Beyond Body Mass Index: Are Weight-loss Programs the Best Way to Improve the Health of African American Women?

African American women have higher prevalence (82%) of overweight (body mass index [BMI] 25-29) and obesity (BMI ≥30) than white women (63.2%) or Hispanic women (77.2%), and weight-loss programs yield minimal results in this population. We examine the concept of BMI as a measure of health for African American women and suggests a more holistic, multifaceted approach to preventing chronic disease.