A comparison of weight control behaviors in African American and Caucasian women.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of the present study was to examine whether there are overall differences in help-seeking, in specific weight control behaviors used, and in predictors of seeking professional help for weight loss between African American and Caucasian women. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Participants were recruited from community sources in Philadelphia. PARTICIPANTS One hundred twenty female participants were studied. Of these, 58% were African American. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Participants completed a packet of measures assessing weight-control behaviors, body mass index, co-morbid medical conditions, socioeconomic status, disordered eating behavior, and body image. RESULTS Caucasian women were significantly more likely to be classified as high help-seekers than were African American women, X2 = 4.27, P = .04. Caucasian women were more likely to use commercial weight loss programs, X2 = 4.25, P = .04, while African American women were more likely to try herbal supplements for weight control, X2 = 6.21, P = .01. Higher scores on a measure of body image, responsiveness to the food environment, and the disinhibition and hunger subscales of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) predicted seeking professional help for Caucasian women only. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that African American and Caucasian women differ in overall weight-control efforts as well as in specific behaviors used. Furthermore, interactions were found between some factors associated with help-seeking and ethnicity. A better understanding of how available programs could be augmented to address the needs of African American and other minority groups is necessary.