Comparison of Factors Influencing Body Weight Among Diverse Individuals Receiving Food Stamps

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to obtain a greater understanding of factors influencing body weight among diverse racial/ethnic groups receiving Food Stamps. A Random Digit Dial survey was administered to a representative sample of individuals 30-44 years of age who received food stamp benefits from November 2005 to January 2006. Data was obtained from 100 individuals from each racial/ethnic group, namely White, African American, Native American and Hispanic, in the state of Oklahoma. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic data such as age, marriage status, education level, ethnicity, employment, monthly income, and BMI. ANOVA procedures were used to test the null hypothesis that there were no significant differences in means of body satisfaction scores, body image behavior scores, food security scores, and BMI among different racial groups. It has been reported that differences in obesity are associated with a significant difference in perception of body image among diverse ethnic groups and that these differences in perceptions of body image affect weight change and weight control. Results from our study indicate few differences when data was analyzed using race as the independent variable. However, more significant differences were found when the data was analyzed using food security status as the independent variable. We posit that ethnic differences are not as evident when individuals share common experiences such as poverty and body weight status. It is possible that being in poverty is a more influential factor on body weight than ethnicity among individuals of limited resources.