Body Image and Race? Is there a link?

Tonight sets off week 3 at the Running Room, we did 1 minute walk and 2 minutes run,7 times.  Let me tell you ,there is a big difference between running 1 and 2 minutes.  The first 2 minutes felt like an eternity.  Nevertheless, I made it and it was more challenging, but still very doable.  I have 2 more practices; Wed. and Sun. to get used to this run and then next week are at 3 minutes.  We then had a speaker come and talk to use about stretching.  To be honest with you, I hate stretching, I find it SO boring, so I usually skip it (I know I am so bad).  I remember one instructor at the gym used to say that stretching is the dessert after a workout.  I know that it helps relieve soreness, as well as aids in lenghtening your muscles, as well as prevents possible injuries.  I really need to get into the habit of stretching more.

Let me ask you a question; do you think body image depends on race?  My friend at the gym (he is black), says that black women have better body image perception and that is why you do not see many of them in the gym until later in life, what do you think?  I think black women are more comfortable at a bigger size, because they have been told many times in their lives that it is ok to have curves/booty/thickness.  Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with this, but there are many women that confuse thick/with overweight and or obese. I am all about health, sure you can be 300 pounds and swear up and down that you are the shit and you look good, but that is NOT good for your heart.  We as black women really need to watch ourselves because we are getting heart attacks and heart disease younger and younger.  Like Jamie Oliver said this will be the first generation that may not outlive their parents.  Just something to think about...