College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Term of Award

Spring 2026

Degree Name

Doctor of Public Health in Public Health Leadership (Dr.P.H.)

Document Type and Release Option

Dissertation (open access)

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Department

Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health

Committee Chair

Dziyana Nazaruk

Committee Member 1

William Mase

Committee Member 2

ahansen@georgiasouthern.edu

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the factors that influence body image perception among African American women in the metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia area and examined how these perceptions shape physical activity and dietary behaviors. Body image perception is a critical psychocultural factor influencing obesity-related behaviors, particularly among African American women who navigate culturally specific beauty standards and health beliefs. Guided by the Socioecological Model, this study addressed three research questions: (1) how African American women perceive their body image, (2) how these perceptions influence health behaviors, and (3) what multilevel factors shape body image perceptions. This study employed consensual qualitative research (CQR) using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with African American women ages 20 to 55 residing in Henry, Clayton, Fulton, and DeKalb counties. A predeveloped interview guide consisting of open-ended questions and probes was used to explore participants’ body image, physical activity, and dietary behaviors. The protocol was pilot tested and refined prior to data collection. Participants were selected using purposeful intensity sampling, and data collection continued until saturation was reached. Data was analyzed through domain coding, development of core ideas, and cross-analysis to identify themes across cases. Findings revealed that body image perception is dynamic and shaped by interconnected influences at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, and societal levels. Body image perceptions influenced physical activity and dietary behaviors through both motivators, such as mental wellness and health maintenance, and barriers, including time constraints, convenience, and environmental access. Cultural beauty standards, social relationships, and socioeconomic conditions further shaped how participants evaluated their bodies and engaged in health behaviors. Overall, findings suggest that body image and related health behaviors are shaped by complex, multilevel influences rather than individual choice alone. These results underscore the need for culturally responsive, multilevel public health interventions to support sustainable health behaviors among African American women.

Research Data and Supplementary Material

No

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