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Linking Obesity Prevention and Mental Health Promotion to Address Health Disparities

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Abstract

Considerable racial health disparities exist, especially in mental health and obesity. However, few approaches exist to address obesity and mental health simultaneously in minority groups. An intervention to address mental health in a low-income, minority group of urban mothers was designed using results from a needs assessment. Participating women were asked to rank their top health concerns and personal goals. Along with mental health concerns and basic needs, the majority of mothers desired assistance with improving their physical well-being. These results are surprising, but lend credence to creating interventions that aim to address both mental health and obesity concerns simultaneously.

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Acknowledgments

Funding for the MOMS Partnership was provided by the Office of Women’s Health, Grant Number CCEWH111021.

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Correspondence to Elizabeth Claydon.

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Claydon, E., Austin, A. & Smith, M.V. Linking Obesity Prevention and Mental Health Promotion to Address Health Disparities. Community Ment Health J 52, 395–398 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-015-9915-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-015-9915-z

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