{"id":221320,"date":"2024-11-22T07:15:36","date_gmt":"2024-11-22T12:15:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=221320"},"modified":"2024-11-22T07:48:22","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T12:48:22","slug":"weight-loss-plans-are-less-effective-for-many-black-women-%e2%88%92-because-existing-ones-often-dont-meet-their-unique-needs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2024\/11\/weight-loss-plans-are-less-effective-for-many-black-women-%e2%88%92-because-existing-ones-often-dont-meet-their-unique-needs\/","title":{"rendered":"Weight Loss Plans Are Less Effective for Many Black Women \u2212 Because Existing Ones Often Don\u2019t Meet Their Unique Needs"},"content":{"rendered":"

The popularity of\u00a0weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro<\/a>\u00a0continue to reflect Americans\u2019 desire to slim down. While these new drugs have offered a solution for people struggling with obesity, many eligible patients \u2013 especially Black adults \u2013\u00a0cannot afford the high price<\/a>.<\/p>\n

These drugs are also\u00a0not a one-stop solution for better health<\/a>, as healthy eating and regular exercise are also key to losing weight. But current weight loss interventions based on lifestyle changes largely fail to meet the needs of Black women.<\/p>\n

As community<\/a>\u00a0health researchers<\/a>, we wondered why scientists have been unable to craft a lifestyle-based weight loss solution that works for Black women.<\/p>\n

So we reviewed 10 years of research on weight loss interventions based on lifestyle changes. We found that only a few studies focused on Black women, and those that did often resulted in\u00a0only small amounts of weight loss<\/a>\u00a0and were inconsistent in how they approached weight loss. Why is that?<\/p>\n

Missing the mark for Black women<\/h4>\n

Obesity increases the risk<\/a>\u00a0of developing weight-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer.\u00a0Nearly 60% of Black women in the U.S.<\/a>\u00a0are obese, placing them at greater risk of developing these conditions.<\/p>\n

Lifestyle interventions focusing on healthy diet and increased physical activity are proven to help most people lose weight, typically\u00a0resulting in a 5% to 10% weight reduction<\/a>\u00a0that also reduces the risk of chronic disease. However, these lifestyle interventions usually result in only a\u00a02% to 3% weight loss in Black women<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Our review suggests that lifestyle-based weight loss has been stymied among Black women because they\u00a0often aren\u2019t included<\/a>\u00a0in this research. Because their lived experiences aren\u2019t considered in these studies, these interventions might not meet their specific needs. Of the 138 studies we assessed, Black women made up at least half of the participants in only eight studies.<\/p>\n

Research on why lifestyle interventions are often less effective for Black women is lacking. However, some studies highlight the effects of race and gender on their daily lives as potential factors.<\/p>\n

The superwoman role<\/h4>\n

Black women exposed to the persistent stress of navigating everyday racism and sexism face the additional burden of what researchers call the\u00a0superwoman role<\/a>. Not only do Black women have to weather their own experiences of race- and gender-based inequalities, they\u2019re also\u00a0expected to be<\/a>\u00a0invulnerable, hyperindependent and suppress their emotions in order to seem strong to their family and community. Many\u00a0minimize their vulnerabilities and overstress their capabilities<\/a>\u00a0in order to fulfill an overwhelming obligation to take care of other people.<\/p>\n

Many famous names have spoken about the effects of being the strong superwoman. Actress\u00a0Taraji P. Henson<\/a>\u00a0has pointed to how the need to display strength can lead to ignoring the physical and emotional needs of Black women.<\/p>\n

Rapper\u00a0Megan Thee Stallion<\/a>\u00a0spoke about the emotional toll of the superwoman role after being shot by rapper Tory Lanez. \u201cAs a Black woman \u2026 people expect me to take the punches, take the beating, take the lashings, and handle it with grace. But I\u2019m human.\u201d<\/p>\n

The superwoman role levies a heavy tax on Black women, leaving little room to prioritize their health. To cope with the stress, some engage in\u00a0emotional eating or binge eating<\/a>. The constant demands of playing multiple caregiver roles can also\u00a0disrupt physical activity<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Naturally, these challenges make it difficult to adopt healthier eating habits and a consistent exercise routine. Even when working toward weight loss, some Black women\u00a0continue to gain weight<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Improving weight loss for Black women<\/h4>\n

Lifestyle interventions that fully integrate the lived experiences of Black women into treatment may be key to improving weight loss. We argue that\u00a0Black Feminism and Womanism<\/a>, which focus on the experiences of women of color, can guide researchers to rebuild and reframe weight loss interventions to be more effective for Black women.<\/p>\n

Black Feminism and Womanism<\/a>\u00a0are approaches guiding Black women and girls to surviving and thriving, specifically by always considering the role that gender and race play in different issues. These frameworks focus on multiple areas of health and wellness, including physical, mental and emotional health, arguing that self-care and wellness practices are acts of social change.<\/p>\n

Focusing on the full context of Black women\u2019s lives can lead to better overall health. Obesity, specifically, is influenced by multiple factors, and treating obesity requires a focus on\u00a0holistic health and well-being<\/a>. This includes addressing Black women\u2019s economic needs, incorporating faith practices central to Black life, attending to emotional and mental health, and building an environment that makes acquiring healthy food and engaging in daily exercise an easy choice.<\/p>\n

Current weight loss interventions vary widely in which elements of Black women\u2019s lives they focus on. For example, some emphasize\u00a0spirituality<\/a>, while others concentrate on\u00a0emotional health<\/a>. Approaches to weight loss that\u00a0respond to individual needs<\/a>\u00a0and move away from one-size-fits-all will be critical to addressing the various aspects of Black women\u2019s lives that affect their wellness.<\/p>\n

If health care providers and researchers begin listening to and working with Black women to redesign weight loss interventions, they will likely find that their efforts at addressing obesity among Black women are more effective.<\/p>\n

Originally published in The Conversation.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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