Obesity is one of the conditions or diseases that impact populations disproportionately. This complex disease is characterized by abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat in the body. A crude population-level measure of this condition is the “body mass index” (BMI). Generally, for an individual to be considered obese, he or she must have a BMI of 30 or more. Obesity is not just a cosmetic concern as it increases an individual's risk of contracting other diseases or conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. According to the CDC, the prevalence of obesity in America has risen significantly in recent years. It is in this regard that the CDC considers obesity a serious global health concern or pandemic. In the United States, obesity disproportionately impacts certain racial and ethnic minority groups. In particular, it predominantly affects African Americans. This paper will delve into discussing the primary mechanisms by which obesity manifests, how obesity impacts the quality of life or lifespan of those affected, the prevalence of obesity in blacks, and why obesity is more prevalent in these populations.
According to Redigner (2017), “obesity is an exaggeration of normal adiposity” and plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of several diseases or conditions, including diabetes and hypertension. This is because obesity is largely associated with the secretion of adipokines. Besides, this condition contributes to the metabolic dysfunction involving lipid and glucose (Redinger, 2007). As such, this condition causes the dysfunction of some organs, such as the liver and endocrine. Due to its effects on inflammatory adipokine secretion, obesity causes certain cancers, such as esophageal and colon cancers.
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Obesity is considered a global pandemic due to its impact on morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. A wide range of studies indicates that obesity leads to a decrease in “health-related quality of life” (HRQOL) (Busutil et al., 2017). Obesity is associated with many health complications, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers, such as endometrial, cervical, ovarian, pancreatic, thyroid, liver, and kidney cancers, among other types of cancers. Severe obesity leads to several bones and joint issues, such as spinal disorders and back pain. Combined with obesity, these health-related complications lead to a decrease in HRDOL. In some cases, obesity may lead to disability or even death. Generally, obesity can have a dramatic effect on an individual's body. Thus, obesity and the complications associated with it can be detrimental to an individual's health.
In the United States, obesity is more prevalent among African Americans. According to a survey conducted by Petersen et al. (2019), in 2017, African American adults had the highest prevalence of obesity (38.4%), followed by Hispanic adults (32.6%), and White adults (28.6%). A survey conducted by the CDC between 2006 and 2008 indicated that obesity is more prevalent among blacks. The study found that African Americans (35.7%) had a 51% greater prevalence of obesity, followed by Hispanics (28.7%) who had 21% greater prevalence when compared to whites (23.7%). Table 1 shows the prevalence of obesity among adults by race. Based on these two studies' findings, it clear that obesity is more prevalent in African Americans than in Hispanics and Whites.
Table 1: Prevalence of Obesity among Adults by Race
Source: CDC (2009).
Although the disparities in obesity are not all known, they are partly attributed to the social and economic disparities between the different racial groups in the United States. According to the “U.S. Department of Health and Human Services” (2018), the disparities in obesity are "closely linked with social, economic, and/or environment disadvantage" and some people in the U.S. "have experienced greater social and/or economic obstacles to health…based on their racial or ethnic group" (n.p.). As such, obesity is highly prevalent among African Americans because they are more socially and economically disadvantaged compared to other ethnic groups. Other factors that contribute to the high prevalence rates of obesity among African Americans include lower graduation rates, unemployment, food insecurity, sedentary lifestyles, and poor access to health care, among numerous other factors (Romieu et al., 2017; Petersen et al., 2019). Since the factors mentioned above are more prevalent among blacks, they are highly likely to contract obesity compared to other racial groups.
To sum up, obesity is one of the conditions that affect populations disproportionately. This condition is more prevalent among African Americans, followed by Hispanics and Whites. This is because blacks are more socially and economically disadvantaged than other racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. Thus, to reduce the prevalence of obesity among blacks as well as the overall prevalence of obesity in the U.S., there is a need to address the social and economic disparities that exist in the U.S.
References
Busutil, R., Espallardo, O., Torres, A., Martínez-Galdeano, L., Zozaya, N., & Hidalgo-Vega, Á. (2017). The impact of obesity on health-related quality of life in Spain. Health and quality of life outcomes , 15 (1), 197.
CDC. (, 2009). Differences in prevalence of obesity among Black, White, and Hispanic adults -United States, 2006-2008. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5827a2.htm
Petersen, R., Pan, L., & Blanck, H. M. (2019). Peer Reviewed: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Adult Obesity in the United States: CDC's Tracking to Inform State and Local Action. Preventing chronic disease , 16 .
Redinger, R. N. (2007). The pathophysiology of obesity and its clinical manifestations. Gastroenterology & hepatology , 3 (11), 856
Romieu, I., Dossus, L., Barquera, S., Blottière, H. M., Franks, P. W., Gunter, M., ... & Nishida, C. (2017). Energy balance and obesity: what are the main drivers?. Cancer Causes & Control , 28 (3), 247-258.
Saltiel, A. R., & Olefsky, J. M. (2017). Inflammatory mechanisms linking obesity and metabolic disease. The Journal of clinical investigation , 127 (1), 1-4.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2011). National stakeholder strategy for achieving health equity. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .
