title: The Association Between Obesity and Weight Loss Intention Weaker Among Blacks and Men than Whites and Women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although obesity is associated with weight loss intention, the magnitude of this association may differ across various populations. Using a nationally representative data of the United States, this study tested the variation of the association between obesity and weight loss intention based on race and gender.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data came from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL), 2001-2003, which enrolled 5,810 nationally representative sample of adults (3,516 African Americans, 1,415 Caribbean Blacks, and 879 Non-Hispanic Whites). Socio-demographics, body mass index (BMI), and weight loss intention were measured. We fitted logistic regression models in the pooled sample with weight loss intention as outcome, obesity (BMI > 30) as predictor, while the effect of covariates were controlled. To test our moderation hypotheses, we entered race * obesity and gender * obesity interactions to the model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although the association between obesity and weight loss intention was significant among both race and gender groups, the magnitude of the association between obesity and weight loss intention was larger for women than men and Whites than Blacks. That means individuals with obesity have less intention for weight loss if they are Black or men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The link between obesity and weight loss intention depends on race and gender. Weight loss intention may not increase in response to obesity among Blacks and men, compared to Whites and women. Healthy weight programs in the United States may benefit from tailoring based on race and gender.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, MI, USA ; Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture and Health, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Shervin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Assari
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture and Health, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Maryam Moghani
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Lankarani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017691:Caribbean Region / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000208:ethnology*; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Obesity; ethnic groups; gender; race; weight loss intention