI) and weight (lbs.), and a categorical BMI variable. Results from the OLS regression suggested that the endorsement of racial/ethnic stereotypes was associated with an increase in BMI and weight among African American males (b=0.57 p ≤ .05) and females (b=0.50 p ≤ .05). Further, results from the adjusted MLR suggested that African American men who endorsed racial/ethnic stereotypes were more likely to be obese (O.R=1.33 p ≤ .05), than those who did not endorse racial/ethnic stereotypes. Surprisingly, there was not a relationship between the endorsement of racial/ethnic stereotypes and excess fat among Black Caribbeans in this study, counter to past evidence. This study was of US dwelling Caribbeans and used a proxy for internalized discrimination, unlike previous studies which used Taylor¡¯s Nadanolitization Scale of internalized discrimination and was of women residing in the Caribbean. Future studies should examine the relationship between internalized discrimination and endorsements of negative racial/ethnic stereotypes and excess fat accumulation among ethnically heterogeneous samples of Blacks.
Degree
M.P.H.
Advisors
Hunte, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Public health
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