Perceptions of weight loss experience between African-Americans and Caucasians: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a growing epidemic in the USA, which leads to comorbidities associated with diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, cancer, gallbladder disease, and dyslipidemia. The purpose of this study is to identify perceptions of weight loss experience between African-American (AA) and Caucasian patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 31 patients participated in this study from May to June 2013. The sample size consisted of 16 AA and 15 Caucasians from two fully accredited and licensed bariatric clinics in metropolitan Detroit.

RESULTS

The sample (N = 31) consists of eligible AA and Caucasian presurgical bariatric patients on their first preoperative appointment. Snacking and sexual satisfaction showed a significant difference (p < 0.05), lower amongst Caucasians than amongst the AA. The results revealed that salary within the AA population was significantly lower than that of the Caucasians, especially in the $26.000 to $36,000 category as well as in the over $40,000 category.

CONCLUSIONS

The discrepancy widened as the variables of snacks, sexual satisfaction, and salary revealed a significant difference for Caucasians than AA. It is prudent that health-care providers become part of the obesity management solution by examining these variables when planning weight loss interventions.