Abstract
The present study examined the relationship among neighborhood characteristics, obesity, and the mental health outcomes of a nationally representative sample of African-American adolescent girls between the ages of 12 - 17. Using data from the 2011/2012 National Survey of Children’s Health, four questions were extracted to measure neighborhood amenities, neighborhood detractors, body mass index, and experience of depression. Ordinal regressions were calculated to estimate the relationships between all variables. The results indicated that over 25% of African-American girls, ages 12 - 14 were overweight and obese with fewer 15 - 17-year-old girls falling within these categories. African-American girls had access to fewer amenities in their communities while at the same time being exposed to more detracting elements within their neighborhoods. Finally over 25% of parents or caregivers reported that girls ages 12 - 17 expressed being depressed in the last 12 months and depression was found to be related to obesity. Overall, African-American adolescent girls tended to live in communities with fewer resources and were at greater risk for being overweight and obese and having poorer mental health outcomes than their white peers. They were also the least likely to receive mental health services. In addition, access to neighborhood amenities had been shown to lead to better health outcomes. Given the positive relationship between neighborhood amenities, access to quality healthcare and health outcomes, local, state, and federal governments should continue to advocate for the provision of resources to communities with a substantial number of detracting elements so as to reduce the health disparities within the community. In addition, psychologists and other health providers should continue to advocate for mental health services for African-American girls who are the least likely to receive them.
Highlights
Over the last 20 years obesity has been on the rise within the United States
The present study examined the relationship among neighborhood characteristics, obesity, and the mental health outcomes of a nationally representative sample of African-American adolescent girls between the ages of 12 - 17
Descriptive statistics were computed for adolescent girls between the ages of 12 - 17. 49.2% were 12 - years of age and 51% were between the ages of - 17
Summary
Over the last 20 years obesity has been on the rise within the United States. From the 1990’s until the present, the nation has gone from being mildly overweight to the current crisis where vast sectors of the population are overweight and obese (CDC, 2012) [1]. According to Sherwood, Story & Obasrzanek (2004) [2], there are several correlates of obesity in African-American girls, such as dietary factors, television viewing, physical activity level, and low socioeconomic status which places this group at risk. While having a low-income may be an important underlying cause which contributes to overweight and obesity in African-American girls, researchers such as James Jackson, have suggested that it cannot be the only factor, because African-American women and girls across all income levels are experiencing high incidences of overweight and obesity within the United States He proposes that because high rates of obesity are not isolated within one socioeconomic group of African-Americans, going forward researchers will need to take a closer look at the effect of other social determinants of health on this health disparity (Jackson, Knight, & Rafferty, 2010; American Psychological Association, 2014) [7] [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
