In the 2010 census, 42.0 million people, approximately 14 percent of the U.S. population, identified themselves as black or African American. African American (AA) experience higher prevalence of many diseases, disability, death, and injury (cdc 1). It is observed that AA females are more likely to suffer from obesity, diabetes and heart diseases more than their White counterparts. Among AA females aged 2–19 years old, 24% are considered obese compared to 14% whites. A similar pattern was reported among women older than 20 years of age showing that 51% of AA women are obese compared to 33% of their counterpart White women. (1) The prevalence of obesity was inversely associated with the family income among Whites of all age groups. This was not the case in AA females, a higher prevalence of obesity was observed within most family income categories. (1) African American women also experience the highest rate of type 2 diabetes, especially those who are overweight or obese. Among AA females 65-74 years of age, it is reported that one in four women has diabetes. Since Diabetes is closely associated with obesity, primary prevention measures should include changes in the adverse behavioral lifestyle such as physical inactivity and poor diet ( Huff text book p 250-251). It is also noted that African American women with diabetes experience greater odds of disability than those without diabetes ( Thorpe 4). In addition, the rates of diseases that may lead to disabilities are more
Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide and its prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate (Barness et al, 2007). For thousands of years obesity was rarely seen, it was not until the 20th century that it became common, some much so that in 1997, the World Health Organization (WHO) formally recognized obesity as a global epidemic (Caballero, 2007).
Obesity and being overweight are very common worldwide issues around the world, especially in the U.S. There are more than 3 million cases per year. By changing your lifestyle such as diet and exercise, losing weight can seem effortless. Desirable junk/fast food or even irresistible fast food commercials can tempt you to do the unthinkable. We are all victims of this advertising war. Quick-service restaurants (QSR) generate these advertisements in hope to attract more consumers or to increase their popularity rates around town. These commercials bombard our state of mind only to convince us to buy unhealthy food for worthless money. The increase in fast food commercials in the U.S. has led to an increase in both QSR revenues and the obesity rates. Regulating commercial frequencies will lead to a decline in the obesity rate. Our country has more than enough issues that frequently affect our population. Despite these alarming cautions, the food industries with their advertiser use every available media outlet to promote and sell their products. Pushing food and drinks high in sugar is unethical and unjust. We learn to
Obesity was significantly more prevalent amongst female African Americans in this community. With the highest rate affecting women between the ages of 45 to 64. Obesity was also higher amongst Black females who’s educational attainment was lower
However, due to the United States’ aging population, along with an increasing prevalence of obesity, diabetes is on the increase. Of the approximately 313 million population count in the United States, 97 million adults are overweight or obese. “Both excess body fat and physical inactivity predispose to type 2 diabetes. Several ethnic groups are particularly susceptible to Type 2 diabetes” (Scott 1134). Hispanics, blacks,
One of the main health issues that leads to many other degenerative diseases in the African American population is obesity. According to the Mayo Clinic obesity is likely to be clinically diagnosed in three stages, beginning with Class I when a person's BMI is greater than 30 (Obesity, 2015). Class II is defined as a BMI of greater than 35, and Class III (extreme obesity) is defined as any BMI above 40 (Obesity, 2015). African Americans are almost 1.5 times more likely to be obese than other Americans - and even more startling - 69% of African American men and 82% of African American women are overweight or obese, making up nearly 75% of the African American population (The State of Obesity, 2014). Of this 75% over 47% are considered obese,
There exists a close relationship between diabetes and obesity. The two conditions have troubled the global sector, leading to numerous deaths and excessive expenditure. This study evaluates the relationship between exercise/diets with obesity and diabetes among Hispanic and African American populations. The two communities face challenges of contracting diabetes and obesity owing to their lifestyle. There is much to compare among the African American and Hispanic people as far as their culture and observance of healthy living are concerned. The study also presents a future projection of the issues that need addressing to mitigate obesity and
We are all guilty, we rather spend five dollars on a McDonalds or Burger King meal, instead of taking a little time the day before and making our self our own meal, but let’s keep on mind that just because is made home doesn’t mean is healthy. According to article “The state of obesity” by better policies of America more than one third of adults (34.9) are obese in the United States. But why is there so much obesity on the United States and who is there to blame? We can go ahead and blame the fast food restaurants or we can blame the people itself. In my opinion the individuals are the ones to blame for the obesity in the United States because they rather have fast and easy food even though it’s not healthy, individuals rather have cheaper meal, and because they don’t exercise enough to burn the calories they consume throughout the day.
Nearly 50,000 African- American women are killed by cardiovascular diseases (CVD)annually.3 Sedentary lifestyle/physical inactivity and overweight/obesity are two significant risk factors for CVD in African-American women.2 Prevention is possible by reversing community acquired behavioral risks, especially in African-American women, such as diet, exercise, and blood pressure control. However, minority women have limited access to health care resources. This disparity is even more evident in Southern African-American women.2 It is reported that 57% of these women lack leisure time activity, and 43% are either overweight or obese.2
Setse, R., Grogan, R., Cooper, L., Strobino, D., Powe, N., & Nicholson, W. (2008). Weight loss
Obesity has always been a topic that many have had due to the increase attention it has received. Across America, there has been a lot of attention on the obesity epidemic. In America and the inner cities, more people are eating meals away from home in addition to consuming larger portions from fast food restaurants. At this rate, gaining weight is the likely outcome. High energy dense food has become convenient and affordable. Fast food is almost everywhere in America and, contributes to the growing obesity epidemic. Access to healthy foods are either expensive or have a limited access to it. For example, soda is everywhere for low costs, but coconut water is expensive or not found easily depending on the demand for it. Our environment
Obesity rates increased with the age of the African American women. According to the paper, “women between the ages 18 and 24 were 22.5% overweight and 37% obese, women between the ages of 25 and 34 were 33% overweight and 41% obese, and women between the ages of 35 and 40 were 25% overweight and 50% obese” (Stages of Change and Weight Loss Among Rural African American Women,2001).
Obesity in America is a constant issue that seems to be on the rise and it is has been rising at an epidemic rate among the people of America. When you think of health you don’t necessarily thing of bellies and thighs rubbing together but why not? Is there a possibility of being a healthy and obese person? Who set the standard for what is too much and for what isn’t? And what makes this so wrong? I have done extensive amounts of research on the topic and I am here to question why should the size of a person be the reason we shake their head at them? And is there really a thing as being a HAPPILY OBESE individual in this world. Studies show so much on the topic and it is an extremely touchy topic. One wrong word is
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.
Obesity is a condition in which the over accumulation of adipose fat tissue causes the weight of a person to increase abnormally. Their weight exceeds by 20%, as a factor of their ideal body weight. According to recent analysis, statistics show that more than one third of the world’s population is targeted by obesity. Research shows that overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight. Obesity occurs greatly amongst adults who are 18 years or older. An estimated 600 million adults were obese out of the 1.9 billion that were overweight, around the world in 2014. One in three adults in Mexico, New Zealand and United States are obese, and one in four adults in Australia, Canada, Chile and Hungary are obese. In contrast, rates of obesity are much lower in Asian countries, where approximately 2-4% of adults have obesity. In countries such as Mexico and the United States, Latino and Africans have the highest rates of obesity amongst all the individuals. However, along with adults, statistics show that the rates for obesity are also high among children within and below the age of 5. As calculated in 2013, the number of children across the world that were either overweight or obese was 42 million. Since then, the rates have increased by 30% more in in low- and middle-income countries than in developed countries. Due to the fact that this condition continues at higher rates across the world, several organizations, such as the World Health Organization, are working with and