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HONOLULU — Many overweight black and Hispanic adults' estimates of their obesity-related health problems are more optimistic than are practice-based statistical findings, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the National Medical Association.
Data from a telephone survey “point to an important opportunity for physicians to communicate to their minority patients the serious health consequences associated with excess weight,” concluded Dr. Valentine J. Burroughs, chief medical officer of North General Hospital, New York, and colleagues.
The researchers reported that “self-reported rates of obesity-related comorbidities among African-American and Hispanic adults,” self-described as overweight, “fall below what would be expected based on clinical data, suggesting a lack of awareness of actual risk.”
The study also found that in spite of greater self-reported prevalence of certain risk factors for poor health, “African Americans have a more optimistic view of their overall health and weight status compared to Hispanics.”
Information for the study was collected from a telephone survey of 537 black and 526 Hispanic adults; 30.1% of black respondents were male, as were 35.4% of Hispanic respondents. The researchers recruited only candidates who described themselves as being either “slightly” or “very overweight.” A higher percentage of Hispanic participants (81.9%) reported themselves as being “slightly overweight,” compared with black participants (76.6%). Survey participants' body mass index was calculated from self-reported height and weight.
The obesity-related comorbidities that were most frequently self-reported by black participants were high blood pressure (33.0%), arthritis (20.4%), and high cholesterol (18.4%); Hispanic participants most frequently reported high cholesterol (17.2%), high blood pressure (15.0%), and difficulty sleeping (12.5%).
Survey participants were also asked to rate their overall health. Only 3% of Hispanics rated their health as poor, as did 5% of blacks. On the other hand, 33% of blacks rated their health as either “very good” or “excellent,” compared with 23% of Hispanics.
The study was funded by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare; all the study authors either consulted for the company or were employed by them.
HONOLULU — Many overweight black and Hispanic adults' estimates of their obesity-related health problems are more optimistic than are practice-based statistical findings, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the National Medical Association.
Data from a telephone survey “point to an important opportunity for physicians to communicate to their minority patients the serious health consequences associated with excess weight,” concluded Dr. Valentine J. Burroughs, chief medical officer of North General Hospital, New York, and colleagues.
The researchers reported that “self-reported rates of obesity-related comorbidities among African-American and Hispanic adults,” self-described as overweight, “fall below what would be expected based on clinical data, suggesting a lack of awareness of actual risk.”
The study also found that in spite of greater self-reported prevalence of certain risk factors for poor health, “African Americans have a more optimistic view of their overall health and weight status compared to Hispanics.”
Information for the study was collected from a telephone survey of 537 black and 526 Hispanic adults; 30.1% of black respondents were male, as were 35.4% of Hispanic respondents. The researchers recruited only candidates who described themselves as being either “slightly” or “very overweight.” A higher percentage of Hispanic participants (81.9%) reported themselves as being “slightly overweight,” compared with black participants (76.6%). Survey participants' body mass index was calculated from self-reported height and weight.
The obesity-related comorbidities that were most frequently self-reported by black participants were high blood pressure (33.0%), arthritis (20.4%), and high cholesterol (18.4%); Hispanic participants most frequently reported high cholesterol (17.2%), high blood pressure (15.0%), and difficulty sleeping (12.5%).
Survey participants were also asked to rate their overall health. Only 3% of Hispanics rated their health as poor, as did 5% of blacks. On the other hand, 33% of blacks rated their health as either “very good” or “excellent,” compared with 23% of Hispanics.
The study was funded by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare; all the study authors either consulted for the company or were employed by them.
HONOLULU — Many overweight black and Hispanic adults' estimates of their obesity-related health problems are more optimistic than are practice-based statistical findings, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the National Medical Association.
Data from a telephone survey “point to an important opportunity for physicians to communicate to their minority patients the serious health consequences associated with excess weight,” concluded Dr. Valentine J. Burroughs, chief medical officer of North General Hospital, New York, and colleagues.
The researchers reported that “self-reported rates of obesity-related comorbidities among African-American and Hispanic adults,” self-described as overweight, “fall below what would be expected based on clinical data, suggesting a lack of awareness of actual risk.”
The study also found that in spite of greater self-reported prevalence of certain risk factors for poor health, “African Americans have a more optimistic view of their overall health and weight status compared to Hispanics.”
Information for the study was collected from a telephone survey of 537 black and 526 Hispanic adults; 30.1% of black respondents were male, as were 35.4% of Hispanic respondents. The researchers recruited only candidates who described themselves as being either “slightly” or “very overweight.” A higher percentage of Hispanic participants (81.9%) reported themselves as being “slightly overweight,” compared with black participants (76.6%). Survey participants' body mass index was calculated from self-reported height and weight.
The obesity-related comorbidities that were most frequently self-reported by black participants were high blood pressure (33.0%), arthritis (20.4%), and high cholesterol (18.4%); Hispanic participants most frequently reported high cholesterol (17.2%), high blood pressure (15.0%), and difficulty sleeping (12.5%).
Survey participants were also asked to rate their overall health. Only 3% of Hispanics rated their health as poor, as did 5% of blacks. On the other hand, 33% of blacks rated their health as either “very good” or “excellent,” compared with 23% of Hispanics.
The study was funded by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare; all the study authors either consulted for the company or were employed by them.