Factors Related to Weight Loss Attempt Among Dominican Immigrants

To assess weight loss attempt among a Latino immigrant population from the Dominican Republic we analyzed data on 585 overweight and obese Dominicans from a cross-sectional survey using Chi-square statistics, Student’s t-tests, and logistic regression models. We found 58 % of the overweight and obese tried to lose weight. Female gender (OR 2.28, CI 1.53–3.39), overweight perception (OR 2.37, CI 1.57–3.60) and weight loss advice from health professionals (OR 1.90, CI 1.24–2.91) were strongly associated with weight loss attempt. Individuals with diabetes were more likely to receive advice to lose weight (OR 2.58, CI 1.18–5.63; yet, they were more satisfied with their weight (40.5 vs. 27.8 %, p < 0.021), and no difference in their weight loss attempt (p = 0.849) was detected compared to individuals without diabetes. We conclude a significant proportion of overweight and obese Dominican immigrants do not attempt to lose weight. Overweight perception and, except among individuals with diabetes, weight loss advice were strong inducements to weight loss attempt.