Obesity is a serious health condition that has caused numerous deaths in America and other parts of the world. The condition occurs when the Body Mass Index (BMI) of an individual is beyond 30. The condition also exposes the victim to other comorbidities such as diabetes, heart diseases, depression, and mellitus among other conditions. It also has perverse effects on the population. This paper explains the sociocultural and ethnic factors that contribute to obesity. Additionally, it offers obesity prevalence rates and indicates the cost of obesity.
Sociocultural and Ethnic Factors That Contribute To Obesity
Gender
Obesity, just like depression, is positively related to women. Their thesis reports that approximately 36% of all American women are obese (Trust for America’s Health and Robert Wod Johnson Foundation, 2017). Obesity also pre- exposes women to numerous medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Scholars posit that women engage more in binge eating because of childhood abuse and neglects. Women also have lower resources than men do; hence, they engage in unhealthy eating practices (Hicken et. Al, 2013).
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Race And Ethnic Background
Hicken et. Al (2013) conducted a study to determine the relationship between racial and ethnic groups and obesity. The hypothesis of the study was ‘to examine the association that occurs between depression in non-Hispanic White women, nine Hispanic Black, as well as Mexican American Women.' The study revealed that Black and Hispanic women have a higher prevalence of obesity in comparison to the White women; the prevalence of obesity is 59%, 45%, and 33% respectively. National statistics further reveal that the rates of obese and overweight have significantly increased across the U.S among people of all ethnic and racial groups, both genders and all ages. Nevertheless, the report posits that some groups are disproportionately affected. The report posits that among the U.S populace, Black and Latinos, whether male or female, have high proportions of obesity. The report further indicates that the higher obesity rates among African Americans are caused by disparate access to healthy affordable food and safe places that allow physical exercises and activity. On the other hand, the report indicates that the inequalities in accessing health facilities and opportunities to make healthy choices contribute to the high obesity rates among Latinos. The people have few places where they can work, live, and play, unlike their White counterparts. The Latino community also experiences higher hunger rates and food insecurity. Therefore, they quickly purchase unhealthy cheaper food, which has more calories and sugar.
Acculturation
Additionally, Shi et al. (2014) posit that immigrants have a hard time assimilating into their host countries while maintaining the beliefs, values, and behaviors from their mother countries. Unfortunately, the factor can cause immigrants to suffer adverse health. Case in point, just like the case of native Latinos that was explained earlier, immigrants lack enough resources to access food. Consequently, they suffer hunger and poverty and are forced to settle for unhealthy food choices (Akabas, Lederman, & Moore, 2012). The above is especially true for the undocumented immigrants who suffer more since they lack Federal medical coverage under the Affordable Care Act. As a result, they most times have limited information about healthy living; among the health conditions that result are obesity and weight-related diseases. Additionally, immigrants are more likely to suffer depression than the natives are; depression is a precursor of binge eating and obesity. Moreover, immigrants have reduced physical activities, and that serves as a predictor of mental disorders and obesity.
Mental Health
Jung & Chang (2014) posit that nonspecific mental distress is associated with obesity. The fact is true, particularly among the working population. The tests conducted on the sample selected revealed that the rate of obesity more than doubled among the mentally unhealthy people within four years. The rate within the span rose from 14% to 28.6%. At the same time, Jung & Chang (2014) stated that it had earlier been established that there is a positive association between clinically significant mental illness and obesity. The study revealed that mental illness might result because of the social and psychological problems, which are associated with weight stigma.
Social Economic Status
Kumanyika &Grier (2006) state that the rate of childhood obesity is high among the communities that have low income. The study reveals that the children from low-income families are exposed to more television. Consequently, they see more commercials that advertise low-nutrient and high-calorie foods. Moreover, the low-income estates and communities of color have more fast-food outlets than the wealthier and predominantly White kids do. In addition to that, these neighborhoods also have poor lighting, unsafe streets, lack of facilities and dilapidated parks, which all limit the kids from physical activities (Akabas, Lederman, & Moore, 2012). Unfortunately, most of this population is also composed of the ethnic minority kids, and it exposes them to high obesity rates birth in childhood as well as adulthood.
Prevalence Rates Of Obesity
Hicken et. Al (2013) states that 34.9% Americans are obese. Of these, 47.8% are black, 42.5% are Latino, and 32.6% are White Consultation on Obesity, & WHO Consultation on Obesity (2000). The report also states that childhood obesity rate has persisted among the people of color. The Latino and Black youths have significantly higher obesity and overweight rates than their White counterparts. The same is true for kids, adolescents, girls, and boys. The prevailing rate of childhood obesity in the U.S is 16.9%: 22.4% of these are Latino, 20.2% Black, and 14.3% are White.
Costs Of Obesity, Including Behavioral, Social, And Economic Consequences
The economic cost of obesity in the developed countries ranges between 2-7 % of the total health care costs. Additionally, this cost is expected to rise higher with the higher obesity rates in the world. In the developing nations, the cost of treating obesity is even higher than in the developed nations since it involves the cost of importing expensive health machines and facilities. Consultation on Obesity, & WHO Consultation on Obesity (2000) states that the obesity costs include the direct cost, which causes the community resources to be directed to diagnosis and treatment of obesity and its related diseases. Obesity is also associated with indirect costs through the reduced quality of life among the rest of the society. The indirect costs are measured via the absenteeism rates and premature death of the obesity victims. Obesity also implies some indirect and direct costs on the government, employers, obese people, and their families.
Obese people also suffer low self-esteem since they do not feel right about their weight. The above affects their productivity in their workplaces as well as in their homes. Moreover, they suffer low-quality relationships based on high prevalence of conflicts among the victims. Many also shy away from the public, leading to overall low output.
Conclusion
In conclusion, obesity rates are influenced by several ethnic and sociocultural factors such as low income, ethnic backgrounds, and acculturation, and gender. It is best for the government to address these issues before the condition gets out of hand since it has already affected more than third of the entire population. The best way to reduce the rates is through working with researchers and scholars who study the factors that aggravate the conditions.
References
Akabas, S. R., Lederman, S. A., & Moore, B. J. (2012). Textbook of obesity: Biological, psychological, and cultural influences. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
Consultation on Obesity, & WHO Consultation on Obesity (2000). Obesity: Preventing and managing the global epidemic: report of a WHO consultation ; [Consultation on Obesity, 1997 Geneva, Switzerland] . Geneva: World Health Organization.
Hicken, M. T., Lee, H., Mezuk, B., Kershaw, K. N., Rafferty, J., & Jackson, J. S. (2013). Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Association between Obesity and Depression in Women. Journal of Women's Health (15409996), 22(5), 445-452. doi:10.1089/jwh.2012.4111
Kumanyika, S., &Grier, S., (2006). Targeting Interventions for Ethnic Minority and Low-Income Populations. Spring Journal 16 (1). 187-219.
Shi, R., Zhang, D., Meijgaard, J.M et. Al (2015). Is obesity related to deteriorating mental health of the U.S. working-age population?. Am J Public Health. 105 :81-90. doi:10.2105/AJPH.
Trust for America’s Health and Robert Wod Johnson Foundation (2017). Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Obesity . Retrieved from: https://stateofobesity.org/disparities/
