Racial Differences In Preferred Treatment Method for Obesity and Desired Weight Loss
The obesity epidemic continues to threaten the health of people across the United States, with a prevalence rate of 42.4% in 2017-2018. Obesity is associated with increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease, among many other diseases.
Today there exist two main recommended forms of treatment for obesity – lifestyle modification and bariatric surgery. However, previous research suggests that there may exist racial disparities in obesity treatment preference and desired weight loss.
Although bariatric surgery has become increasingly accessible to patients with obesity, we do not know whether different racial groups are equally likely to seek this treatment. Furthermore, differences in desired weight loss may contribute to treatment seeking behavior, and desired weight loss may differ by racial group.
This study ultimately serves to compare the proportion of white and black individuals with class II or class III obesity who sought bariatric surgery versus behavioral treatment and pharmacotherapy. Desired weight loss was also compared by racial group. In order to account for any differences in body weight, body mass index (BMI) or BMI group was included in all analyses.
Comments
Race and seeking Bariatric Surgery.
Thank you for your riveting presentation. I am curious as to what the reasons are behind why black patients are less likely to seek bariatric surgery when compared with their white counterparts.
question about methods
First of all, great presentation- really informative.
I am curious about the methods. You mentioned that life styles changes and bariatric surgery were the two treatments recommended to patients. Did you look at what race the doctor was that recommended the options to the black and white patients. I ask because research has shown that black men seen by black physicians were more likely to engage with them. I wonder if that has any implications in your project. If a the patient is seen by a doctor of their own race, would they be more likely to choose surgery than lifestyle changes. Would your finding that black patients are less likely to seek BS, still hold true?
Just curious, really enjoyed the poster
Thanks!