Family Functioning and Weight Loss in a Sample of African Americans and Whites

Background Traditionally, weight management behavioral research has focused on individual-level influences, with little attention given to interpersonal factors that relate to the family behavioral context. Purpose This research examines the association between baseline family functioning scores and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of behavioral medicine 2010-12, Vol.40 (3), p.294-301
Main Authors: Samuel-Hodge, Carmen D., Gizlice, Ziya, Cai, Jianwen, Brantley, Phillip J., Ard, Jamy D., Svetkey, Laura P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
African Americans
Aged
Behavior modification
Body Mass Index
European Continental Ancestry Group
Families & family life
Family - ethnology
Family - psychology
Family Medicine
Female
General Practice
Health Psychology
Health Surveys
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Middle Aged
Obesity - ethnology
Obesity - psychology
Original Article
Regression analysis
United States
Weight control
Weight Loss - ethnology
White people
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Summary:Background Traditionally, weight management behavioral research has focused on individual-level influences, with little attention given to interpersonal factors that relate to the family behavioral context. Purpose This research examines the association between baseline family functioning scores and weight loss success in a sample of African Americans and Whites enrolled in a 20-week weight loss program with a weight loss goal of ≥4 kg. Methods Baseline surveys measuring six family functioning constructs were completed by 291 participants in a trial of weight loss maintenance. Analysis was limited to 217 participants in households with at least one other family member, and providing final weight measurements. We evaluated associations of family functioning, family composition, and demographic variables with weight loss success defined as losing ≥5% of initial body weight. Baseline predictors of weight loss success were determined using logistic regression analysis. Results Participants were on average 61 years of age with BMI of 34 kg/m 2 ; 57% were female and 75% self-identified as African American. Sixty-two percent lost at least 5% of initial body weight. In bivariate analysis, weight loss success was associated with higher income and education ( p  
ISSN:0883-6612
1532-4796
DOI:10.1007/s12160-010-9219-z