Black girls' perceptions of health and ideal body types

Abstract

This study employs an opportunity sample of 18 Black girls attending afterschool programmes in a Mid-western US town. The girls were asked to describe health and the ideal body type for girls of their age. Previous research has noted important cultural differences in how girls define both health and their ideal body type, indicating that Black girls in this community may have differing views than other cultural groups. The purpose of this study was to better understand the connections between how Black girls define health, various body types and the ways in which they rationalise their healthy behaviours. According to the girls in this study, health is defined as exercising and eating fruits and vegetables. In addition, the girls mentioned idealising a body type that they referred to as ‘thick’ which is typically larger than Western White ideals. The girls mentioned various sociocultural factors and practices, such as peers and mothers who influence their definitions of the ideal body type. These social influences also impact their social construction of what it means to be healthy. This information can be used to gain an improved understanding of Black girls' perceptions of health and body types to empower them and to expand our understanding and encouragement of various health practices.

Keywords::

• Black girls
• body types
• health

Acknowledgements

I thank Kim Shinew for her support and guidance throughout this project. Her valuable insight and willingness to review previous drafts of this paper are greatly appreciated.

Notes

^1. Throughout the results, the numbers in parentheses after the names of each girl indicate her age.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Brooke N. Burk

Brooke Burk, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department at SUNY Cortland in Cortland, NY, USA.