Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2010 Apr;21(2):104-13.
doi: 10.1177/1043659609357636.

Metabolic syndrome in African Americans: views on making lifestyle changes

Kenya Kirkendoll  1 , Patricia C Clark, Daurice Grossniklaus, Pricilla Igho-Pemu, Rebecca Mullis, Sandra B Dunbar
Affiliations

Metabolic syndrome in African Americans: views on making lifestyle changes

Kenya Kirkendoll et al. J Transcult Nurs. 2010 Apr.

Abstract

This study explores African American adults' understanding of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and their motivations for making lifestyle changes. African Americans have a greater risk for components of MetS, such as hypertension. Three focus groups were conducted with African American adults (n = 11) with MetS. Content analysis revealed five themes: Threat of Poor Health, Building Trust With Providers, Gaining Social Support, Seeking Culturally Acceptable Alternatives, and Getting on Track and Staying on Track. Lifestyle interventions for African Americans with MetS need to focus on building trust, developing self-monitoring skills, social support, and identifying low-cost/convenient opportunities for physical activity.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Ainsworth BE, Wilcox S, Thompson WW, Richter DL, Henderson KA. Personal, social, and physical environmental correlates of physical activity in African-American women in South Carolina. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2003;25(3 Suppl 1):23–29. - PubMed
    1. Bandura A. The anatomy of stages of change. American Journal of Health Promotion. 1997;12:8–10. - PubMed
    1. Blixen CE, Singh A, Thacker H. Values and beliefs about obesity and weight reduction among African American and Caucasian women. Journal Of Transcultural Nursing: Official Journal Of The Transcultural Nursing Society. 2006;17:290–297. - PubMed
    1. Bopp M, Wilcox S, Laken M, Butler K, Carter RE, McClorin L, et al. Factors associated with physical activity among African-American men and women. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2006;30:340–346. - PubMed
    1. Bosworth HB, Powers B, Grubber JM, Thorpe CT, Olsen MK, Orr M, et al. Racial differences in blood pressure control: potential explanatory factors. Journal of General Internal Medicine: Official Journal of The Society for Research and Education in Primary Care Internal Medicine. 2008;23:692–698. - PMC - PubMed

Publication types