Use of diet and exercise to lose weight in different ethnic, gender, and BMI groups in Hawai'i

The purpose of this study was to determine the difference between the use of diet and exercise as a way to lose weight in different ethnic, gender, and BMI groups. Data were from a cross-sectional random-digit dial telephone survey of 4,594 Hawai'i residents in 2006. A total of 2,133 (46.4%) participants reported to be trying to lose weight, and were then asked if they were dieting or exercising to lose weight. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Pearson Chi-Square test. Women in all BMI groups were more likely to be trying to lose weight than men (p < .05), and 37.9% of women of normal BMI were trying to lose weight. Men were more likely than women to use exercise to lose weight (p < .05). There were no significant differences in trying to lose weight between ethnic groups, however overweight Native Hawaiians (NH) were less likely to report trying to lose weight than all other ethnicities. More NH of normal BMI reported using diet and exercise. Both Chinese and Japanese groups of normal or overweight BMI status were least likely to use diet and exercise. Less than half of obese White, NH, and Japanese reported using diet to lose weight (p < .05). There are cultural and gender differences in the perceived need to lose weight and in the use of diet or exercise to lose weight. Future research should further examine these differences to best target certain ethnic and gender groups for weight loss interventions.