Racial-Ethnic Disparities in Obesity and Biological, Behavioral, and Sociocultural Influences in the United States: A Systematic Review. Issue 4 (11th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Min, Jungwon; Goodale, Hailee; Xue, Hong; Brey, Rebecca; Wang, Youfa
• Is Part Of: Advances in nutrition. Volume 12:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 1137
• Page End: 1148
• Publication Date: 2021-01-11
• Subjects: race -- ethnicity -- disparities -- obesity -- the United States; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Diet therapy -- Periodicals; Nutrition; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutritional Sciences; Periodicals; 613.205
• DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmaa162
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2161-8313

Abstract

ABSTRACT: For a comprehensive understanding of high-level obesity in the USA, we studied the trends of obesity prevalence since 2007, and related biological, behavioral, and sociocultural factors in obesity racial/ethnic disparities. We searched PubMed, Embase, and national data archives for the studies using national survey data and published in English from January 1, 2007 to September 11, 2020. Forty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria and were systematically reviewed. After a short leveling-off during 2009–2012, the US national prevalence of obesity has steadily increased. Although women had higher racial/ethnic disparities in obesity and severe obesity than men, it decreased due to the significant drop in non-Hispanic black (NHB) women in the last 10 y. However, obesity and severe obesity prevalence increased in Mexican-American (MA) men, MA boys, and MA girls and became similar to or surpassing NHB groups. Substantial racial/ethnic disparities remained in the past decade. Even at the same level of BMI, MAs and non-Hispanic Asians had a higher percent of body fat and metabolic syndrome than other ethnic/racial groups. NHB's cultural preference for a large body significantly associated weight misperception and lower weight control practices. In addition to socioeconomic status, health behaviors, neighborhood environments, and early childhood health factors explained substantial racial/ethnic differences in obesity. Differences in biological, behavioral, and sociocultural characteristics should be considered in future public health intervention efforts to combat obesity in the USA.