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Aims: To uncover the mirror-viewing experience in African-American (AA) women with obesity., Background: Obesity is among the most preventable healthcare epidemics and is linked to multiple health problems. Unfortunately, AA women are disproportionately affected by obesity. Mirror exposure has exclusively used mirrors to treat various eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating. Participants in prior mirror exposure studies reported increased self-esteem, body image acceptance, behaviour modification, decreased weight and body shape concerns and lower rates of depression., Design: This qualitative study used hermeneutic phenomenology to explore and methodically analyse participants' experiences., Methods: Thirteen AA women who self-identified as having obesity were interviewed. A phenomenological hermeneutical approach was used to explore their mirror-viewing experience., Results: Two environmental themes surrounding this phenomenon were (1) family and culture and (2) stereotype/stigma and bias. Five phenomenological themes were identified: (1) I do not like what I see, (2) the struggle is real, (3) camouflage, (4) call for action and (5) loving the skin you are in., Conclusion: African-American women grappling with obesity confront emotional and body image challenges compounded by family, culture, bias and a sense of alienation within society. The mirror, for many, is an everyday tool that becomes a call for action. Despite earnest attempts to pursue a healthier weight, many find it daunting. Additional investigation into sensitive mirror intervention studies specific to this demographic is warranted to address these multifaceted issues better., Impact: The knowledge gained from the study offers an understanding of the mirror-viewing experience in AA women with obesity., Reporting Method: Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research., Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

In the United States, African American (AA) women suffer from higher rates of obesity as compared with Caucasians or Asians. Unfortunately, most weight management interventions have been unsuccessful in maintaining weight loss. Prior research has revealed that AA women face unique barriers in managing obesity; therefore, more research is warranted to address this problem. Leininger's theory is used to understand obesity through a cultural lens. The constructs of the sunrise model are defined as a means to intervene when providing nursing care through cultural preservation, accommodation, and repatterning. We conclude that culture care theory offers a theoretical framework to assist nurses in providing culturally sensitive care to Black women with obesity. Nurses caring for this population can utilize this theory to tailor interventions specific to the cultural needs of women to improve outcomes in the management of obesity. In this article, we use AA and Black interchangeably to represent Americans whose ancestors originate from Africa., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this review.

Aims and Objectives: To review the literature regarding the effects of mirror exposure on behaviour and obese patients. The review explored how mirror exposure influences behaviour in obese patients in terms of activity level, psychology and eating habits., Background: Obesity is a major epidemic that affects people worldwide but is more predominant in the Western world. Many health issues are directly linked to obesity, and current therapies have failed to provide a sustainable resolution to this problem. Mirror exposure has been used in eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating; however, there exists a gap in the use of mirrors in obese patients. The literature review focuses on the effects of mirror exposure on behaviour and obese patients., Method: A literature review of articles published between 2006 and 2020 related to mirror exposure in obese patients and the related effects., Results: Literature that explicitly discussed mirror exposure in obese patients was included; five research articles were reviewed., Conclusions: Mirror exposure can influence behaviour modification in obese patients. Therefore, the use of mirrors should be considered as an adjunct therapy in this group of patients., Relevance to Clinical Practice: Mirror exposure can positively alter behaviour in obese patients and can be used as an intervention in clinical practice to assist in weight loss and improve health outcomes., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease of cosmopolitan distribution and caused by the larval stage of the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.). CE occurs in the wider African continent and in Kenya, notably in the Maasailand and Turkana regions; however, recent studies demonstrate its presence in other parts of Kenya. This study determined the occurrence of CE in livestock (camels, goats, sheep and cattle) in Isiolo, Garissa and Wajir counties, and characterized the species of E. granulosus s.l. present. An abattoir survey was used to determine the presence of CE in various organs in livestock. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 gene was used for genotyping. A total of 1368 carcasses from 687 goats, 234 camels, 329 sheep and 118 cattle were inspected for the presence of hydatid cysts. The overall proportion of infections was 29.1% in camels, 14.4% in cattle, 9.9% in goats and 8.2% in sheep. The liver was the most infected organ, while only the lung of camels harboured fertile cysts. Of the 139 cysts genotyped, 111 (79.9%) belonged to Echinococcus canadensis (G6/7) and 20 (14.4%) to E. granulosus sensu stricto. One and two cysts were identified as Taenia saginata and unknown Taenia species, respectively. There was a significant association between county of origin and species of the animal with occurrence of CE. This study reports, for the first time, the characterization of Echinococcus species in livestock from Garissa and Wajir counties, and the current situation in Isiolo county. The fertility of cysts in camels and frequency of E. canadensis (G6/7) in all livestock species indicate that camels play an important role in the maintenance of CE in the north-eastern counties of Kenya.