Obesity in Black American Women Essay

Culture, Biology and Lifestyle drive Forty Nine Percent of Black Ameri tolerate Women to be pear-shaped Abstract. fleshiness is a major factor in health to twenty- four hours. reliable social roots and genders suffer from obesity more than others. Around 49% of entirely Black American women ar classified obese today. at that place atomic number 18 numerous reasons for this. just the three the Black American women atomic number 18 unprotected to ar refining, lifestyle and biological science. Forty nine per centum of Black American women are obese. This is an over representation compared to 38% of Latina women and 33% of non-Hispanic lily-white women. (Phelan, Johnson, Wesley). some factors determine a mortals tilt and health status. Economics, lifestyle, diet, culture, biological science and society all affect a persons personify size and composition. Culture, biology and lifestyle realize the largest impact on wherefore Black American women are obese. heal th, economic and societal implications of obesity are overwhelming and affect e genuinely person in this country. The medical lodge defines obesity as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or gr tireer. BMI is simply a comparison of slant to height. The actual jurisprudence is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.A BMI of greater than 25 but less than 30 is considered overweight and a BMI of greater than 40 is considered morbidly obese. BMI is a comparison of weight to height, non fat to height. BMI is a useful tool for most of the population, but does not work well for heavily muscled people, such as corpse builders. expand is damaging to health. Muscle is not. The general population knows that obesity causes diabetes and heart problems. But obesity is much more severe than that. corpulency causes health problems that many find eye opening. obesity causes hardening of the arteries, increase cholesterol and cardiac failure.In addition to damaging the heart a nd arteries obesity causes cancer. Twenty percent of all cancer related deaths in women are attributed to obesity (Dixon). liter percent of all Type II diabetes patients are obese. (Dixon). Obesity is associated with increased chance of metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease (Kogiso, Moriyoshi and Nagahara). Obesity causes many more not so well known, but still rattling concerning health issues. Thirty one percent of all arthritis patients are obese. (Dixon). threescore three percent of women who suffer from osteoarthritis are obese (Dixon). weighty women show a 37% increased risk of depression (Stunkard). Obesity can cause infertility and pregnancy complications (Phelan, Edelman). It even can suppress the heart and souliveness of birth control. Obese people are three generation more apt to suffer from sleep apnea (Visscher, Seidell). And for the real shocker, 300,000 deaths per year in the get together States alone are attributed to obesity Obesity is only minute of a rc to smoking in preventable deaths per year in the US. (Visscher, Seidell). The reasons nearly half of all Black women in the US are obese are complex and many.We can point our finger at economics, lifestyle, society, biology, diet, culture. Culture, lifestyle and biology are the primary reasons 49% of Black women in the US are obese. Studies dupe shown that culture can rush a pro anchor effect on remains size. Several studies deplete comprise that the Black American population has a taste for big consistency size (Johnson). Portia Johnson, in her article, Scholarly Perspectives on Obesity in Black American Women, references a 2002 study that shows that African American men prefer African American women with a big body size.The same actor in addition cites a 2006 study that shows that African American women describe a model of health that speaks to the Black womens cultural belief that a larger body size is ideal (Johnson). African women also have a preference for large r bodies. A 2006 study on ethnic Zulus, Zulu migrants to Lon go into, and Anglo Londoners show a preference for larger body size by the Zulu migrants and the ethnic Zulus (Brewis 88). for each one social functionicipant in were shown gray scale movies of women of known BMI. The participants were asked to choose which image represented the most healthy and attr active body.The Anglo Londoners chose a BMI size of 20, the ethnic Zulus chose BMI 26 and the migrant Zulus chose a BMI of 24. Dr. James Kirby and colleagues made the inte stay oning discovery that simply upkeep in a community with 25% or more non-Hispanic faints increases ones propensity of being overweight (Kirby et al). Similarly Dr. Kirby discovered that living in a community of 25% or more Asians decreases a persons propensity of being overweight (Kirby et al). Kirby surmises this is due to the approachability of healthy nutrient, parks, sidewalks and recreation facilities in each community.Kirby put together that a predomilanded estate of black Americans live in communities with less recreational facilities, gyms, parks and fewer choices of healthy food than other ethnicities. The same study also comprise more fast food restaurants and convenience food stores in predominately black and Hispanic American communities. Perhaps the most convincing evidence is in the words of African American women. In her article Voices from the inwardly African American Womens Perspectives on Healthy Lifestyles Jill Rowe interviewed African American women on healthy lifestyles and food choices.One woman explains eating in African American culture as Its almost like each person in my family has something they cook real good and I dont want to hurt anybodys feelings. When you go to your mamas house, Ive always gone to the refrigerator. Thats how African Americans show their love. From the natal day parties, to when you have company. My family, when were happy we eat. When were sad, we eat. We eat when were married, we eat when were born, we eat when we die. Its always, whos bringing the fried sniveller and pound cake. (Rowe) Culture can significantly affect a persons weight.But we should also be aware that biology can affect weight too. Researchers have gear up that Black American women have a lower Resting metabolic Rate (RMR). RMR is the rate at which pushing (calories) are metabolized to keep organs functioning at rest. Black American women have a lower RMR than white or Hispanic women. This convey they burn fewer calories throughout the day and function more expeditiously than white Americans making it harder to lose weight (Johnson). A 1996 study found that the Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) of black American women was lower than for Caucasian American women.The researchers measured the REE of each participant and found that the Black women had a REE of 1790 calories per day at rest, while the Caucasian women had an REE of 1949 calories per day at rest. Simply assign this means that Caucasian women burn, on average, 250 more calories per day at rest than Black American women do. This makes it harder for black women to lose weight (Johnson). Researchers have also discovered that Black Americans have an over expression of fatty harsh transport protein. This means that more fat is delivered to fat storage cells making it easier for Black Americans to store fat than white Americans (Barakat).Researchers have measured and found more upper body fat in Black Women compared to white women. A larger below the skin take (subcutaneous) fat level was found in Black Women as compared to white American women (Conway). forage and exercise are part of a persons lifestyle and both have a significant impact on weight and health. Several studies have proven that Black Americans eat more sweet-smelling foods as compared to European Americans. Portia Johnson and colleagues cite a 2000 study on preference for sweet food amongst African Americans and European American s.The study offered taste tests to each ethnic group and compared how each group responded to sweets. The researchers discovered that Black Americans ate more of the sweetened foods offered at various intervals during a taste test (Johnson). They conclude that African Americans could be using a sweetened food to compensate for greater perceived stress causing greater weight gain and obesity. Angelia paschal and colleagues examined the results of a study on self-reported diet and exercise habits of African American men and women.They found that 55-75% of the women in their study rarely exercise. They also found that 76% of all participants did not eat the minimum daily requirements for crop and less than half met the minimum requirements for vegetables. Not surprisingly this study reports that 62% of participants were diagnosed with hypertension and 14% were diagnosed with elevated blood sugar levels and/or diabetes (Paschal et al). A study that compared fitness of Latina American w omen to Black American women found analogous results. More than one-half of the women reported engaging in no veritable(a) physical activity.However, the substantial variability in the number of minutes exercised per week points to the need to investigate methods to enhance the duration of physical activity. (Sanchez-Johnsen et al). coevals, a church building based health and fitness political platform aimed at Black Americans, found that many of the participants did not correlate obesity with poor health. The participants in Genesis completed a self-reported survey where only 16% indicated they were obese, but when clinically measured 87% were found to be overweight or obese.This indicates that participants failed to tie in excess weight with medical risk, possibly due to cultural conditioning, ad hominem denial or not associating body weight with health risk (Cowart et al). It is not all gloom and doom for women of color in the US. Culture, biology and lifestyle are all th ings that can be changed or at least worked with to lose weight and gain fitness. There are several(prenominal) programs in this country aimed at overall fitness for Black American women. The Genesis program has worked with black Americans through churches and found this combination very successful.Genesis provided health and diet education, exercise prescriptions and a motivation partner. just intimately of their successes include a 71% less soda consumption, fried nerve consumption was reduced from 91% to 55%. The percent of respondents reporting no exercise at all went from 45% at the start of the program to 27% on the post pilot survey (Cowart et al). Just as diet, lifestyle and culture can be changed so can biology. Resting metabolous Rate (RMR) can be raised by obtaining a spindly body mass as muscle is more active than fat. shrink and colleagues have proved this with a study conducted on 49-70 year honest-to-god women. Their study has found that aerobic training in older women increases RMR. They compared active women to non-active women and found that the active women had a significantly higher RMR. Having a body composition of more lean mass to fat mass greatly has implications for increased independence and improved quality of life. (Withers et al). Black American women have particular challenges and considerations in weight loss and fitness.They face a culture that encourages eating and appreciates large body size, a more efficient metabolic system that uses fewer calories at rest, a propensity for their bodies to store fat, and a lifestyle that makes diet and exercise difficult. Yet knowing these challenges is half the battle. With knowledge, the lose of the community and their family, and commitment they can overcome these challenges and reach a death of life season fitness and health. Works Cited Barakat, HA. Obesity Overexpression of Fatty Acid manoeuvre Proteins May Contribute to Obesity in Black Women. Science Letter. 7 Feb 2006. 12 18. meshwork. 18 Feb 2013.Brewis, Alexandra. Obesity Cultural and Biocultural Perspectives. New Brunswick. Rutgers University Press. (2011). Print. Conway, Joan. heathenishity and Energy Stores. The American diary of Clinical Nutrition. 62. 5. Nov 1995. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Cowart, Luvenia. et al. Designing and Pilot-Testing a Church-Based companionship political platform to compact Obesity among African Americans. ABNF diary. 21. 1. (2010). 4-10. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Dixon, John. The Effect of Obesity on Health Outcomes. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. Vol. 316. provide 2. 25 Mar 10. 104-108. Endocrine Aspects of Obesity. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Edelman, Allison.Special Feature Do We Have a Problem? Obesity and Contraception. OB GYN Clinical Alert. Dec 2011. n. pag. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Johnson, Portia Yvonne Wesley. Scholarly Perspectives on Obesity among Black Women. ABNF Journal. 23. 3. (2012). 46-50. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Kirby, James, et. al. Race, Place, and Obesity The Comple x Relationships among Community Racial/Ethnic Composition, Individual Race/Ethnicity, and Obesity in the United States. American Journal of Public Health. 102. 8. Aug 2012. 1572-1578. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Kogiso, Tomomi. et al. Clinical Significance with Fatty Liver Associated with metabolic Syndrome. Hepatology Research. Vol. 37. Issue 9. Sep 2007. 711-721. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Paschal, Angelia. et al. Baseline Assessment of the Heath view and Health Behaviors of African American Participating in the Activities for Life Program A Community Based Health Intervention Program. Journal of Community Health. 29. 4. Aug 2004. 305-318. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Phelan, Sharon. Obesity in the American Population Calories, Cost and Culture. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Volume 203, Issue 6, Dec 2010. 522524. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Rowe, Jill. Voices From the Inside African American Womens Perspectives on Healthy Lifestyles. Health development and Behavior. Vol. 37. Dec 2010. 789-800. Web . 18 Feb 2013. Sanchez-Johnsen, Lisa. et al. Ethnic Differences in Correlates of Obesity between Latin-American and Black Women. Obesity Research. 12. 4. Apr 2004. 652-660. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Stunkard, Albert. Depression and Obesity. Biological Psychology. Vol. 54 Issue 3. 1 Aug 2003. 330-337. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Visscher, Tommy, Jacob Seidell. The Public Health Impact of Obesity. Annual round off of Public Health. (2001). 355-375. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Withers, RT. et al. Energy Metabolism in Sedentary and energetic 49- to 70-yr-old Women. Journal of Applied Physiology. Vol.84. Apr 1998. 1333-1340. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Bibliography Brewis, Alexandra. Obesity Cultural and Biocultural Perspectives. New Brunswick. Rutgers University Press. (2011). Print. Brewis platter is a must read for anyone studying, researching or working in health, weight management or fitness. The author takes a look at obesity from an anthropologists standpoint. Where did obesity originate? How does if effect cer tain races/genders more than others? These are some of the questions answered. The author has lived in different cultures and worked with different ethnicities obtaining answers to some of the mysteries border weight gain.She has uncovered reasons why obesity is prevalent in the United States and other countries. And discusses why some ethnicities are more vulnerable to weight gain after migrating to the United States or other developed nations. The author has studied the culture of the Pima Indians of both the US and Mexico and explains why obesity affects the US Pimas more than the Mexican Pimas. Brewis also explains why some ethnicities find larger body weigh acceptable and why some ethnicities have larger males than females and why they find this perfectly normal. Biagioli, Brian. Advanced Concepts of Personal Training.National Council on Strength and Fitness. (2007). Print. This book was by a medical doctor. This manual is relevant to anyone interested in learning more about physical fitness, nutrition, physiology, body composition and exercise mechanics. It is the National Council on Strength and Fitness consort for all their certified personal trainer candidates. The manual contains 540 pages with many illustrations explaining obesity, Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), Body Mass Index (BMI) and physiology. This manual includes chapters on special populations such as women, children and special needs individuals.HBO The Weight of the Nation. HBO Documentary Films Centers for illness Control and Prevention National Institute of Health. Et al. Various actors/directors. (2007). DVD. This is a four part documentary on obesity in America. Each part is approximately one hour long. The parts consist of consequences, choices, children in crisis and challenges. The films look why the United States is facing an obesity crisis, and what we can do about it now. Various health adepts narrate the films. Interviews are conducted with a host of citizens transaction wi th obesity right now.They tell in their own words the challenges they face. There is significant commentary and interview on ethnicities, females, citizens living in upcountry cities and the issues surrounding obesity and weight gain. The Skinny on Obesity. Perf. Robert Lustig et al. UCTV Prime. 12 Apr. 2012. Web Video. This video series plays on UCSF Prime TV online. Dr. Robert Lustig is hormone expert at the UCSF Childrens Hospital. This is a seven part series that tackles the bedrock of the obesity epidemic such as sugar, hormones, fast food, childhood obesity, and endocrine system. Each part is about 15 minutes long.Only a basic understanding of health and physiology is needed to fully understand concepts presented. Platkin, Charles. The robotic Diet. New York. Penguin. 2005. Print. This book discusses how to slowly improve your diet over time with little changes. Dr. Platkin holds a master of public health and is one of the nations leading public health advocates. He writes The Diet Detective, a syndicated article that appears in hundreds of newspapers throughout the country. His book takes the reader through small steps of diet and lifestyle changes that together create a building block new diet makeover making healthful eating simple and gum olibanum automatic.