Development and Validation of the Beliefs About Personal Weight Survey Among African American Women

Regional Differences in Body Image Perception Among Young African American Women Living in the United States

The current study examined regional differences in body image perceptions and body mass index (BMI) among young African American women. Three hundred forty-one African American women, 18 to 40 years old, living in three regions of the United States were recruited. Pulver's Figure Rating scale was used to identify body image perceptions. Weight and height were measured for BMI calculation. Analysis of covariance was used to examine body image perception differences. The sample mean age was 27.8 years and mean BMI was 30.3 kg/m². Participants' body image perceptions were significantly smaller among participants living in the Northeast compared to the Southeast (mean difference = -0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-1.18, -0.11], p = 0.018) and Midwest (mean difference = -0.64, 95% CI [-1.16, -0.12], p = 0.015). No significant differences in BMI were found among regions (F(8,318) = 1.17, p = 0.314). Clinical implications of these findings are discussed. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 57(3), 25-31.].

Refinement of the Beliefs About Personal Weight Survey

This study tested the revised Beliefs About Personal Weight Survey-2 (BPWS-2) in 200 African American women, 18 to 40 years of age. Confirmatory factor analysis of a priori hypothesized factors resulted in 5 subscales-weight acceptance (8 items); excess weight acknowledgment (5 items); conventional weight regulation (3 items); circumstantial weight regulation (9 items); and weight concern (10 items). The Cronbach α ranged from 0.67 to 0.89. The factors demonstrated patterns of association with eating behavior, body mass index, body image, and psychosocial (depression and perceived stress) variables associated with weight. The BPWS-2 is the first instrument designed to measure beliefs about one's personal weight, thus results make important new contributions to the understanding of weight management.