DIABETES IN URBAN AFRICAN-AMERICANS - BODY-IMAGE, SATISFACTION WITH SIZE, AND WEIGHT CHANGE ATTEMPTS

We developed two gender specific sets of body-size silhouettes for eva luating body image in African Americans; 370 clinic-based adult partic ipants with diabetes were queried on body image, perceptions, current efforts to change weight, and psychosocial variables. Comparisons were made by weight group and sex after classification as overweight or no r over-weight according to body mass index (BMI). Regardless of sex or weight category, perceived current body size was significantly relate d to BMI. Both men and women who were classified as overweight selecte d a desired body size that was significantly smaller than their percei ved current size. Men, however were more likely than women to select a larger desired size relative to their current size. Both men and wome n expected the dietitian to favor a body size smaller than their own d esired size and felt their designated important adult would choose the same desired size that they selected Given the importance of cognitiv e perspectives in understanding weight management, it may be useful to incorporate body image measures into both observational and intervent ional studies.