Racial Differences in Weight Loss Among Adults in a Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention: Role of Diet and Physical Activity.
BACKGROUND
African-Americans lose less weight during a behavioral intervention compared with Whites, which may be from differences in dietary intake or physical activity.


METHODS
Subjects (30% African American, 70% White; n = 346; 42.4 ± 9.0 yrs.; BMI = 33.0 ± 3.7 kg/m2) in an 18-month weight loss intervention were randomized to a standard behavioral (SBWI) or a stepped-care (STEP) intervention. Weight, dietary intake, self-report and objective physical activity, and fitness were assessed at 0, 6, 12, and 18 months.


RESULTS
Weight loss at 18 months was greater in Whites (-8.74 kg with 95% CI [-10.10, -7.35]) compared with African Americans (-5.62 kg with 95% CI [-7.86, -3.37]) (P = .03) in the SBWI group and the STEP group (White: -7.48 kg with 95% CI [-8.80, -6.17] vs. African American: -4.41kg with 95% CI [-6.41, -2.42]) (P = .01). Patterns of change in dietary intake were not different between groups. Objective physical activity (PA) changed over time (P < .0001) and was higher in Whites when compared with African Americans (P = .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Whites lost more weight (3.10 kg) than African American adults. Although there were no differences in dietary intake, Whites had higher levels of objective PA and fitness. Thus, the discrepancy in weight loss may be due to differences in PA rather than dietary intake. However, the precise role of these factors warrants further investigation.
Dept of Health and Physical Activity, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Kelliann K
KK
Davis
Deborah F
DF
Tate
Wei
W
Lang
Rebecca H
RH
Neiberg
Kristen
K
Polzien
Amy D
AD
Rickman
Karen
K
Erickson
John M
JM
Jakicic
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D001835:Body Weight; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D057566:Self Report; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000379:methods*; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult