Home > Medical Research Archives > Issue 149 > A Review of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Obesity Treatment
Published in the Medical Research Archives
Dec 2023 Issue
A Review of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Obesity Treatment
Published on Dec 25, 2023
DOI
Abstract
This paper examines disparities in obesity treatment and their implications for health equity. A comprehensive literature review was performed using Pubmed, Medline, and Google Scholar to identify studies examining obesity treatment options that reported data on African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, and Caucasians. These studies, published from 2000 to 2022, revealed disparities in behavioral/lifestyle, surgical, and pharmacological interventions for obesity. While a majority of behavioral/lifestyle and surgical treatment studies found disparities in weight loss and clinical outcomes, pharmacological studies found minimal to no evidence of disparities or favorable outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities for weight and cardiometabolic outcomes. All treatment pathways showed disparities in referral rates, access, and engagement/retention. These findings underscore the urgent need to incorporate obesity treatment as a central component in strategies addressing health inequities. By understanding and addressing these disparities, healthcare equity can be improved, ensuring a more inclusive approach to obesity management.
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