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Racial Disparities in Obesity Treatment

  • Obesity Treatment (CM Apovian, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Obesity rates in the USA have reached pandemic levels with one third of the population with obesity in 2015–2016 (39.8% of adults and 18.5% of youth). It is a major public health concern, and it is prudent to understand the factors which contribute. Racial and ethnic disparities are pronounced in both the prevalence and treatment of obesity and must be addressed in the efforts to combat obesity.

Recent Findings

Disparities in prevalence of obesity in racial/ethnic minorities are apparent as early as the preschool years and factors including genetics, diet, physical activity, psychological factors, stress, income, and discrimination, among others, must be taken into consideration. A multidisciplinary team optimizes lifestyle and behavioral interventions, pharmacologic therapy, and access to bariatric surgery to develop the most beneficial and equitable treatment plans.

Summary

The reviewed studies outline disparities that exist and the impact that race/ethnicity have on disease prevalence and treatment response. Higher prevalence and reduced treatment response to lifestyle, behavior, pharmacotherapy, and surgery, are observed in racial and ethnic minorities. Increased research, diagnosis, and access to treatment in the pediatric and adult populations of racial and ethnic minorities are proposed to combat the burgeoning obesity epidemic and to prevent increasing disparity.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Funding

National Institutes of Health NIDDK R01 DK103946-01A1.

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Author notes

  1. Angel S. Byrd and Alexander T. Toth contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Angel S. Byrd

  2. Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Alexander T. Toth

  3. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Fatima Cody Stanford

  4. MGH Weight Center, Gastrointestinal Unit-Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Staniford Street, Suite 430, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Fatima Cody Stanford

  5. Department of Pediatrics-Endocrinology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Fatima Cody Stanford

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  1. Angel S. Byrd
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  3. Fatima Cody Stanford
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Correspondence to Fatima Cody Stanford.

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Angel S. Byrd, Alexander T. Toth, and Fatima Cody Stanford declare they have no conflict of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Obesity Treatment

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Byrd, A.S., Toth, A.T. & Stanford, F.C. Racial Disparities in Obesity Treatment. Curr Obes Rep 7, 130–138 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-018-0301-3

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