The Role of Male Closeness on Black Adolescent Male Weight Status in Father‐Present Versus Male‐Kinship Households

Abstract

Black males from the ages of 12‐19 years olds are the only adolescent group in the United States to experience a significant increase in obesity rates from 1999‐2010. This rise translates into an increase in the odds of obesity prevalence of 1.05 annually. This study used the National Survey of American Life‐Adolescent, a nationally representative sample of African American and Caribbean Black adolescents (n=434), to examine the relationship between male closeness and BMI in father‐present and male‐kinship households among Black adolescents. Obesity levels were similar between father‐present (19%) and kinship households (20%). However, a greater percentage of adolescent males in male‐kinship homes (68%) were normal weight than in father‐present homes (60%). Male‐kinship homes reported higher percentages of male closeness (49%) in comparison to father‐present homes (46%). Ethnic differences were not present between households. In the initial bivariate analysis, Paternal Closeness Scores were negatively correlated with BMI in adolescent males who reported excellent relationship with a male in their life (p=.05). Yet, after accounting for age, household income, ethnicity, and participation in sports, higher male closeness was only predictive of lower BMI in kinship homessage (p=<.01). Family structure has a macro level role on obesity in Black adolescent males. Future interventions among Black adolescents should focus on male bonding as a way to reduce obesity levels.