Characteristics and distribution of obesity in the Arab-American population of southeastern Michigan

Abstract

Background Arab-Americans constitute ~ 5% of Michigan’s population. Estimates of obesity in Arab-Americans are not up-to-date. We aim to describe the distribution of and factors associated with obesity in an Arab-American population in Southeastern Michigan (SE MI). Methods Retrospective medical record review identified n = 2363 Arab-American patients seeking care at an Arab-American serving clinic in SE MI, located in a city which is home to a large proportion of Arab-Americans in the United States (US). Body mass index (BMI) was the primary outcome of interest. Distribution of BMI was described using percentages, and logistic regression models were constructed to examine the association between obesity, other comorbid conditions and health behaviors. This cohort was compared to Michigan’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from 2018 (n = 9589) and to a cohort seeking care between 2013 and 2019 from a free clinic (FC) located in another city in SE MI (n = 1033). Results Of the 2363 Arab-American patients, those who were older or with HTN, DM or HLD had a higher prevalence of obesity than patients who were younger or without these comorbidities (all p-value < 0.001). Patients with HTN were 3 times as likely to be obese than those without HTN (95% CI: 2.41–3.93; p < 0.001). Similarly, the odds of being obese were 2.5 times higher if the patient was diabetic (95% CI: 1.92–3.16; p < 0.001) and 2.2 times higher if the patient had HLD (95% CI: 1.75–2.83; p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in obesity rates between Arab-Americans (31%) and the BRFSS population (32.6%). Compared to Arab-Americans, patients seen at the FC had a higher obesity rate (52.6%; p < 0.001) as well as significantly higher rates of HTN, DM and HLD (all p < 0.001). Conclusion Overall obesity rates in Arab-Americans were comparable to the population-based BRFSS rates, and lower than the patients seen at the FC. Further studies are required to understand the impact of obesity and the association of comorbidities in Arab-Americans.

Association between Health Literacy and Prevalence of Obesity, Arterial Hypertension, and Diabetes Mellitus

“…The results obtained in the present study clearly point to the urgent need for planning public health activities to help promote a healthy lifestyle, along with a reduction in overweight and obesity. Culturally specific acceptable methods need to be designed to achieve the expected results [ 56 ].…”

Cardiovascular disease in Arab Americans: A literature review of prevalence, risk factors, and directions for future research

“…These results are not representative of US-born ArAs, however, as only those born in foreign countries were included [11] . In another large study with 2363 ArA participants from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), there was no significant difference was found between the ArA and White individuals (31 % and 33 %, respectively) [47] . Similar results were reported in two other studies, including one systematic review [ 24 , 48 ].…”