| African American women have the highest mortality rate for stroke, heart disease, cancer and diabetes of all ethnic groups.;This study examined the relationship between depression and obesity, health risk factors and obesity, age, education, socioeconomic status and obesity, and psychosocial issues and obesity among African American women living in Omaha, Nebraska.;A convenience sample of (N = 378) African American women completed the African American Female Health Survey which included the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). BMI was used as a measure of obesity.;There were statistically significant relationships between age and obesity (p = .002), socioeconomic status and obesity (p = .007), sedentary lifestyle and obesity (p = .007), and stress and obesity (p = .000). Cues to eat were significant predictors of obesity (p = .000) and depression (p = .000). There was a statistically significant and positive relationship between depression and obesity (p = .000). BMI contributed 22.7% of the variance in the model for depression and obesity. The mean BMI was 32.78 kg/m 2 and considered high risk for cardiovascular disease.;There were statistically significant relationships between education level and self-reported cholesterol (p = .045), education level and self-reported blood pressure (p = .018), and education level and participation in physical activity (p = .036).;Results suggest the need for culturally relevant health education programs. |
