Thesis--University of Chicago, 1918. / Reprint of the 1918 ed. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Marshall University, 2004. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 66 p. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 56-60).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 2009. / Title from title page screen (viewed on August 11, 2009). Research advisor: Patricia A. Cowan, Ph.D. Document formatted into pages (xi, 107 p. : ill.). Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 74-93).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Virginia, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online through Digital Dissertations.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 197-218).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Minnesota, 2000. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 238-250).

Thesis--University of Oklahoma. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-82).

While obesity is a nationwide phenomenon, African Americans - especially women - continue to be more severely affected than any other ethnic group. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 20% of African American women are obese compared to 15.6% of Caucasian women. The church is an important community center for many African Americans, and is often a site for health promotion programs, though little is known of the effectiveness of these programs. The purpose of this qualitative study was to study the experiences and attitudes of African American women who have gone through a church-based weight-loss program. Questions were asked about the cultural, environmental and social barriers to weight loss, and the components of effective church-based weight loss programs. Using a phenomenological approach, this study was designed to capture new data for the development of sustainable church-based weight-loss programs. The theory of social support was used as a theoretical framework. The major themes arising from the data concerned the importance of: (a) social support on all levels; (b) the involvement of the pastor, his spouse, or other church leadership; (c) the inclusion of weight-loss participants in program design; (d) a holistic program design to meet the needs of the entire family; and (e) a culturally sensitive program. The inclusion of all these elements is recommended for future programs. The social change implication is that these recommendations could be helpful in the design, development, and implementation of sustainable church-based weight-loss programs for African American women.

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