Authors: Sharmin Moten, Valentine Burroughs, Niva Lubin-Johnson, Isha Williams, Karen K. Gerlach Joyce, John Addrizzo, Theodore K. Kyle

Meeting: National Medical Association Scientific Assembly

Date: July 26-31, 2008

Atlanta, GA

African-Americans suffer disproportionately from overweight, obesity, and the health impacts of these conditions, yet they are less likely than Caucasian-Americans to report trying to lose weight.  In June 2007, 60 mg orlistat, the first FDA-approved over-the-counter weight loss medication, became available in the U.S. accompanied by an online behavioral support program (myalliplan.com).  As of October 31, 2007, 236,972 people had registered for myalliplan.com; 18,207 (7.7%) were African-American.  The average body mass index (BMI; weight in kilograms/height in meters²) of African-American registrants was 35.3; average age was 38.2 years.  The majority was female (95.1%), and 58.4% of African-Americans registered were from the South.  A sample of online registrants was further surveyed to assess satisfaction with the plan and reasons for losing weight.  Among the African-Americans surveyed, 47% wanted to lose weight to improve their health.  Nearly three-fourths had been using the program for at least one week, with 29% using it for three weeks or longer.  More than half rated the informational sessions, online tools (e.g., meal planning guides), and check-in feedback as extremely or very helpful, and 72% described the medication and myalliplan.com as "better than" or "the best" compared to other diets they had used.  Nearly 20% reported that they lost at least 11 pounds since starting to use the medication and the plan.  These early findings suggest that this combination of a weight loss medication and support program is being used by African-Americans and that they view them as helpful in their weight loss efforts.