DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/1C5W-5186

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4633-5677

Defense Date

2020

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Social and Behavioral Health

First Advisor

Dr. Jessica Gokee LaRose

Abstract

The overarching goal of the proposed work was to examine how racial discrimination contributes to disparities in adiposity and treatment response between non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White emerging adult women, and to identify potential protective and risk factors that might moderate this association—all in service of improving lifestyle interventions for this high-risk population. Project aims were achieved across three studies. In Study 1, we extracted data for emerging adults (N=261, BMI=33.8+4.9 kg/m2, age=21.9+2.1 years) who recently completed a BWL program adapted specifically for emerging adults and compared treatment outcomes for non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black women. In Study 2 (N=49), we examined the association between racial discrimination and treatment response, and we explored potential moderators of this association. In Study 3, we recruited a new sample of non-Hispanic Black emerging adult women (N=22, 18-25 years, BMI=25-45kg/m2), who completed a 14-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) protocol. Results indicate racial discrimination could play a role in obesity treatment disparities among non-Hispanic Black emerging adult women.

Rights

© Kristal Lyn Brown

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

8-6-2020

Available for download on Tuesday, August 05, 2025

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