Sunday, July 27, 2014
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Obesity and Minority Populations
Childhood Obesity affects all children, but more so minority children. According to the CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2014), there are significant racial and age disparities in obesity prevalence among children and adolescents.
Here is the obesity prevalence for the following groups:
Hispanics 22.4%
non-Hispanic black youth 20.2%
non-Hispanic white youth 14.1%
It should also be noted the prevalence of obesity was lower in non-Hispanic asian youth (8.6%) compared to youth who were non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic (CDC, 2014).
Sekhar (2010) states some of the factors that affect obesity rates in Hispanic and black communities include eating patterns and accessibility to healthy food choices, lower levels of exercise, quality of environment, social or cultural attitudes around body weight, and reduced access to primary care or nutritional counseling. In addition, these factors may be driven by income, culture, and other dynamics that result in a disproportionate rate of obesity among black and Hispanic youth (Sekhar, 2010).
What can we do to reduce these disparities?
I believe by having some kind of wellness plan that is delivered through community centers would be a great first step in combating childhood obesity. These centers would be in minority and low-income areas. Nutritional counseling would be provided along with weight management and recommendations for physical activity.
There is good news ...
Obesity and extreme obesity among U.S. low-income, preschool-aged children went down for the first time in recent years, according to a CDC study (CDC, 2014).
Let's Move
The Let's Move Campaign addresses the obesity epidemic for all children and has made great strides in combating the disease. However, it does not specifically address the racial and ethnic disparities. According to Sekhar (2010), a more highly targeted effort is needed to address the gaping racial and ethnic disparities that exist in the realm.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Childhood obesity facts. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html
Sekhar, S. (2010). The significance of childhood obesity in communities of color. Retrieved from http://www.americanprogress.org/
Here is the obesity prevalence for the following groups:
Hispanics 22.4%
non-Hispanic black youth 20.2%
non-Hispanic white youth 14.1%
It should also be noted the prevalence of obesity was lower in non-Hispanic asian youth (8.6%) compared to youth who were non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic (CDC, 2014).
Sekhar (2010) states some of the factors that affect obesity rates in Hispanic and black communities include eating patterns and accessibility to healthy food choices, lower levels of exercise, quality of environment, social or cultural attitudes around body weight, and reduced access to primary care or nutritional counseling. In addition, these factors may be driven by income, culture, and other dynamics that result in a disproportionate rate of obesity among black and Hispanic youth (Sekhar, 2010).
What can we do to reduce these disparities?
I believe by having some kind of wellness plan that is delivered through community centers would be a great first step in combating childhood obesity. These centers would be in minority and low-income areas. Nutritional counseling would be provided along with weight management and recommendations for physical activity.
There is good news ...
Obesity and extreme obesity among U.S. low-income, preschool-aged children went down for the first time in recent years, according to a CDC study (CDC, 2014).
Let's Move
The Let's Move Campaign addresses the obesity epidemic for all children and has made great strides in combating the disease. However, it does not specifically address the racial and ethnic disparities. According to Sekhar (2010), a more highly targeted effort is needed to address the gaping racial and ethnic disparities that exist in the realm.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Childhood obesity facts. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html
Sekhar, S. (2010). The significance of childhood obesity in communities of color. Retrieved from http://www.americanprogress.org/
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