Comparisons between African American Girls' and Parents' Perceptions of Girls' Weight Concerns and Weight Control Behaviors∗

Abstract

Weight concerns and weight control behaviors were evaluated among sixty 8-10 year-old African American girls and their parents/caregivers. Girls completed the McKnight Risk Factor Survey and parents completed a modified version regarding perceptions of their daughters' concerns and behaviors. Significant correlations between girls' and parents' were seen for Overconcern with Weight and Shape (r = .56) and Weight Control Behaviors (r = .33). Parents' correctly identified 72% of girls' responses for Overconcern with Weight and Shape, 60% for Binge, 85% for Purging and 58% for Weight Control Behaviors scales using clinical cutoffs. However, more stringent agreement coefficients indicated generally poor concordance between girls and parents. The modified McKnight may be useful for assessing awareness of these issues.

Eating Disorders in African American Girls: Implications for Counselors

“…Although prior research has found that African American girls are less concerned with weight, dieting behaviors, or being thin compared with their European American counterparts (Dalton et al, 2007;Dounchis et al, 2001;Logio, 2003;Lynch et al, 2004;Pernick et al, 2006;S. H. Thompson, Corwin, & Sargent, 1997), some researchers have suggested that this trend may soon be changing in this population.…”