Purpose and Hypothesis

1. BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL PREDICTORS OF OBESITY IN AFRICAN AMERICANS Joneis Thomas, PhD1, Denee T. Mwendwa, PhD1, Serge Madhere, PhD1, Clive O. Callender, MD2, Debra L. Morehead, BA1, Mana Ali, BA1, Alfonso Campbell Jr., PhD1 Howard University1 and Howard University Hospital2 Washington, DC 20059 Purpose and Hypothesis Discussion Background • Purpose: The purpose of this research was to establish a risk factor model for the development of obesity in African Americans and include variables such as coping with racism and anger/hostility, which have not been given extensive attention in the literature. • Hypothesis: We hypothesized that C-reactive protein, anger/hostility, anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and coping with perceived racism would be significant predictors of body mass index. • This study offers insight into the biopsychosocial correlates of obesity in African Americans. • Log normalized CRP, depression, anger/hostility, and coping with perceived racism were positively correlated with BMI. • In a hierarchical multiple regression analysis, log normalized CRP, anger/hostility, and coping with perceived racism emerged as significant predictors of BMI after controlling for age, income, and gender. This model accounted for 52.1% of the variance in BMI. • While depression and anxiety were correlated with BMI, they were not significant predictors of BMI in this sample of African Americans. This unexpected finding may be attributable to how depression and anxiety were measured. • Our study contributes to the literature by showing that both coping with perceived racism and anger/hostility play a role in obesity in African-Americans. • Obesity in the U.S. has reached epidemic proportions. • Two-thirds of American adults are overweight and almost one-third are obese. • Disparities exist across racial/ethnic groups, with African Americans, particularly women, being disproportionately impacted by obesity. • Studies have examined biological (e.g., CRP) and psychological (e.g., anxiety, stress, depression, anger/hostility) correlates of obesity. • However, scant research exists on how these factors influence obesity in African Americans, as well as, risk factors that are unique to African Americans (e.g., coping with racism). Design and Methodology • Participants: African Americans (N=165), males (n=82) and females (n=83), 18 to 73 years of age, residing in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia, were the participants in this study. • Setting: Howard University Hospital’s General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) located in Washington, DC was the study site. • Tests and Measures: Informed consent was obtained. Participants completed self-report measures of anxiety, depression, anger/hostility, coping with perceived racism, and perceived stress. Participants also underwent a medical examination, which included measurements of body mass index (BMI) and C-reactive protein (CRP). ELISA assay procedures were conducted for serum CRP. Weight and height measurements were used to calculate BMI. • Anxiety, depression, and anger/hostility were measured using the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO-PI-R; Costa & McCrae, 1992). Perceived stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen et al., 1983). Coping with perceived racism was measured using the Perceived Racism Scale (McNeilly et al., 1986). Results Implications Bivariate Analyses • The process by which coping with racism influences obesity in African Americans needs to be further explored. • Mood states need to be considered when conducting research with and providing services to African Americans at risk for obesity. • Health promotion and the prevention and treatment of obesity need to be targeted to the specific experiences of African Americans. Note: significant correlations are highlighted Sample Characteristics (N=165) Acknowledgment Age (yrs.) 45.18 + 12.02 Men n=82 (49.7%) Women n=83 (50.3%) Coping with Perceived Racism 8.60 + 4.93 Anxiety 50 + 5 Depression 50 + 5 Anger/hostility 50 + 5 Perceived Stress 15.72 + 7.07 C-reactive protein (log normalized) 0.47 + 1.23 Body Mass Index (kg/m²) 30.98 + 8.72 ____________________________ Values are expressed as mean + SD or number (%). Regression Analysis • This research is part of a larger study entitled “Stress and Psychoneuroimmulogical Factors in Renal Health and Disease” that is funded by The National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities under grant #1P20MD000512-04, “A Research Center to Reduce Ethnic Disparities in ESRD.” Outcome Variable: BMI