 |
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
|
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Delores C.S. James, PhD, RD, LD, Health Science Education, University of Florida, PO Box 118210, Gainesville, FL 32611, 352-392-0583, djames@hhp.ufl.edu
The goals of this project were to (1) identify weight loss methods by African Americans and to (2) assess if weight loss methods varied by gender. A self-administered survey was completed by 763 African Americans adults (534 women and 229 men) in north-central Florida. Thirty-three percent of men and 26% of men were somewhat satisfied with their weight. However, significantly more women (50%) than men (27%) were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their weight; and significantly more men (40%) than women (24%) were satisfied or very satisfied with their weight (X2=43.51, p<.0001). Sixty-two percent of respondents (n=463) tried to lose weight in the last 12 months; with significantly more women (70%) trying to lose weight than men (45%), (X2=42.69, p<.0001). Of those who tried to lose weight, most tried to lose weight by decreasing fried foods (70%), decreasing sweets (74%) and increasing exercise levels (77%). Less popular weight loss strategies included skipping meals (32%); fasting on water or juice (33%); using commercial liquid meals (16%); using diet pills (9%); joining a commercial weigh loss programs (9%); using a physician prescribed diet (7%); and using laxatives (5%). Women were significantly more likely than men to use liquid meals, diet pills, join a commercial weight loss program, and increase exercise levels to lose weight (p<.05). This study documents the need to develop gender-specific programs weight control programs. Gender-specific strategies will be discussed.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: African American, Obesity
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.