UCLA

The African-American family has experienced changes in composition since the involuntary migration from Africa to the Americas. This pivotal change in family composition has affected every aspect of life for African Americans.

Using body mass index (BMI) as a proxy for eating patterns and physical activity, this study examines the changes in family composition and its impact on BMI for African-American women. To examine the relationship between changing family composition and BMI over a 10-year period (2001-2011), this study uses publicly available data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. A series of bivariate correlational analyses and ordinary least-squares regressions via a mixed effects panel regression model were performed to examine women living in Traditional Households (married or cohabiting greater than or equal to 1 year) and Non-Traditional Households (female headed households no husband or cohabitor) and changes in BMI over time.

Obesity increased by 45.9% for women in Traditional Households versus 42.9% for women in Non-Traditional Households from 2001 - 2011.