Weight-loss practices, nutrition beliefs, and weight-loss program preferences of urban American Indian women

Objective To describe health beliefs, weight concern, dieting practices, and weight-loss program preferences of American Indian women residing in an urban setting. Design Face-to-face interviews using a semistructured questionnaire were conducted and height and weight were measured. Subjects/setting Subjects were 203 American Indian adult women in an urban community setting. Statistical analysis Frequency distributions and chi (2) analysis were performed using the Statistical Analysis System software. Results About two-thirds of the subjects were overweight. Most women were concerned about obesity and reported attempting to manage their weight. Healthful weight-loss practices (eg, eating more fruits and vegetables, increasing physical activity) were used most frequently. However, unhealthful practices, such as skipping meals/fasting, using laxatives/diuretics, and self-induced vomiting were also mentioned. Regular bingeing was reported by 10% of respondents. Applications Weight-management intervention efforts should focus on helping clients modify their diet and physical activity patterns. Low-cost programs offered in convenient locations would attract more participants, as would the provision of child care. Education about the dangers and ineffectiveness of unhealthful weight-loss practices will be necessary, given the high rates of such behaviors in this population.