Socioeconomic Determinants Of Socio Economic Status

Various regions of the world have different responses to the issue of obesity. Some cultures view obesity as necessary and attractive while others are taking drastic measures in an attempt to promote a healthy lifestyle. Although some of these drastic changes seem a bit invasive and controversial, policy makers are debating whether it is effective and even whether or not such a policy should be adopted in the United States. According to the article written by Gallagher, a culture sensitive approach should be implemented in order to tackle the issue of global obesity. A study of children of Mexican descent showed that about 32.6% of Mexican children occupying the U.S. are overweight and about 19.2% are obese (Gallagher 2010). The parents observed in this study were serving their children unhealthy foods, such as those from cans and fast food restaurants, due to price and convenience (Gallagher 2010).

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

A proponderance of statistics derived from scholarly sources corroborates the notion that minorities who have a low socioeconomic position or have an significantly low income suffers many atrocious health disparities this includes obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases thus projecting a direct correlation between the two variables. In addition, minorities, specifically African-Americans that live in low income neighborhoods have less access to fresh, healthy and organic foods. In particular, supermarkets are sparse in their area and sometimes is not within walking distance or within the vicinity of their homes. On the flipside, these neighborhoods have the highest levels of fast-food restaurants and convenient stores. These barriers

Grandparents typically play an important role in their grandchildren’s upbringing. The emphasis on the well-being of the family makes Hispanic and Latin Americans very group-oriented with family gatherings being commonplace.” ("Latino/Hispanic Culture in The U.S. | Interexchange" n.d.) To help prevent and reduce the rates of obesity among Hispanic and Latinos, families to start addressing

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.

As a result of the pervasive power of racism, African Americans and Latino’s consume a high fat and nutritionally low diet, which contributes to their declining health by increasing their a susceptibility to disease. According the American Heart Association (2013), African Americans have a greater chance of contracting heart disease and a 15% higher mortality rate as opposed to their white counterparts, illustrating not only the high prevalence of disease in minorities, but the alarming health disparities plaguing the United States health system. Although, more amicable/civil to blame proximate risk facts of the individual such as their individual diet and exercise habits, it blindly ignores the systemic oppression of residential segregation. Health disparities stem from various factors including a poor nutritional diet; however, all come back to one inescapable conclusion that the oppression of African Americans and Latinos due to residential segregation and institutionalized racism is directly responsible for the influx in chronic disease. The aggregation of minorities into low income communities leading to limited access to fruits and vegetables, paired with the financial burden of healthy eating trap these minorities in a pervasive, toxic cycle, which begs the question: how does residential segregation and institutional racism shape African Americans and Latino’s diet? and What are the consequences of a high fat, nutritionally low diet?

The prevalence of obesity and overweight in all age groups is as a threat to health as well as an economic burden. These individual eating and activity behaviors and choices, however, are shaped by factors in the social and physical environments of communities (Hill, 2003). It has hit the Hispanic community the hardest with Hispanic Americans 1.2 times as likely to be obese than Non-Hispanic Whites, children 1.6 times more likely to be overweight as Non- Hispanic White children and Mexican American women were 40% more likely to be overweight, as compared to Non-Hispanic Whites (OMH 2012). Why Hispanic people? There is no one specific answer but the problems it causes are very bad. Obesity is a major contributor to the onset of type 2 diabetes. Among children and youth, obesity may affect academic performance and emotional health, as well as lead to diabetes and other serious complications later

According to Healthy People 2020 (HP 2020) (2014), nutrition, physical activity, and Obesity are one of the leading indicators ranking high-priority health issues. There are determinants that affect an individual’s to eat healthy, to be physically active, and maintain a healthy weight. The community setting has an essential effect on actions that impact health. For instance, there are communities that access to fresh fruits and vegetables is not available, and places for physical activities may not be available to motivate individuals to exercise or play. As well, gender, race, ethnicity, education level, and socioeconomic position determine the individual’s perception on healthy eating, physical activity, and obesity (HP 2020, 2014). Furthermore,

Why is it Sociological & Social? Obesity has become a large and dark reality in United States. For someone who does not have sociological imagination being overweight is the result of bad personal choices or genetic predisposition. (Crosnoe) Cultural beliefs and practices related to food and feeding vary among ethnic groups, and these differences may contribute to different patterns of obesity in children and youth, related to their ethnicity. As described in the epidemiological overview show higher than average obesity prevalence in non-Hispanic, black and Mexican American children compared to non-Hispanic white children at most ages. In boys excess obesity ages 2 through 11 compared to girls ages 6 through 19. (Kumanyika 61-70)

The behaviors that influence increased obesity in children and adolescents includes consuming foods that are in high calories and beverages, decreased physical activities, and sedentary lifestyles (CDC.gov). During the windshield survey in the Des Plaines community, there were many restaurants and grocery stores that were accessible by car or by public transportation and were located in the main streets. Unfortunately, the most frequented were the fast food stores that were accessible due to the multiple locations in almost every corner of the big street and closer to residential areas, and cheaper in price. Also, another factor that contributes to the increased obesity is the high rate of foreign-born residents including Hispanic population, which according to United States Census Bureau (2016), is 30% compare to 13% in the United States. Some cultures such as Hispanics consume food high in

It is said that obesity can be caused by not knowing how to combat and prevent this common disease before it begins in poverty stricken areas. Additionally the availability of nutritious food choices and the means to have safe active life style are not available to those who suffer from poverty due to financial and educational disadvantages. Obesity is not just a class problem, but financially disadvantaged people that lack access to quality food will inevitably turn to high calorie processed foods that will stretch their food dollar.

healthy food and exercise are often at the bottom for the list, but in fact are

Does low socioeconomic status bear a significant role in the obesity epidemic? A national survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2010) estimated that more than two-thirds of Americans are now overweight or obese (body mass index of over 30), and the percentage is escalating. The Census Bureau (2011) reported 46.2 million people in America are currently living beneath the official poverty line. The official poverty rate in 2010 was 15.1 percent; up from 14.3 percent in 2009; this was the third consecutive annual increase in the poverty rate (Census Bureau, 2011). One might assume that obesity and poverty are not associated, but this is not accurate. The correlation between poverty and obesity can be

Poverty is one of the many factors that affects health and wellness within minority populations and is a major cause of health disparities across the nation (Pettit & Nienhaus, 2010). People living below the poverty level frequently live in racially segregated communities with high levels of poverty and crime (Pettit & Nienhaus, 2010). Within these communities, healthy food options are not always accessible. As a result, fast food establishments and local convenience stores provide much of the grocery and food options for these poor neighborhoods. Diets primarily assembled from fast food and convenience stores tend to be high fat and sodium in nature and contribute to the obesity epidemic affecting many low-income populations’ across the nation

(2016) demonstrated that food hardship and obesity among low-income immigrants could be the effects of having less healthful dietary choices. Risk factors of obesity among adults is having food with low nutrient intake with a poor diet. In selecting healthy foods after migrating, people tend to face challenges such as language, food quality, food familiarization, or food exposure. Low-income housing context may have contributed to the increased risk for obesity. Similarly, Low-income housing setting exposes residents to display an environmental risk factors that influence obesity-related behaviors like poor access to healthy food and safety