African American Obese Women’s Perspectives Regarding Barriers to the Utilization of Bariatric Surgery: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore how obese African American women conceptualize and construct meaning around obesity and bariatric surgery. The authors specifically focused on gaining insight regarding present barriers which may prevent African American women from considering weight loss surgery as a possible option. Utilizing phenomenology as methodological approach, 14 African American obese women, based on body mass index, participated in 30- to 60-minute semistructured interviews regarding their perceptions of bariatric surgery as a treatment intervention for weight reduction. In the study, three themes emerged, which included (a) the meaning of obesity and bariatric surgery, (b) issues in communication, and (c) barriers to bariatric surgery utilization. In the article, the authors discuss clinical implications for African American women and for the medical community, as well as offer recommendations for future research.