Perceptions and experiences of appetite awareness training among African-American women who binge eat

Abstract

Level V, qualitative descriptive study.

Binge eating and binge‐eating disorder in Black women: A systematic review

“…For example, several studies have reported that, compared with White women, Black women may experience less subjective distress and shame related to engagement in BE behaviors (Franko, Becker, Thomas, & Herzog, ; Napolitano & Himes, ). This racial difference might be due to the presence of cultural norms that may permit eating larger portions of food and/or using food for emotional coping (Beauboeuf‐Lafontant, ; Goode et al, ). The experience of marked distress is a key diagnostic criterion for BED (American Psychiatric Association, , ); if Black women indicate binge‐eating behavior, yet also indicate the absence of marked distress, which may be influenced by cultural factors and norms, their eating pathology might be mischaracterized or underestimated.…”

“…Though the reasons for these disparities are likely complex, further investigation of the factors associated with retention in treatment for BE/BED in this population might be helpful. In a recent feasibility trial that included Black women with BE behaviors, retention was nearly 90%; the authors report that scheduling intervention sessions in a familiar community location and in the evening might have contributed to study retention (Goode et al, ). Additionally, in focus groups following the feasibility trial, participants acknowledged the benefit of feeling support from the facilitator and other group members (Goode et al, ).…”

“…In a recent feasibility trial that included Black women with BE behaviors, retention was nearly 90%; the authors report that scheduling intervention sessions in a familiar community location and in the evening might have contributed to study retention (Goode et al, ). Additionally, in focus groups following the feasibility trial, participants acknowledged the benefit of feeling support from the facilitator and other group members (Goode et al, ). Experiencing support while engaging in treatment for mental health or BE concerns might be particularly important for Black individuals; in previous research exploring the relation between ethnicity and mental health utilization, experiencing a positive alliance (e.g., feeling understood or heard by the therapist) was significantly associated with increased session completion in Black participants (Bender et al, ).…”

“…For example, in a recent focus group investigation in a sample of Black women with BED, participants were surprised that BE is considered disordered eating, and were unaware that their eating concerns met diagnostic criteria for BED (Scott et al, ). Indeed, Black women have reported experiencing cultural norms that encourage them to eat larger portions and not to waste food (Beauboeuf‐Lafontant, ; Goode et al, ). In addition, Black women have acknowledged that within their cultural group, it is considered acceptable to use food to cope with negative emotions (Beauboeuf‐Lafontant, ; Goode et al, ).…”

“…Indeed, Black women have reported experiencing cultural norms that encourage them to eat larger portions and not to waste food (Beauboeuf‐Lafontant, ; Goode et al, ). In addition, Black women have acknowledged that within their cultural group, it is considered acceptable to use food to cope with negative emotions (Beauboeuf‐Lafontant, ; Goode et al, ). Further research is needed to identify and evaluate strategies for increasing BED awareness, and mitigating racial biases in the identification of eating disorder symptoms in Black women.…”