








































Special Edition: Junior Clinical Research (2023), Vol. 3 No. S2 
 https://doi.org/10.47488/dhrp.v3iS2.76 

 

 
 

 
DHR Proceedings ǀ http://dhrproceedings.org 1 2023, Vol. 2 No. S2 1-6 

 

COMMENTARY 

Epidemiology and Other Factors Affecting 

Weight Loss in Hispanics 
 

Ivan Espinoza1,2, Anahi De Leon1,2, Daryl Trejo1,2, Lluvia Villa1,2, Luis Salazar1,3, Alondra 

Martinez1,3, San Juanita Gonzalez1,3, Melanie Cruz1,3, Orfelinda Lopez1,3, Angelica Gonzalez1,3, 

Xiomara Rodriguez1,4, Anahi Ybarra1,4 

 
1 3rdAnnual Junior Clinical Research Internship, South Texas Academy for Education & Training in Research, DHR Health  

   Institute for Research and Development 
2 Robert Vela High School, TX 
3 Donna North High School, TX 
4 Lasara High School, TX 

 

Received: June 16, 2023 

Accepted for publication: October 25, 2023  

Published: November 16, 2023

Introduction 

Obesity in the Hispanic population in the 

United States (US) is disproportionately higher when 

compared to that of other ethnicities (Figure 1). At a 

rate of almost 50%, Hispanics have higher rates of 

obesity than any other race or ethnicity in the US.1  

Factors contributing to obesity vary from genetics to 

the type of the food individuals consume.  When 

looking at potential solutions and treatments for 

patients, the fundamental basis in obesity can include 

lifestyle changes. If this fails, medicine or surgery is 

most optimal for weight loss/recovery. 

 
Figure 1. Prevalence of obesity among adults aged 20 

and over, by sex and age: United Sates, 2015-2016 

Reference: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db288.pdf 

Factors Contributing to Weight Gain 

Genetic Background and Eating Habits 

Hispanics/Latinos have a higher risk of 

obesity compared to other Americans that may be 

related to their genetic background. With obesity on 

the rise worldwide, there is an urgent need to identify 

the factors that lead to weight gain and weight 

management. The United States, like other countries, 

has seen an increase in population sizes and 

Hispanic/Latinos racial diversity in recent decades. 

Hispanic/Latino adults and children/adolescents in the 

United States bear a greater burden of obesity than 

non-Hispanic whites.2 Some studies have suggested 

that genetic factors may play a role in the higher rates 

of obesity observed in the Hispanic/Latino population. 

For example, a study published in the journal PLOS 

genetics found that a specific genetic variant was 

associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) in 

Hispanic/Latino individuals.3 Another study published 

in the International Journal of Obesity found that 

genetic variations in fat mass and obesity associated 

(FTO) gene were more strongly associated with 

obesity in Hispanic/Latino populations than in non-

Hispanic white populations.4 However, it is important 

to note that genetic factors are just one piece of the 

puzzle when it comes to understanding obesity, and 

that lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity 

also play a significant role.  



Special Edition: Junior Clinical Research (2023), Vol. 3 No. S2 
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Eating habits and behaviors have been 

implicated in the clustering of obesity among socially 

connected people. For example, a study at the 

University of California San Diego and Connecticut 

incorporated adult Latinas participating in a lifestyle 

intervention that completed an egocentric network 

measure of weight and weight control behaviors.5 This 

study determined how participants and their social ties 

are related and associated with weight change in 

participants. Participants who reported more social ties 

and lost weight, were most likely to eat small portions 

and low-fat foods. Participants who reported more 

social ties who exercised, drank liquid meal 

replacements, took herbal supplements, and self-

weighted were more likely to lose weight. Therefore, 

given that weight and weight control behavior of 

Latinas reflects that of their social ties, targeting 

existing social networks for lifestyle interventions 

may more effectively improve and sustain health- 

promoting behaviors and outcomes.6 Many factors can 

contribute to excess weight gain including eating 

patterns, physical activity levels, and sleep routines. 

Eating patterns emphasize a variety of vegetables and 

fruit, whole grains, a variety of lean foods, and low-fat 

and fat-free daily products. Physical activity 

recommends that children aged three through five 

years should be physically active throughout the day. 

Children aged 6-17 years need at least 60 minutes of 

moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. 

Adults need 150 minutes of moderate intensity 

physical activity a week.7 

Mental Health and Activity Levels 

There are factors that affect physical activity 

within the Hispanic population. As we all know, 

physical activity is crucial for maintaining good health 

and preventing chronic diseases. However, there are 

several barriers that prevent Hispanics from engaging 

in regular physical activity. Many Hispanics come 

from cultures where physical activity is not 

emphasized, and instead, they prioritize family and 

work. The diet of the Hispanic culture is influenced by 

the parents of young adolescents.9,10 Most of the foods 

Hispanics consume contain large amounts of salt and 

sugar which can lead to atherosclerosis, plaque build-

up in the heart, and glucose can turn into fat if not used 

during exercise. Another factor that affects physical 

activity within the Hispanic population is access to 

resources. The exclusion of Hispanics pertains to the 

Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant 

Responsibility Act of 1996 Many Hispanics live in 

low-income neighborhoods where there are limited 

resources for physical activity, such as parks, gyms, or 

safe walking paths.8 This lack of access can make it 

challenging for them to engage in regular physical 

activity. In the Hispanic adolescent population, 54.8% 

of girls tried to lose weight within the years of 2013 

through 2016.7 Boys of Hispanic descent had a 8.2% 

difference from young women. Overall, it is essential 

to understand the factors that affect physical activity 

within the Hispanic population to create effective 

interventions that promote physical activity and 

improve health outcomes. 

The most prevalent health condition affecting 

the Hispanic community is depression. Emotional 

behaviors contribute to many people becoming 

depressed and because of this, it leads to the loss of 

appetite. Ongoing stigma plays a huge role as to why 

many individuals do not seek the medical attention 

needed when they are stressed and overwhelmed 

which can also lead to weight loss. According to 

Washburn, et.al., the Hispanic population is severely 

affected by depression, a widespread psychiatric 

condition.11 Many Hispanics also have other medical 

conditions leading to the consumption of certain 

medications, which can lead to depression, and 

contribute to weight loss. The following two phrases 

include information, according to Sadule-Rios, 

numerous Hispanics with depression who do not 

educate themselves or ask for medical advice 

sometimes may turn to illegal drugs which can also 

lead to the loss of appetite and weight loss.12 Sadule-

Rios also states that understanding depression and its 

causes can result in better evaluation procedures, early 

detection, and interventions, care, and services that are 

sensitive to cultural differences.12 

Complications or comorbid conditions 
 

Obesity 

 
Obesity has a major impact in the Hispanic/ 

Latino population. It starts by summing up the food 

they consume. Obesity often builds up a disease in the 

body, which can result in a myocardial infarction, 

strokes or possible death. According to Borlaugh, et 

al., obesity from the 1970’s into the 1980’s has 

increased from 15% to 40%. According to the study it 

has been estimated that 1 in 2 adults will be obese in 

the USA by 2023.14 Although cardiovascular disease 

(CVD) is not often linked to the possibility of obesity, 

many other references besides this one have suggested 

that it is a major possibility. As one may know the 

human heart pumps blood at a certain rate, in this 



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research it has been suggested that the increased need 

for energy due to obesity can be a great relation to why 

they are at such risk for cardiovascular disease. In the 

estimate, 40% to 50% of patients have diabetes and 

15% to 25% are pre-diabetic.14 

 
Diabetes 

 
Ethnic minority women tend to have a higher 

risk of exposure to diabetes, obesity and other 

illnesses. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas makes less 

insulin than normal, and your body becomes resistant 

to insulin. Something really common in type 2 

diabetes is the way it affects Hispanic women and 

minorities as a whole, and it’s involvement with 

obesity. Diabetes tends to affect minority groups 

because of their health care, cultural behaviors and 

other determinants of health. Research has shown that 

obesity plays a big role in the development of type 2 

diabetes, being tied into about 98% of the cases.13 We 

as a whole have also been provided with research that 

proves 88% of adults with type 2 diabetes are 

considered obese.13 

 
Weight-Loss Methods 
 

Lifestyle modifications 

 
Exercise plays a crucial role in combating 

obesity among Hispanics. Regular physical activity 

offers numerous benefits that can contribute to weight 

management and overall health for Hispanics. There 

are many reasons for obesity in the Latino community 

and this may be due to the lack of knowledge about 

physical activity or access to other resources such as a 

workout program.15 Hispanics should approach this by 

accompanying an exercise prescription describing 

frequency, intensity, type, and time with a minimum 

of 150 minutes moderate weekly activity.16 Along with 

that, a high-quality diet should coexist to make the 

benefits substantial. Research recommendations in 

recent US & UK guidelines typically advise increasing 

aerobic physical exercise, such as swift walking to 

reach a goal of 150 minutes per week or more. 

Additionally, this is equal to 30 minutes a day, for at 

least 5 days each week. Doing so benefits Hispanic 

individuals for general health that are independent of 

weight loss. Some evidence concludes that a greater 

amount of physical activity following 30 to 45 minutes 

per day is required to prevent obesity and for long-

term weight maintenance for those who have lost 

weight, 60 to 90 minutes per day is essential.16 

Progressively, the next step is to get the right 

nutritional education and carefully monitor what is 

being consumed.15 There are several methods for 

dieting to lose weight. One method is by reducing 

calorie intake by 500 below regular requirements or by 

using a dietary plan which consists of 1200 to 1500 

kcal/d for women or 1500 to 1800 kcal/d for men to 

accomplish this goal. The second method should be to 

burn more calories than the body consumes in a week 

or day. Certain foods that are recommended for diets 

are: whole grains, vegetables, fruits, fish, nuts, and 

low-fat dairy products.17 Correspondingly, there is an 

aiding factor that helps with the process and it is to 

include physical activity while dieting as it is an 

essential component to comprehensive lifestyle 

intervention for obesity management.15 

 

 
Reference: 

https://www.rwjbh.org/blog/2021/march/addressin

g-diet-and-weight-issues-in-the-latino-/ 

 
Medicinal Therapies 

 

According to Lu, et al. the Semaglutide 

(Ozempic) is an effective FDA-approved drug for 

chronic weight management in adults with obesity or 

over-weight.18 However, there are concerns about its 

cost, access, and affordability, particularly in 

underserved and underrepresented communities, such 

as the Hispanic community.18 In this study, researchers 

found that 57.1% of Semaglutide-eligible adults who 

had attempted to lose weight in the past 12 months 

were Hispanics.18 Cohen, and Gadde, researched other 

drugs that can help with weight loss therapy that have 

been approved in the United States are known as 

orlistat, lorcaserin, liraglutide, phentermine or 

topiramate, and naltrexone/bupropion.19 In addition, 

they stated that although considered a weight loss 

medication, Naltrexone/Bupropion results in an 

increase in in-office and ambulatory blood pressure 

compared to placebo.19 The most common 

medications used for weight loss are Naltrexone and 

Liraglutide although side effects are possible. The 

common side effects for Naltrexone include nausea, 

constipation or diarrhea, insomnia and dry mouth. As 

for Liraglutide, side effects include nausea, vomiting, 

diarrhea, constipation, headache, dizziness and low 



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blood sugar in patients with diabetes. On the other 

hand, it is a good option to help in weight loss more in 

general with patients dealing with hypertension and 

obesity. The result of these medications are an 

intended result, safe, and effective. 

 
Bariatric Surgery 
 

Bariatric surgery is a type of emaciating 

surgery that is used to rehabilitate obesity. According 

to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 

nearly 34% of the U.S. adult population is considered 

obese with a BMI of  ≥ 30, while 6% of Americans are 

considered extremely obese with a BMI > 40.20 In 

Hispanic and black populations, the obesity rates are 

even higher than other ethnicities with 50% of blacks 

being obese while Hispanics were closely behind with 

39%.20  

In order to combat obesity in the U.S. and 

amongst Hispanics, many clinicians have 

recommended bariatric surgery as an alternative to 

common weight loss therapies. Benaiges et al. (2015) 

states that bariatric surgery works by reducing the size 

of the stomach, which restrains the portion of food that 

can be consumed.21 Additionally, the Mayo Clinic 

indicates that bariatric surgery is effective in 

maintaining long-term weight loss.21 Bariatric surgery 

requires lifestyle changes and new acquired habits, 

which can lead to improved quality of life. The Mayo 

Clinic also indicates that aside from weight loss, 

improvements in blood pressure, heart disease, sleep 

apnea, diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease 

(NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), 

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and joint 

pain, can be observed.22 A study conducted by Smith 

et. al., indicates disparities amongst Latinos including, 

limited access to insurance coverage, low referral rates 

by primary doctor, cultural attitude towards obesity 

and distrust within the healthcare system reduces the 

access to bariatric surgery in these communities.23 

Conversely, Edinburg Consolidated Independent 

School District, a local school district of the Rio 

Grande Valley with a predominantly Hispanic 

population, has tackled this issue head on with its 

coverage of bariatric surgery included in its health 

plan.24 Thanks to this surgery, many Hispanics are 

seeing and feeling rapid changes in their health and 

quality of life.  

 

The Kaiser Permanente electronic health 

records states that after three years, Hispanic patients 

who got gastric bypass surgery lost 59% of their total 

weight.20 This means that patients who lost 59 percent 

of their excess weight lost an average of 81.5 pounds. 

Bariatric surgeries can provide long-term weight loss. 

The amount of weight you lose depends on your type 

of surgery and your changes in lifestyle habits. It may 

be possible to lose half, or even more, of your excess 

weight within two years. 

 

Conclusion 
 

Although treatment plans can be beneficial for some, 

it is important to remember that genetic 

predispositions to obesity and diabetes play an 

important role in the development of these diseases. 

Not all lifestyle modifications will work for everyone 

who is diagnosed with obesity, but there are openings 

for treatments such as medicinal therapies and surgery. 

Listening to the patient and their feedback on why or 

how they are in their current position is necessary to 

individual’s treatment.  Blaming/shaming a patient 

will cause disdain for the health care community, 

which is not helpful. 

Acknowledgements 

Monica Betancourt-Garcia, MD, Program Director; 

Melissa Eddy, MS, Program Manager  

Funding 

Funded by DHR Health Institute for Research & 

Development; DHR Health; Region One ESC 

GEARUP College Ready, Career Set!; Region One 

ESC GEARUP College Now, Career Connected; 

Region One ESC PATHS; Region One ESC Upward 

Bound Math & Science; Benavides ISD; and Jubilee 

Academy-Brownsville  

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