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This study developed a model to explain obesity in African American (AA) women, using the Explanatory and Health Belief Models. AA women from a lower socio-economic, lower education background were asked research questions relating to demographic variables, individual perceptions of weight and the complications of obesity, cues to action or inaction, perceived susceptibility to, seriousness of, and perceived threat of obesity, benefits of action, barriers to action and likelihood of taking preventative health action. Global themes were analyzed and The Blended Model of Obesity was developed and can be a useful tool to explain obesity in AA women.

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Ruth Williams-Hooker is a graduate of the University of Memphis and has been an Assistant Professor and Director of the Nutrition Masters/ Internship Program at the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee since 2008. From 1989 through 2008 she was Director of Clinical Nutrition Services at St. Jude Children´s Research Hospital in Memphis.

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