Using photovoice to understand perceptions of obesity among African-American women

This study employed photovoice, a communication methodology, to document, reflect upon and communicate perceptions and experiences regarding obesity among 18 African-American women. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to understand meanings of the photos. Three themes were identified from the coding and categorization of the interviews. The first theme was "The Weight of a Black Neighborhood," in which participants articulated the challenges associated with practicing good health habits while being tempted or hindered by neighborhood realities. In the second theme "Cultural Ties," participants expressed a strong taste for food high in carbohydrates, salt and fat. They found it hard to break old cultural habits. In the third theme "Weight is Just a Number," participants explained the individual definitions of weight and all that they entail. The findings demonstrated that environmental and cultural influences are very strong in the perceptions that African-American women hold about health and obesity.