Health Sciences Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Science

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

Department

College of Health Care Sciences – Health Science Department

First Advisor

Elliot Sklar

Date of original Performance / Presentation

January 2022

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1-1-2022

Abstract

Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the use of prescription weight-loss medication and/or nonprescription weight-loss supplementation among adults with overweight and obesity. Design: A correlational analysis of cross-sectional, secondary data was conducted on a sample of 2,338 participants with BMIs between 27 kg/m2 and 40 kg/m2 from the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methodology: A Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to determine if there were associations between BMI and the use of prescription weight-loss drugs and nonprescription supplements for weight loss. Results: A significant, positive correlation was found between BMI and the use of prescription weight-loss medication (rs =.06, p <.05) and the use of supplements for weight loss (rs =.05, p <.05). Only 2.1% (n = 49) reported taking prescription weight-loss medication, while self-reported nonprescription supplement use for weight loss was 3.6 % (n = 85). The combined use of prescription weight-loss medication and nonprescription supplements was low (n = 7), and its relationship with BMI was not statistically significant (rs =.03, p >.05). Conclusion: The results reveal a low rate of prescription weight-loss medication use among those meeting BMI criteria for prescription weight-loss medication. The findings demonstrate that the use of prescription weight-loss medication and the use of non-prescribed weight-loss supplementation were each positively related to BMI. Supplements were used more and are more easily accessible and advertised for weight loss compared to prescription weight-loss medication.

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Keywords

BMI; Medication; Obesity; Overweight; Prescription; Supplements

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