Demographic and Behavioral Factors Linked to Obesity Among Inner-City Latino New Yorkers in the Bronx Community.

Abstract

New York City (NYC) Latinos are disproportionately affected by obesity. However, little information is available on demographic and behavioral factors linked to body mass index (BMI) in this population. A community-based survey was conducted in the inner-city Bronx community of NYC to evaluate these factors among Latino New Yorkers. 738 Latinos completed the survey. 241 (32.7%) participants were obese (BMI>30kg/m(2)) and 302 (41%) individuals were overweight (BMI 25-30kg/m(2)). Adjusted regression analyses show that Latinos who are overweight or obese were found at greater odds of being men, residing in the US for >10years, in early stages 1-3 of change of physical activity behavior, and at lower odds of being young adults aged <35years orwith college education. Analysis of factors associated stages of change (SOC) revealed that subjects in these preliminarySOC related to physical activity were at greater odds of speaking Spanish alone, in the same SOC with respect to diet, and at lower odds of living >10years in the US. With respect to diet, subjects in preliminary stages were at greater odds of being young adults <35years of age or in early SOC of physical activity and at lower odds of low income <20 dollars per year. The survey shows that Latino New-Yorkers in the Bronx with high prevalence of overweight status and obesity have unique demographic, socio-economic, behavioral and cultural factors that can be linked to excessive body weight.