Big Talk: an exploration of seldom heard discourses of body shape and size from African Caribbean women in the context of Primary Care

Andrews, Nicole Alexis Clarke (2017). Big Talk: an exploration of seldom heard discourses of body shape and size from African Caribbean women in the context of Primary Care. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

African Caribbean women in the United Kingdom are more likely to be biomedically defined as overweight or obese than the general population and have an increased risk of developing obesity related chronic illnesses. For healthcare professionals to engage in meaningful discussion about weight management and; for the development of targeted intervention, it is important to have an understanding of alternative discourses of health and wellbeing that may be held by women of this ethnic group.
This qualitative research explores the discursive construction of health and wellbeing with regard to body shape and size for African Caribbean women. To address issues of under representation in applied health research, a novel research method was developed.
Thematic analysis was used to identify the contours of the discourse and themes from the data were explored within the wider social contexts from which they emerge. The importance of post memory; trust of healthcare systems and; meanings of wellness are central concepts for understanding health beliefs and behaviours of African Caribbean women. Findings demonstrate the importance for research design take into account the dynamics of seldom heard communities to encourage participation and elicit rich data that is useful for healthcare practice.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

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