How Identity, Stressors and Obesity should be considered in Intervention Programs to Reduce Chronic Disease Risk among Southern Middle-Aged African American Men

Abstract

Southern African American middle-aged men have high rates of obesity and premature mortality due to chronic illnesses. Different sources were brought together to perform a critical literature review to better understand how factors influence this population’s high rates of chronic disease risk and obesity and where to most effectively intervene. Based on this critical review, it suggests that there are a number of challenges that Southern African American men face when attempting to engage in healthy behaviors, manage stress and fulfill key age congruent roles and responsibilities. While there are a lot of efforts to intervene, one place it seems important to do so within the mesosystem via families and communities. We found that given the intersection of this populations many identities (Southern, African American, middle-aged, male), it is important to try to help them more effectively make healthy decision in their unhealthy environments (a result of race base residential segregation), overcome social norms and environmental stressors, and deal with their efforts to fulfill these masculine age-based roles. Future research should help to operationalize the idea of these identities and role strain by using an intersectional perspective that will take into account environment, culture, and social factors that influence African American men as they relate to disease risk.