Obesity In African American Children

Words: 1052
Pages: 5
Open Document
Obesity has become a major public health issue over the past few years. Childhood obesity has become considerably high over the past generations among the general population and children from different racial and ethnic communities have been extremely affected. Children who have a body mass index (BMI) between 85th and 95th percentile on age on the BMI chart and those who may have a BMI equal to or above the 95th percentile are considered obese (Coreil, 2009). The highest rate of overweight and obesity occur in African- American children and adolescents. This health issue effects both genders and various age groups. Over the past two decades, the prevalence of obesity have raised from 10.5% to 18.1% among all adolescents ranging ages of 12 …show more content…
Within the African American culture obesity for the adolescents has rose from 13.4% to 24.4%. Obesity is a major health issue because children who are obese have a higher chance at suffering from serious, lifelong illnesses in compare to children who are healthier. African American children who are obese have a higher chance at chronic illnesses such as asthma, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea and social stigmatization (Ogden et al., 2010). Research have reported that 60% of overweight children have at least one risk factor (National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2000). The key points which will be discussed are the social determinates which contribute to obesity such as public safety, transportation, environment, mass media & technologies, and lack of education (job opportunity). Also being discussed are the public health issues one may encounter with cultural awareness, how inequality contributes to this specific heath outcome, and the relationship between health inequality and life …show more content…
Most people dream of coming to America because they feel there are plenty of opportunities here for their family. By people constantly trying to come to America it’s causing more people to come in at a lower income level which causes bad health outcomes (Wilkinson & Pickett, 2010). Most people who come to America have to learn language and having a language barrier can factor into ones health. By there being a language barrier most people cannot find work which adds on more stress for families. Also people with a language barrier do not have a understanding of American culture in which they do not understand certain risk factors to illnesses. The U.S is number 37 on the health care ranking (WHO, 2015). The reason why the U.S is so low is because there is a huge inequality gap among the rich and the poor. This U.S is known for always helping other countries when in need but when it comes to helping themselves they lack. This relates to why they are so low on the health care system. The U.S was chosen because it’s time to take a step back and help improve the healthcare here first and then go and help others. Obesity is a huge illness within the U.S studies report that it’s the top leading contributor to other chronic illness such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately cardiovascular disease is the number one leading cause of death within the U.S.
Show More

Related Documents: Obesity In African American Children

Essay on Middle childhood Obesity

Middle childhood Obesity Gavin Herbst July 9, 2014 2014Summer.SOCW3500.WT1: 2014 Summer Hum.Beh.&Soc. Env. SEC.WT1 I. Introduction Problem Statement The Health Recourses and Services Administration (HRSA), which is a division of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services; defines childhood obesity as body mass index (BMI) at or above the gender- and age-specific 85th and 95th percentile. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association (JAOA) states that childhood obesity has reached epidemic…

Words 3035 - Pages 13

Health Disparities In America

status are considered to be disparities. Historically, in the United States, racial and ethnic disparities have been the primary point of discussion. The objective of this paper is to shed light on to the various types of disparities that affect Americans, specifically the minority populations (Dehlendorf, 2010). A popular disparity that is constantly found in health care discussions…

Words 1129 - Pages 5

Essay about Obesity Among Minorities

Erick Cueva AP LANGUAGE Mrs. Finco February 2, 2014 Obesity among American minorities I am going to discuss the issue of obesity among American minorities. Elma Dieppa, cousin of Helen Casillas, still wonders if her beloved family member would be alive today if she had been more conscious of her weight contribution to her diabetes. "She refused to take care of herself by not watching what she consumed or finding time during her day to exercise," Dieppa explains, reminiscing her as the “life…

Words 1958 - Pages 8

Essay about Childhood Obesity

Childhood Obesity 1 Influence of Race, Ethnicity and Culture on Childhood Obesity: Implications of Treatment and Prevention. Eng. 122: English Composition II Katie Surber Lenora Bruce 11/19/2012 Childhood Obesity 2 What is the relationship between childhood obesity and race, ethnicity, and culture and how relevant are the strengths and weaknesses of the treatments and preventions that are available for childhood obesity. This issue is very important for…

Words 2764 - Pages 12

Childhood Obesity Research Paper

Child Hood Obesity Unfortunately, the problem of overweight and obesity is not limited to adults. The percentage of obese and overweight children between the ages of 10 and 17 in Tennessee is 36.5 percent (4th highest in the nation).7 Eighteen percent of 9th-12th graders in Tennessee are overweight, and another 17 percent are obese. [1] In Tennessee, disparities in overweight and obesity clearly emerge during childhood. The rates of overweight Hispanic (37.4%) and African-American (43.9%) children…

Words 318 - Pages 2

Parents Food Preference in Childhood Obesity Essay

Parents Food Preference in Childhood Obesity Samantha Chan ENG 122: English Composition II Instructor Holly Wilcox October 10, 2011 Parents Food Preference in Childhood Obesity Childhood obesity is one of the growing health concerns in young children because it can lead to many chronic diseases if being ignored. Obese children are at risk of developing chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, breathing problems, joint problems, liver and digestive problems (Centers for Disease…

Words 2603 - Pages 11

childhood obesity Essay

Childhood obesity is a serious growing epidemic, affecting all people regardless of race ethnicity, family income, or locale. The percentage of overweight children in the United States is growing at an alarming rate. Over the past three decades, childhood obesity in America has tripled and now nearly one in three children is overweight or obese. (1). The numbers are even higher in African American and Hispanic Communities, where nearly forty percent of the children are overweight or obese.(1)…

Words 2445 - Pages 10

Childhood Obesity Essay

children’s sizes and weights. More and more children are coming into doctor’s offices with multiple health issues that all relate back to their weight. For some children weight is not an issue and everyday lives continues on, but for the children that struggle with their weight on a daily basis are at risk for multiple health issues now and in the future. According to an article written by Elizabeth Smith in 1980 an average of seven percent of children in the six to eleven year old category were…

Words 1860 - Pages 8

Obesity in America Essay

5 Assignment- Obesity in America GEN499: General Education Capstone Instructor: Mark Bowles Final Paper: Obesity in America Obesity in America is real and profoundly alarming when you look at the major impact it has on our communities. Major health concerns like diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure cases are at an all time high. Specifically, the disparity between low-income urban inner cities in regards to obesity as compared to…

Words 5136 - Pages 21

Essay on Obesity: Obesity and Internet Source Obesity

October 2013 Obesity Many humans in America have been diagnosed with obesity over the last past decade. The humans that are diagnosed are overweight and have serious health issues. Obesity has become the world’s largest health issue. Most humans who are victims of obesity often are at risk of a non-healthy lifestyle. Obesity also is on the rise in children. Individuals who have problems with obesity struggle to live a normal and healthy lifestyle. Uncontrolled obesity in people of all ages…

Words 2741 - Pages 11