title: Social network characteristics associated with weight loss among black and hispanic adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine social network member characteristics associated with weight loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional examination included egocentric network data from 245 Black and Hispanic adults with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) enrolled in a small change weight loss study. The relationships between weight loss at 12 months and characteristics of helpful and harmful network members (relationship, contact frequency, living proximity, and body size) were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 2,571 network members identified. Mean weight loss was -4.8 (±11.3) lbs. among participants with network help and no harm with eating goals vs. +3.4 (±7.8) lbs. among participants with network harm alone. In a multivariable regression model, greater weight loss was associated with help from a child with eating goals (P = 0.0002) and coworker help with physical activity (P = 0.01). Weight gain was associated with having network members with obesity living in the home (P = 0.048) and increased network size (P = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was greater weight loss among participants with support from children and coworkers. Weight gain was associated with harmful network behaviors and having network members with obesity in the home. Incorporating child and coworker support and evaluating network harm and the body size of network members should be considered in future weight loss interventions.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Ginger J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Winston
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluative Sciences Research, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Erica G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wethington
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Devine
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistical Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluative Sciences Research, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Janey C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluative Sciences Research, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hippolyte
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluative Sciences Research, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Rosio
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluative Sciences Research, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Guillerma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eldridge
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluative Sciences Research, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Charlson
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss