Differences in Obesity Among Men of Diverse Racial and Ethnic Background

Sarah E. Hill, Caryn Bell, Janice V. Bowie, Elizabeth Kelley, Debra Furr-Holden, Thomas A. LaVeist, Roland J. Thorpe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Racial/ethnic disparities exist in obesity prevalence among men, with Hispanic men exhibiting the highest prevalence compared with non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black men. Most studies do not parse out Hispanic groups; therefore, it is unclear whether the increases in obesity rates among Hispanic men applies to all groups or if there are particular groups of Hispanic men that are driving the increase. The goal of this study is to examine the variations in obesity among men of diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds and determine if obesity is affected by nativity. The data used in this study were from 11 years (2002-2012) of the National Health Interview Survey. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between race/ethnicity, obesity, and nativity. After adjusting for covariates, there are differences in obesity prevalence, with the largest prevalence among Puerto Rican men and Mexican American men. Consistent with previous literature, it has been suggested that men born in the United States are more likely to be obese than men born outside the United States. This study underscores the importance of distinguishing Hispanic groups when examining obesity, and provides information for future, targeted intervention strategies related to obesity among high-risk groups.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)984-989
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican Journal of Men's Health
Volume11
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2017

Keywords

  • Hispanic subgroups
  • disparities
  • ethnicity
  • men
  • nativity
  • obesity
  • race

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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