title: Racial disparities in the risk of developing obesity-related diseases: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Analyze racial/ethnic disparities in the prevalence of obesity and its related diseases in Massachusetts and assess disparities in the risk of developing diseases related to overweight and obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional analysis of survey data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community-based US population.
  
  
  METHODS
  63,235 non-institutionalized adults in Massachusetts.
  
  
  METHODS
  BMI, overweight and obesity prevalence and prevalence of obesity-related- diseases, odds of developing obesity-related diseases. Participants were considered hypercholesterolemic, diabetic, hypertensive, or having a cardiovascular disease if they reported that a health professional told them that they had such a disease. Behavioral characteristics of respondents included fruit and vegetable consumption, alcohol drinking, smoking, and physical activity. Demographic variables included sex, age, marital status, employment status, household income, region of residence, and educational status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blacks (OR = 1.97) and Hispanics (OR = 1.81) had higher odds of obesity as compared to Whites. Blacks had higher odds of high blood pressure (OR = 1.88), heart attack (OR = 1.40) and stroke (OR = 2.14) than Whites. Hispanics were more likely to have high blood pressure (OR = 1.34), high cholesterol (OR = 1.56), stroke (OR = 1.71), and heart attack (OR = 1.54) than Whites. Hispanics (OR = 2.71) and Blacks (OR = 2.58) had the highest odds of diabetes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Minority groups share a disproportionate risk of obesity and obesity-related diseases. Hispanics and Blacks have significantly higher odds of obesity and its related diseases. Continued emphasis on racial/ethnic groups at greatest risk of obesity remains critical.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Monguio
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000208:ethnology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult