Factors related to obesity and overweight among Black adolescent girls in the United States

Megan R. Winkler, Gary G. Bennett, Debra H. Brandon

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the United States, Black adolescents have the highest prevalence of pediatric obesity and overweight among girls. While Black girls are disproportionately affected, the reasons for this health disparity remain unclear. The authors conducted a systematic review to investigate the factors related to obesity and overweight among Black adolescent girls. The authors searched four databases for relevant English-language publications using all publication years through 2015. Fifty-one studies met the inclusion criteria and were used for this review. Using a configuration approach to synthesis, three categories were identified, paralleling the bioecological theory of human development: (1) individual, (2) interpersonal, and (3) community and societal factors. A description of each factor’s association with obesity among Black adolescent girls is presented. From this review, the authors identified a diverse and vast set of individual, interpersonal, and community and societal factors explored for their relationship with obesity and overweight. Given the insufficient repetition and limited significant findings among most factors, the authors believe that multiple gaps in knowledge exist across all categories regarding the factors related to obesity and overweight among Black adolescent girls. To improve the quality of research in this area, suggested research directions and methodological recommendations are provided.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)208-248
Number of pages41
JournalWomen and Health
Volume57
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 7 2017

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Work for this publication was supported by the National Institute of Nursing Research of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number F31NR014960. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Taylor & Francis.

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • associated/risk factors
  • Black/African American
  • female
  • obesity

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