Obesity and overweight issues are nationally recognized crises for African American women. A noteworthy gap remains in the literature regarding this population's experiences with excessive weight, specifically, the role of culture and social support networks on their experience with being overweight. Without an understanding of the experience and meaning of being overweight for African American women, physicians and clinicians will not be able to fully support African American women in their weight loss journeys. Using the social learning theory as a framework, the purpose of this phenomenological research study was to explore experiences of obese or overweight middle-aged African American women while discovering the roles of culture and social support network in those experiences. Twelve women participated in individual, semi-structured interviews with the researcher. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and thematically analyzed. Findings showed that emotional eating and over-indulgence contributed to their obesity; social support networks supported their behaviors in attempts to be supportive and non-judgmental and eating was a primary feature of social interactions and cultural events. Their stories showed how important eating was to African American women's relationships and social interactions and how the social environment may be contributing to the crisis of obesity in this population. This study's results could be used to help promote positive social change in this population by helping African American women develop weight management programs that also support their lifestyle and cultural focus on food. Furthermore, examining how to engage socially and balance the social elements with proper eating should be the focus of future research.

Introducción: Durante los primeros días de vida la madre es la principal fuente de alimento para el recién nacido. Sin embargo, es común que la madre presente trastornos de la lactancia y se genere una pérdida de peso neonatal mayor a la fisiológica. Objetivo: Estimar la magnitud y asociación entre los trastornos de la lactancia y la pérdida de peso neonatal mayor a la fisiológica en neonatos en el área de alojamiento conjunto de un servicio de neonatología en un hospital de la seguridad social en Lima, Perú. Métodos: Estudio de tipo transversal analítico. Registramos el peso neonatal en una evaluación de rutina (entre las 24 y 72 horas de vida) y lo comparamos con el peso al nacer. La pérdida de peso excesiva fue definida como una diferencia igual o mayor al 7%. Mediante una encuesta y verificación visual investigamos los trastornos de la lactancia materna (retraso en el inicio, posición de la boca, duración de la lactancia, frecuencia de la lactancia, sobreabrigo, dolor en el pezón y forma de la C). La asociación entre la pérdida de peso excesiva y los trastornos, ajustada por otros factores, fue cuantificada mediante un modelo linear generalizado múltiple. Resultados: En 18,8% (74/393) de los neonatos, la pérdida de peso excesiva fue igual o mayor al 7% del peso al nacer. La posición inadecuada de la boca en el pezón estuvo presente en 53,7% (211/393) de los neonatos mientras que el dolor en el pezón fue reportado en 44,0 (173/393). En el análisis ajustado, el dolor en el pezón [RP=1,50(IC95%:1,02-2,22)] y la posición inadecuada de la boca [RP=1,67(IC95%:1,09-2,57)] estuvieron asociados a una mayor ocurrencia de pérdida peso excesiva. Conclusiones: Los trastornos de la lactancia son comunes. Estos factores están directa y positivamente asociados a una mayor ocurrencia de pérdida de peso excesiva. La introducción de mejoras en las prácticas de lactancia, por ejemplo mediante programas educativos, podría disminuir la ocurrencia de pérdida de peso neonatal excesiva. / Introduction: During the first days of life the mother is the main source of nutrients for the newborn. However, breastfeeding difficulties are common and may generate excessive neonatal weight loss. Objective: Estimate the magnitude and association between breastfeeding problems and excessive neonatal weight loss beyond the physiological norm in the neonatology ward in a social security hospital in Lima, Peru Methods: We conducted a cross sectional analysis of the recorded neonatal weight in a routine evaluation (between 24 and 72 hours of life) and compared it against birth weight. Excessive weight loss was defined as a difference greater than or equal to 7 %. Breastfeeding problems (defined as problems with breastfeeding initiation, mouth position, breastfeeding duration, breastfeeding frequency, too much clothing, nipple pain and C form) were investigated using a survey and visual verification. The association between excessive weight loss and breastfeeding problems, adjusted by other factors, was quantified using a multiple generalized linear model. Results: Excessive weight loss was present in 18.8% (74/393) of the newborns. Improper positioning of the mouth on the nipple was present in 53.7% (211/393) of neonates while nipple pain was reported by 44.0% (173/393) of mothers. In the adjusted analysis, nipple pain [PR = 1.50 (95% CI: 1.02 to 2.22)] and improper positioning of the mouth [PR = 1.67 (95% CI: 1.09- 2.57)] were associated with an increased occurrence of excessive neonatal weight loss. Conclusions: Breastfeeding problems are common. These difficulties are significantly associated with an increased occurrence of excessive neonatal weight loss. Improvements in breastfeeding practices, for example through educational programs, may decrease the occurrence of excessive neonatal weight loss. / Tesis