Non-whites likelier to use unregulated diet supps

A new analysis of a landmark 3,500-respondent telephone survey suggests that Hispanics and African Americans are more likely than whites to use unproven dietary supplements for weight loss, according to data presented at the 2007 annual scientific meeting of the North America Association of the Study of Obesity, held in New Orleans. The findings show that Hispanics and African Americans are less likely to use commercial weight loss programs - defined as organized programs where clients attend regular meetings either in person or on-line - and more likely to exercise and use supplements such as herbs or plant extracts, than whites.

"The rates of obesity among African Americans and Hispanic groups in the USA tend to be higher than obesity rates among whites," said Adam Gilden, medical director, Center for Weight and Eating Disorders, at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. "There are a variety of diseases associated with being obese or overweight and it is important that individuals use evidence-based treatments for weight loss," he added.