Obesity-related Behaviors of Students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Students at non- Historically Black Colleges and Universities

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 570-583
Author(s):  
Jaesin Sa ◽  
Elizabeth Kwon ◽  
JangDong Seo ◽  
Siyoung Choe ◽  
Jean-Philippe Chaput ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Historically Black ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Black Colleges ◽  
Colleges And Universities ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
School Type ◽  
College Health ◽  
Historically Black Colleges ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Black Colleges And Universities

Objective: We investigated racial differences in overweight and obesity among 4 subgroups: (1) Whites at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs); (2) Whites at non-HBCUs; (3) Blacks at HBCUs; and (4) Blacks at non-HBCUs. Methods: We conducted multivariable logistic regression using cross-sectional data to examine correlates of overweight or obesity by race and school type among white and black students (N = 260,719) who completed the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment IIb from fall 2011 to spring 2015. Results: Among men, more Whites at HBCUs than Whites at non-HBCUs (22.22% vs 9.67%; p < .001) and more Blacks at HBCUs than Blacks at non-HBCUs (27.84% vs 16.64%; p < .001) had obesity. Among women, more Whites at HBCUs than Whites at non-HBCUs (25.82% vs 8.80%; p < .001) and more Blacks at HBCUs than Blacks at non-HBCUs (27.62% vs 20.58%; p < .001) had obesity. Overall, highest adjusted odds ratios for overweight and obesity were observed for Blacks at HBCUs (p < .001). Conclusions: Findings suggest the need for implementation of aggressive overweight and obesity prevention strategies for students at HBCUs. Additional research is needed to understand determinants of overweight and obesity among students at HBCUs.

Diversity Displays and Organizational Messaging: The Case of Historically Black Colleges and Universities

2021 ◽  
pp. 233264922098048
Author(s):  
Oneya Okuwobi ◽  
Deborwah Faulk ◽  
Vincent J. Roscigno
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Historically Black ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Black Colleges ◽  
Colleges And Universities ◽  
Historically Black Colleges ◽  
Organizational Diversity ◽  
Racial Equity ◽  
Black Colleges And Universities

Diversity has simultaneously become a pervasive goal and euphemism for racial differences in higher education. Although discourses within the postsecondary context highlight the positive impact of diversity on learning outcomes, organizational diversity efforts nevertheless warrant interrogation, given their possible obfuscation if not reification of, racial inequality and hierarchy. How do Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)—colleges and universities that are, by their very nature, racialized organizations within higher education—express and adapt to the challenges presented by diversity imperatives? In this article, we interrogate this question through systematic content analyses of visual and narrative materials from 31 HBCUs. Results highlight how these institutions often rely on the same mechanisms that characterize diversity within predominately White institutions (PWIs)—commodification of difference and disconnection from issues of racial equity. Consequently, diversity for HBCUs reflects the more general racialized inequality regime in higher education—a regime wherein these organizations largely reinforce ideas, such as racial capitalism, which have implications for racial equity. Our results and discussion hold implications for scholarship on organizational diversity but are also informative with regard to the capacity and constraints of racialized organizations to meet the needs and interests of those they serve.

Examining Disparities in Food Access Between Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Non-Historically Black Colleges and Universities

2021 ◽  
pp. 089011712110244
Author(s):  
Mariah Kornbluh ◽  
Shirelle Hallum ◽  
Marilyn Wende ◽  
Joseph Ray ◽  
Zachary Herrnstadt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Historically Black ◽  
Food Access ◽  
The United States ◽  
Black Colleges ◽  
Colleges And Universities ◽  
Historically Black Colleges ◽  
Census Tracts ◽  
Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Black Colleges And Universities

Purpose: Examine if Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are more likely to be located in low food access area (LFA) census tracts compared to public non-HBCUs. Design: ArcGIS Pro was utilized to capture food environments and census tract sociodemographic data. Setting: The sample included 98 HBCUs and 777 public non-HBCUs within the United States. 28.9% of study census tracts were classified as LFA tracts. Measures: University data were gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics. Census tract-level LFA classification was informed by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Access Research Atlas. Covariates included population density and neighborhood socioeconomic status of census tracts containing subject universities. Analysis: Multilevel logistic regression was employed to examine the relationship between university type and LFA classification. Results: A higher percentage of HBCUs (46.9%) than public non-HBCUs (26.6%) were located in LFAs. After adjusting for population density and neighborhood socioeconomic status, university type was significantly associated with food access classification (B=0.71;p=.0036). The odds of an HBCU being located in LFA tracts were 104% greater than for a public non-HBCU (OR=2.04;95% CI=1.26,3.29). Conclusion: Findings underscore the need for policy interventions tailored to HBCU students to promote food security, environmental justice, and public health.

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