title: Weight loss and weight loss maintenance in African-American women.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with weight loss and weight loss maintenance in 23 African American women participating in a 32-week lifestyle enhancement awareness program (LEAP), 16 weekly sessions on weight loss and 16 weekly sessions on weight loss maintenance. A pre-test, post-test one group design was used. Measures included dietary readiness to lose weight, bioelectrical impedance analysis, lipid levels, blood pressure, waist/hip ratio, weight, height, and activity level. Women who completed the weight loss phase of the program showed a reduction in weight; body mass index; percentage body fat; and waist/hip ratio; and an increase in physical activity and dietary readiness to control over-eating. Weight loss was significantly correlated with attendance and dietary readiness to decrease emotional eating. Women who continued on to complete the weight loss maintenance classes maintained a significant loss in body mass index, and increased their high-density lipoproteins and dietary readiness to monitor hunger and eating cues. African-American women who sustain weight loss and weight loss maintenance regimens reduce their risks for developing chronic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Purdue University, School of Nursing, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1337, USA. jmcquigg@nursing.purdue.edu
authors.forename: Jacqueline A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Walcott-McQuigg
authors.forename: Shu-Pi
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Ernestine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: Aeree
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Suparat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wangsrikhun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy; D015431:Weight Loss