FROM A WOMAN’S VIEWPOINT EXCESS WEIGHT: THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT

    Race seems to play a role in how women view themselves in relation to their weight. According to the most recent national weight statistics, there are more overweight and obese African American women than white or Hispanic women.Yet despite that fact, studies have found that black women often report being more satisfied with their appearance and tend to prefer a larger body size than women in other ethnic groups.

   Why do African American women seem to have a greater acceptance of a larger body image? Part of the answer may be that African American men are more accepting of them. Studies have found that black men are more likely than white or Hispanic men to accept greater variations in the body size of a woman they consider beautiful.