Correlates of overweight and weight-loss practices in Missouri

Objective: To examine potential correlates of overweight and weight-loss pr actices in Missouri. Methods: Two probability surveys (n = 3,010) were used to investigate the a ssociations of sociodemographic and health-related factors with overweight and attempting, exercising, dieting, and desiring to lose weight. Results: Race, gender, and receiving professional advice were strongly asso ciated with being overweight. Gender, receiving professional advice, and le isure-time physical activity were positively associated with attempting and desiring to lose weight. Conclusions: Public health programs can utilize this knowledge to reduce th e prevalence of overweight by encouraging professional advice and promoting regular exercise.