Perceptions and experiences of appetite awareness training among African-American women who binge eat

• Authors: Rachel W. Goode, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Melissa A. Kalarchian, Duquesne University; Linda Craighead, Emory University; Molly B. Conroy, University of Utah; Tiffany Gary-Webb, University of Pittsburgh; Elizabeth Bennett, Duquesne University; Mariah M. Cowell, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Lora E. Burke, University of Pittsburgh
• Journal Title: Eating and Weight Disorders
• Volume: Volume 25, Number 2
• Publisher: Springer | 2020-04-01, Pages 275-281
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-018-0577-z
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Nutrition; Women's Studies; Psychology, Behavioral; Health Sciences, Health Care Management
• Keywords: African-American; Binge eating; Obesity; Weight loss; Adult; African Americans; Appetite; Awareness; Bulimia; Feeding Behavior; Female; Focus Groups; Humans; Hunger; Middle Aged; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Patient Satisfaction; Qualitative Research; Satiety Response; Women

Abstract

Introduction: Binge eating may contribute to the prevalence of obesity in African-American women. Yet, there has been scant intervention research on the treatment of binge eating in this population. We tested the feasibility of an appetite awareness training (AAT) intervention in a sample of African-American women with binge and overeating behaviors. Participants who completed AAT were recruited to participate in focus groups to elicit information about their perceptions and experiences with this intervention to inform the design of future interventions to treat binge eating and obesity in African-American women. Methods: African-American women, aged 18–70 years, who had completed an 8-week randomized AAT intervention, were invited to attend a focus group discussion. Session content was recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed by use of open coding. Themes were identified that described their perceptions and experiences of participating in the intervention. Results: Seventeen women participated in three focus group discussions. Pertinent themes identified included: paying attention to internal cues of hunger and satiety, influence of culture on eating patterns, breaking patterns of disordered eating, and perceptions about weight. Overall, participants were satisfied with their experience of AAT, and reported they found it valuable to learn about listening to biological signals of hunger and satiety and to learn specific strategies to reduce maladaptive eating patterns. Conclusion: AAT was acceptable and provided helpful eating behavior instruction to African-American women with reported binge and overeating behaviors. Future research should examine the potential of AAT to improve weight management in this underserved population. Level of evidence: Level V, qualitative descriptive study.