Abstract P562: Body Size Dissatisfaction is High in African Immigrants With Obesity: Insight From the Africans in America Cohort

Abstract

Background: In African populations, attitudes towards both optimal body size and healthful weights are evolving. Due to the adverse effect of obesity on health, larger body sizes are beginning to be seen as less ideal. Our goal was to determine body size satisfaction in African immigrants who were obese. Methods: The participants were 326 African-born Blacks enrolled in the Africans in America cohort and living in metropolitan Washington DC (female: 39%, age 40±11y (mean±SD). The African region of origin of the participants were: West: 49% (161/326), Central 12% (39/326) and East: 39% (126/326). Twenty-seven percent (89/326) of the countries of origin were francophone. Enrollees were asked to rank their current body size and ideal body size according to the Stunkard Figure Rating Scale. Body size satisfaction was determined by the difference between perceived and wish body size. Results: BMI was higher in women than men (29.1±4.9 vs. 27.0±3.9 kg/m 2 , P<0.001). The overall prevalence of obesity was 27% (88/326) and higher in women than men (38% vs 20%, P=0.001). Among participants with obesity, there was no difference by sex in degree of dissatisfaction due to high body size (OR 2.14, 95% CI: 0.48, 9.58, P=0.32). Attitudes towards body size in participants with obesity were: 1% (1/88) considered themselves too small, 8% (7/88) just right and 91% (80/88) too large (Figure). These results did not vary by African region of origin or francophone status. Conclusions: The majority of African immigrants with obesity were dissatisfied with their high BMI. To optimize health, risk factors associated with weight gain and body size dissatisfaction should be addressed.