Racial/Ethnic Differences in Weight-Loss Strategies among US Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2012.

BACKGROUND: Dieting, exercising, and seeking professional help have been associated with intentional weight loss among adults.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the use of diet (eg, ate less, ate less fat, or switched to low-calorie foods), exercise, diet and exercise, and professional help (eg, weight-loss program or prescribed diet pills) for weight loss among non-Hispanic whites, Mexican Americans, and non-Hispanic blacks.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional data from the 2007-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used.

PARTICIPANTS: Males and females (n=9,046) aged 20 to 65 years were included.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The weight history questionnaire assessed weight-loss attempts and use of weight-loss strategies in the past year.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate associations of race/ethnicity with strategies to lose weight. Models controlled for age, sex, education, and body mass index. In fully adjusted models, interactions of race/ethnicity by sex were tested.

RESULTS: Lower proportions of Mexican Americans (35%) and non-Hispanic blacks (35%) than non-Hispanic whites (39%) reported trying to lose weight. Among those who tried to lose weight, non-Hispanic blacks were less likely than non-Hispanic whites to use diet (odds ratio [OR] 0.78, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.90) or exercise (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.99) for weight loss. Mexican Americans (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.95) and non-Hispanic blacks (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.95) were also less likely than non-Hispanic whites to use professional help for weight loss. The relationships between race/ethnicity and weight-loss strategy were stronger for females than males.

CONCLUSIONS: Targeted efforts are needed to address racial/ethnic disparities in weight-loss attempts and use of recommended strategies especially among females.