Self-reported weight loss practices among African American and Hispanic adults in the United States

To describe weight loss methods used and interactions with health care professionals on the issue of weight among African Americans and Hispanics.

Five hundred thirty-seven African American and 526 Hispanic adults who self-described as being overweight participated in a telephone interview.

Exercise and healthy eating were the 2 most commonly used weight loss methods among both groups; prescription medications were the least-utilized weight loss aid. Forty-one percent of African Americans and 35% of Hispanics reported having been advised to lose weight by a health care professional.

Do-it-yourself approaches to weight loss predominate among African Americans and Hispanics; formal assistance is rarely used. Physician advice on weight loss is suboptimal.