Identifying the Complexity of Multiple Risk Factors for Obesity Among Urban Latinas

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity is rising rapidly among Hispanics/Latinas. We evaluated the prevalence of being obese or overweight and associated risk factors among 630 low-income, Latina women from ambulatory care clinics in Upper Manhattan. Overall, 37 % of the sample was overweight and 41 % of the sample was obese, and yet, almost half of women who are overweight considered their weight "just about right." After adjusting for socio-demographic, behavioral, and biological risk factors, being obese was strongly associated with having hypertension [relative risk ratio (RRR) 3.93, 1.75-8.82], pre-hypertension (RRR 2.59, 1.43-4.67), diabetes (RRR 2.50, 1.21-5.14) and moderate/moderately severe/severe depression (RRR 2.09, 1.03-4.26). Women who reported that finding time was a barrier to physical activity were also more likely to be obese (RRR 1.78, 1.04-3.02). Chronic financial stress was associated with lower risk of being overweight (RRR 0.47, 0.28-0.79) or obese (RRR 0.51, 0.31-0.86), as well as eating out at restaurants (RRR 0.75, 0.62-0.89). Opportunities for intervention relate to understanding cultural factors around perceptions of weight and helping women find the time for physical activity.

Keywords: Comorbidity; Diabetes mellitus; Hispanics; Hypertension; Latinas; Obesity; Overweight.