Previous studies focused on obesity and weight management have ignored the cultural uniqueness of Afro-Caribbean individuals. The purpose of this study was to examine the cultural context for notions of good health and health practices, and perception of obesity and weight management, among African American and Caribbean American women. Four focus groups of Afro-Caribbean and African American women (age 40 and older) were conducted between May and July of 2007 to explore cultural factors related to physical activity, healthy eating and weight management.
Perron,Brian E. (Author), Alexander-Eitzman,Ben (Author), Watkins,Daphne (Author), Taylor,Robert Joseph (Author), Baser,Ray (Author), Neighbors,Harold W. (Author), and Jackson,James S. (Author)
Format:
Journal Article
Publication Date:
2009
Location:
African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Prior research has shown that minority groups experience greater levels of disability associated with psychiatric and substance use conditions due to barriers to treatment. This study compares African Americans, Caribbean Blacks and non-Hispanic Whites regarding their probability of making treatment contacts over time, using a combined sample of African Americans and Caribbean Blacks from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL) and non-Hispanic Whites from the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication (NCS-R).
Ethnic variations in quality of life and depressive symptoms in black Americans with acute decompensated heart failure are understudied. Assesses the severity of depressive symptoms and their contribution to quality of life in patients with acute decompensated heart failure receiving care at inner-city hospitals with high volumes of black patients. Adjusted mean quality of life scores were equivalent in the African American and Caribbean black groups. Depressive symptoms were equally severe in the 2 groups and explained an equivalent proportion of the variance in quality of life in each group.
The Caribbean space is characterized by its cultural pluralism and is the scene of one of the most complex processes of syncretism and transculturation in America. Music, as an element of integration and at the same time of regional differentiation, is deeply rooted in the collective consciousness of the people of the Caribbean and is strongly associated with the identity that defines the region.