Determinants of Obesity in Two Urban Communities: Perceptions and Community-Driven Solutions

Abstract

<p class="Pa7"><strong>Objective: </strong>In the search of solutions to the rising rates of obesity, community perspec­tives are important because they highlight areas of need and help determine the level of community support for potential interventions. This study aimed to identify community perceptions of factors associated with obesity in two urban municipalities – one racially mixed and one predomi­nantly African American – and to explore community-driven solutions to the problem of obesity.</p><p class="Pa7"><strong>Methods: </strong>The study used Photovoice meth­odology to understand what community members perceived as obesity-promoting factors in their residential environments.</p><p class="Pa7"><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 96 photographs of factors relevant to obesity were discussed. Most commonly depicted were restaurants, gro­cery stores, fast food, and fitness centers. In 10 race-stratified focus groups, participants made 592 comments on 12 themes, the most common being restaurants, physical activity, food stores, and proposed solutions. The top three themes – restaurants, physical activity, and food stores – accounted for 58% of all barriers to healthy weight. Pro­posed solutions ranged from personal efforts and peer support, to educating adults and children, to community action.</p><p class="Default"><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Interventions addressing the immediate food and physical activity environment – restaurants, grocery stores, and resources for physical activity – may have high likelihood of success as they align with community needs and understanding of priorities. Health education and promo­tion programs that increase food-related knowledge and skills are also needed and likely to receive strong community support.</p><p class="Default"><em>Ethn Dis. </em>2018;28(1):33-42; doi:10.18865/ ed.28.1.33.</p>