Weight loss and African–American women: a systematic review of the behavioural weight loss intervention literature

Abstract

Background The excess burden of obesity among black women is well-documented. However, the behavioral weight loss intervention literature often does not report results by ethnic group or gender. Purpose The purpose of this article is to conduct a systematic review of all behavioral weight loss intervention trials published between 1990 and 2010 that included and reported results separately for black women. Methods The criteria for inclusion included: 1) participants age ≥18 years; 2) a behavioral weight loss intervention; 3) weight as an outcome variable; 4) inclusion of black women; and 5) weight loss results reported separately by ethnicity and gender. Results The literature search identified 25 studies that met inclusion criteria. Our findings suggest more intensive randomized behavioral weight loss trials with medically at-risk populations yield better results. Conclusions Well-designed and more intensive multi-site trials with medically at-risk populations currently offer the most promising results for black women. Still, black women lose less weight than other subgroups in behavioral weight loss interventions. It is now critical to expand on individual-level approaches and incorporate the biological, social, and environmental factors that influence obesity. This will help enable the adoption of healthier behaviors for this group of women disproportionately affected by obesity.

Comparison of weight loss achieved after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding between Afro-Caribbean, Caucasian and South Asian adult female patients in a London bariatric centre

“…Closer psychological and behavioural follow-up would also be beneficial. [8][9][10][11] Besides exercise, dietary and psychosocial factors, genetics has also been suggested as a potential cause for poorer weight loss outcomes in Afro-Caribbean patients. [8][9][10][11] Further research into the impact of genetics on weight loss can allow bariatric services to offer more realistic weight loss targets for their patients.…”

“…[8][9][10][11][12][16][17][18][19][20][21] Psychosocial and socioeconomic factors were not formally assessed in our study.…”

“…[5][6][7] An English governmental health survey that included 3,699 females showed the prevalence of obesity was considerably higher among Black Caribbean (31.9%) than Caucasian (20.9%) females. 7 Afro-Caribbean females have greater difficulty in achieving and maintaining weight loss through exercise, dieting and behavioural interventions [8][9][10][11] as well as following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass 12,13 or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) procedures. 14,15 Resistance to weight loss among Afro-Caribbeans is thought to be multifacto-PHOENIX PENNEy COCKER DAvIES SMELLIE BONANOMI THOMPSON EFTHIMIOU comPARIson of wEIGht loss AchIEvEd AftER lAPARoscoPIc AdjUstABlE GAstRIc BAndInG BEtwEEn AfRo-cARIBBEAn, cAUcAsIAn And soUth AsIAn AdUlt fEmAlE PAtIEnts In A london BARIAtRIc cEntRE rial, including genetic, psychosocial and behavioural factors.…”

“…14,15 Resistance to weight loss among Afro-Caribbeans is thought to be multifacto-PHOENIX PENNEy COCKER DAvIES SMELLIE BONANOMI THOMPSON EFTHIMIOU comPARIson of wEIGht loss AchIEvEd AftER lAPARoscoPIc AdjUstABlE GAstRIc BAndInG BEtwEEn AfRo-cARIBBEAn, cAUcAsIAn And soUth AsIAn AdUlt fEmAlE PAtIEnts In A london BARIAtRIc cEntRE rial, including genetic, psychosocial and behavioural factors. [8][9][10][11][12][16][17][18][19][20][21] The prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥30kg/m 2 ) among South Asian females in the UK varies according to country of origin: 25.6% of Pakistani females are obese, 19.6% of Indian females and 9.5% of Bangladeshi females. 7 However, the World Health Organization defines obesity among the Asian population with a lower BMI of ≥27.5kg/m 2 .…”

Intervenção PRAdA: Efeitos no Peso Induzidos por Proposta de Alteração de Comportamento Alimentar em Hipertensos Medicados Nativos Portugueses e Imigrantes de Origem Africana

“…7 Outros estudos com intervenções similares reportam perdas de peso inferiores nas mulheres negras comparativamente aos homens negros e à etnia caucasiana. 8,9 Em Portugal, dos 341 313 imigrantes em situação regular, 21,6% são oriundos dos Países Africanos de Língua Oficial Portuguesa (PALOP). 10 Segundo os dados do quarto Inquérito Nacional de Saúde 2005/06, a HTA é uma das doenças crónicas mais frequentemente autorreportadas entre as comunidades imigrantes (13,1% para imigrantes e 18,6% portugueses).…”