Obesity : The Problem Of Obesity

outcome of obesity in this community, there needs to be a sufficient understand of Hispanic

The Hispanic cultures view on obesity or having a fuller and heavier child differs from an American’s perspective. Like many cultures around the world, hefty version of themselves is a sign of wealth and opulence. This belief is passed down to their children. Hispanic and Latino mothers believe a heavier child is a good idea and it shows healthy development. “Culture can influence the perception of risk associated with obesity. Studies of Latinos have found that many mothers of obese children believe their child to be healthy and are unconcerned about their child's weight, although these same parents are likely to believe that obese children in general should be taken to a nutritionist or physician for help with weight reduction.” (Caprio

The cultural factor is not the only thing responsible for these habits, also because many Latino Americans in a household where both parents work is sometimes easier and cheaper to just get some fatty or junk food instead of buying fruits and vegetables (Heart Association, 2015). We also have to consider the social-economical factor within the Latino American population where resources are less available than other groups in the United States and their limitation and understanding the role of maintaining a healthy lifestyle can benefit their overall health. Latino Americans are less likely to afford the resources and time to exercise, most of Latino Americans cannot afford the high cost of fitness facilities and professional trainers unlike other Americans. It is important also to highlight that the number of Latino Americans are employed in physical labor jobs which make them tired and often they lack the time and energy to engage in fitness programs that can help them minimize their risks of heart

Currently, the definition of obesity, determined by the Body Mass Index (BMI) scale, considers a child over the 95th percentile to be obese. Childhood obesity affects 17% of the children in the United States, and according to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention, 12.7 million American children will have the prevalence of obesity. Roberto Ferdman argues in his article in The Washington Post that “American kids are still far more likely to be overweight than kids in most other countries.” Some children are more likely to become obese based on their race or gender. “The prevalence of obesity among non-Hispanic Asian youth (8.6%) was lower than among non-Hispanic white (14.7%), non-Hispanic black (19.5%), and Hispanic

In the past several decades and according to the State of Obesity “38.9 % of children ages 2-19 are obese in the Latino culture.” The rates of severe obesity are higher amongst these children compared to the White American children.

established the National Latino Childhood Obesity Research Agenda in response to the Latino childhood obesity crisis in the U.S. This group identified the Latino family as the most important factor in preventing childhood obesity among their children, followed by the community, school, and society. The CDC Youth Media Campaign Longitudinal Survey (YMCLS) reported that 61.5% of Latino children aged 9–13 years did not participate in organized physical activity during non-school hours (Torres, Meetze, & Smithwick-Leone, 2013).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported since 1960 adult obesity has tripled and since 1970 childhood obesity rates have also tripled (May, Freedman, Sherry & Blanck, 2013). However, in comparison with national averages, obesity rates amongst minorities remains exceedingly high. Currently, 38 percent of adults in America are obese (Segal, Rayburn & Martin, 2016). Meanwhile, 48.4 percent of Blacks are obese, 42.6 percent of Latinos are Obese and 36.4 percent of Whites are obese. Furthermore, childhood obesity rates for American children is 17 percent. Examination of the data reveals 21.9 percent of Latino children are obese, 19.5 percent of Black children are obese and 14.7 percent of Whites are obese (Segal, Rayburn & Martin, 2016). These gaps are significant and represent a major health disparity. Health disparities are the quantifiable variances in health outcomes amongst groups of people. Obesity

According to Adelle Davis “statistics of illness in the United States are too depressing to examine”. Illnesses that were never even heard of a century ago are striking out population harder than ever. What is worse is these diseases and illnesses have no limits; they strike infants, children and teenagers just as harshly as they do adults and the elderly. The most common disease is obesity and the alarming part is that children are now prone to obesity starting at just three years of age. Based on research done in 2002, obesity rates are rising amongst children younger than ten years old in the United States of America due to low income rates and ethnicity. According to this research, poor income leads to poor meal and entertainment decisions, these two decisions are highly balanced by the culture individuals that then carry on to their children. Our community is largely populated by Hispanics, and Nichman found that “The prevalence of obesity among Hispanic American populations is generally greater than among white populations in the United States”. Not only is our El Paso population highly vulnerable to these diseases because of the culture we carry, but we also house areas of high poverty. Our children are at high risk of this deadly disease, through seemingly harmless characteristics such as culture and economic status.

Over the years obesity has become more and more prevalent in the United States. Currently, approximately 35% of Americans are obese. The Center for Disease Control statistics on obesity are alarming. They have reported the obesity rate to be higher in Non-Hispanic blacks than Hispanics. 47% to 42%, while 32.6% of Non-Hispanic whites are obese. In addition to ethnicity, the CDC looked at obesity among age groups. Obesity was found to be higher among middle-aged adults 40-59, rather than younger adults age 20-39. As far as socio-economic groups were considered, Non-Hispanic black and Mexican American men with higher incomes are more likely to be obese than those with low income. When genders were factored in, the opposite was found. Non-Hispanic

According to the CDC, Hispanic Americans have 23% higher obesity rates than non Hispanic whites. This is a problem because obesity can lead to greater problem like: high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and cancer. This problem is the result of the health disparities the Hispanic American population faces. One in four Hispanic Americans

Obesity is a chronic disease that eventually threatens the life of a child. It has become common today to observe the alarming exponential growth in childhood obesity in the U.S. As an illustration, in California, obesity has become more noticeable in Latino children than in other cultural groups. (Tung & McDonough, 2014). Although maintaining a healthy weight may seem insignificant for some Latino families, it is in effect essential in terms of today’s concern over the health of Latino children. Unfortunately, child obesity is a combination of different elements: junk-food and high- calorie diets, sedentary lifestyle, “super-size” portions, marketing of junk food, and finally, negligence of families and schools. As a matter of fact, Latinos are the largest ethnic group in California. According to the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that in 2014, 38.6% of the total population in California are Latinos, and the largest minority group in the U.S. (Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, 2014). In addition, Statistics reveal that 40% of Latino children in California are overweight (Falbe, Cadiz, Tantoco, Thomson, & Madsen. 2015). The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) results suggest that Hispanic children and youth were the ethnic group at the highest risk of being overweight in California (Weiss, Yepa, Mouttapa, McMahan, & Gedissman, 2015). For that reason, it is vital to address the serious public health

The increase between Latino’s and Whites in obese or overweight adults is a difference of 9.8%, while the difference between obese or overweight children aged two to nineteen is 10.4%. Knowing these statistics we can help the immigrates with their health in keeping their bodies moving though many types of physical activity weather in gym class, after school programs, or lower cost extra circular actives. Even though many of them immigrants have an active job they are still over weight and needs that extra help in learning how to

There are many behavior and environmental factors that link to obesity within youth. Our plan is to focus on sedentary lifestyles and poor nutrition due to zoning laws within their zip code. An article from Obesity: A Research Journal states “If obese parents of at-risk children reduce access to low-nutrient dense foods available in the shared family

Obesity basically means having too much body fat. Not being overweight for your height, having too much muscle, or water in your body. What exactly is obesity? “Obesity is a condition that is associated with having an excess of body fat, defined by genetic and environmental factors that are difficult to control when dieting. Obesity is classified as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater. BMI is a tool used to measure obesity. Obesity increases your risk of developing related conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea, to name a few. Many individuals are affected by obesity and are not aware of it” (O.A.C, 2016). Causes of obesity vary from person to person, but most are from the same reasons. Taking in more calories than your body can burn leads to obesity because your body stores the unused calories as fat. Typical causes are eating too much food than your body can use, drinking too much alcohol, and not getting enough exercise. Many obese people who lose large amounts of weight and gain it back think it is their fault. They blame themselves for not having the willpower to keep the weight off. Many people regain more weight than they lost. Today, we know that biology is a big reason why some people cannot keep the weight off. Some people who live in the same place and eat the same foods become obese, while others do not. Our bodies have a complex system to help keep our

The everyday routines of life can and will be more difficult if encumbered with obesity.