Natural Hair: a Vital Component to Black Women's Health. 2021

Tara B Blackshear, and Kelsey Kilmon
Department of Kinesiology, Towson University, 8000 York Road, Burdick Hall 121L, Towson, MD, 21252, USA. tblackshear@towson.edu.

Hair is a barrier to physical activity engagement for Black women. Eurocentric and straight hairstyles have shown to compromise Black women's health; yet, the health implications of these hair practices have garnered little attention. This study examines the impact of natural hair on physical activity behaviors and health profiles among Black women. Sixty-nine Black women (ages 18-51) affiliated with a large predominately White institution completed demographic and hair questionnaires, Godin's Leisure-Time Exercise questionnaire, Rosenburg's self-esteem scale, and the Bankhead-Johnson hair-esteem scale. Body composition was assessed using waist circumference and body mass index. Descriptive statistics including mean, standard deviation, and percentages were employed to determine health status in each measure. Correlation analysis determined associations between each variable. Black women with natural hair were physically active, and had positive hair- and self-esteem profiles. Body composition was high; however, BMI metrics used are inappropriate for Black women. The authors conclude that natural hair may be a catalyst for Black women to improve mental and physical health. Afrocentric approaches that include affirmations of natural hairstyles are recommended to increase the effectiveness of health and physical activity promotion efforts that target Black women.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D015444 Exercise Physical activity which is usually regular and done with the intention of improving or maintaining PHYSICAL FITNESS or HEALTH. Contrast with PHYSICAL EXERTION which is concerned largely with the physiologic and metabolic response to energy expenditure. Aerobic Exercise,Exercise, Aerobic,Exercise, Isometric,Exercise, Physical,Isometric Exercise,Physical Activity,Acute Exercise,Exercise Training,Activities, Physical,Activity, Physical,Acute Exercises,Aerobic Exercises,Exercise Trainings,Exercise, Acute,Exercises,Exercises, Acute,Exercises, Aerobic,Exercises, Isometric,Exercises, Physical,Isometric Exercises,Physical Activities,Physical Exercise,Physical Exercises,Training, Exercise,Trainings, Exercise
D015992 Body Mass Index An indicator of body density as determined by the relationship of BODY WEIGHT to BODY HEIGHT. BMI Quetelet Index,Quetelet's Index,Index, Body Mass,Index, Quetelet,Quetelets Index
D016387 Women's Health The concept covering the physical and mental conditions of women. Woman's Health,Womens Health,Health, Woman's,Health, Women's,Health, Womens
D044383 Black People Persons having origins in any of the black racial groups of AFRICA. Note that OMB category BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN is available for the United States population groups. Race and ethnicity terms, as used in the federal government, are self-identified social construct and may include terms outdated and offensive in MeSH to assist users who are interested in retrieving comprehensive search results for studies such as in longitudinal studies. African Continental Ancestry Group,Black Person,Negroid Race,Black Peoples,Black Persons,Negroid Races,People, Black,Person, Black,Persons, Black,Race, Negroid
D055105 Waist Circumference The measurement around the body at the level of the ABDOMEN and just above the hip bone. The measurement is usually taken immediately after exhalation. Circumference, Waist,Circumferences, Waist,Waist Circumferences

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