Purpose: This qualitative study was conducted to explore perceptions of body size and shape in a group of black women with Type 2 diabetes.
Methods: Thirty-three black women with Type 2 diabetes participated in one of three focus groups to discuss perceptions about body size and body shape. Transcriptions of the discussion were analyzed for themes of participants' perceptions about their bodies, their ideas about body size and body shape, and personal and environmental influences on their preferences about size and shape.
Results: Participants preferred a middle-to-small body size but indicated that a middle-to-large body size was healthier. They also said that a large body size did result in some untoward social consequences. Participants preferred a pear-shaped body (a figure without abdominal adiposity). The three major influences on body image perceptions were children, parents, and the media.
Conclusions: With these findings in mind, diabetes education programs that are geared for black women may benefit from the inclusion of key family members. Additionally, the importance of body image perceptions should be recognized in the design and implementation of weight-related diabetes education programs.