Childhood Obesity Among Low Income Latino Population

Various regions of the world have different responses to the issue of obesity. Some cultures view obesity as necessary and attractive while others are taking drastic measures in an attempt to promote a healthy lifestyle. Although some of these drastic changes seem a bit invasive and controversial, policy makers are debating whether it is effective and even whether or not such a policy should be adopted in the United States. According to the article written by Gallagher, a culture sensitive approach should be implemented in order to tackle the issue of global obesity. A study of children of Mexican descent showed that about 32.6% of Mexican children occupying the U.S. are overweight and about 19.2% are obese (Gallagher 2010). The parents observed in this study were serving their children unhealthy foods, such as those from cans and fast food restaurants, due to price and convenience (Gallagher 2010).

Over 60 million people are obese in the world today. The socioeconomic statuses of the Americans play a major part in the obesity rates across the country. People with higher incomes are less likely to be obese than people with lower incomes. One in every seven preschool-aged children living in lower income areas are obese (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). A 2008 study showed that obesity is highest among American Indian and Alaska Native (21.2 percent) and Hispanic Americans (18.5 percent) children, and it is lowest

Poor nutrition in the United States is indeed a scary factor that continues to lead our citizens to chronic healthcare conditions. The article notes “Health People 2020 states the most affected are non-White, Hispanic adult populations are disproportionately affected by obesity” (Kaiser Foundation Hospital, 2014, p. 6)

The Hispanic cultures view on obesity or having a fuller and heavier child differs from an American’s perspective. Like many cultures around the world, hefty version of themselves is a sign of wealth and opulence. This belief is passed down to their children. Hispanic and Latino mothers believe a heavier child is a good idea and it shows healthy development. “Culture can influence the perception of risk associated with obesity. Studies of Latinos have found that many mothers of obese children believe their child to be healthy and are unconcerned about their child's weight, although these same parents are likely to believe that obese children in general should be taken to a nutritionist or physician for help with weight reduction.” (Caprio

The cultural factor is not the only thing responsible for these habits, also because many Latino Americans in a household where both parents work is sometimes easier and cheaper to just get some fatty or junk food instead of buying fruits and vegetables (Heart Association, 2015). We also have to consider the social-economical factor within the Latino American population where resources are less available than other groups in the United States and their limitation and understanding the role of maintaining a healthy lifestyle can benefit their overall health. Latino Americans are less likely to afford the resources and time to exercise, most of Latino Americans cannot afford the high cost of fitness facilities and professional trainers unlike other Americans. It is important also to highlight that the number of Latino Americans are employed in physical labor jobs which make them tired and often they lack the time and energy to engage in fitness programs that can help them minimize their risks of heart

There is a growing link between food insecurity and the increased prevalence of diabetes in the Latino community. Food insecurity has been shown in the literature to lead to increased diabetic prevalence among the Latino community. According to Fitzgerald et al, food insecurity is defined as “the limited ability to acquire nutritionally adequate and safe foods in socially acceptable ways.” (328) Food insecurity is seen in the form of skipping meals due to work and other obligations. Typically, Latinos have jobs that pay minimum wage and require more hours than a typical nine to five job. It is with these working conditions that lead to shorter lunch breaks and poor food choices. Fast food chains and cultural foods often

Childhood obesity has become an epidemic in the United States in the past three decades. In 2012, roughly 17% or 12.5 million children and adolescents are overweight or obese” (“Childhood Obesity Facts,” 2014). According to the Centers of Disease Control and

According to Adelle Davis “statistics of illness in the United States are too depressing to examine”. Illnesses that were never even heard of a century ago are striking out population harder than ever. What is worse is these diseases and illnesses have no limits; they strike infants, children and teenagers just as harshly as they do adults and the elderly. The most common disease is obesity and the alarming part is that children are now prone to obesity starting at just three years of age. Based on research done in 2002, obesity rates are rising amongst children younger than ten years old in the United States of America due to low income rates and ethnicity. According to this research, poor income leads to poor meal and entertainment decisions, these two decisions are highly balanced by the culture individuals that then carry on to their children. Our community is largely populated by Hispanics, and Nichman found that “The prevalence of obesity among Hispanic American populations is generally greater than among white populations in the United States”. Not only is our El Paso population highly vulnerable to these diseases because of the culture we carry, but we also house areas of high poverty. Our children are at high risk of this deadly disease, through seemingly harmless characteristics such as culture and economic status.

The purpose of this article is to take a closer look at income-specific trends in obesity, particularly rates among a diverse population of Californian adolescents. This study used data from 17,535 adolescents that answered to the California Health Interview Survey between 2001-2007. Researchers looked for disparities in obesity prevalence by gender and family income. They found that the prevalence of obesity increased notably among lower-income adolescents but showed no variation among higher-income adolescents after looking at gender, age, and race/ethnicity. Researchers also found that disparities in obesity by family income doubled during the time period. These results were seen more in male adolescents than female adolescents. What came

There have been many studies done in trying to find the root cause for childhood obesity and all stem back to bad dietary patterns, physical inactivity, and genetics. Additionally, factors in society that contribute to this detrimental disease is the education and skills that are taught to children at a young age along with food marketing and promotion for unhealthy foods. There isn’t a demographic group in the United States that has been unaffected by the childhood obesity epidemic, but there is evidence that supports that some subgroups of the U.S. population are more prone to the onset of this epidemic and that have been more affected than others. Certain ethnic minority populations, children from low income families, and children from the southern region in the United States display the trend of having a higher percentage of overweight

Diet-related health challenges have become a major health and economic concern in the modern society. The 21st century has witnessed an increase in the number in diet-related health conditions such as obesity and high blood pressure that continues to exert pressure on the community and national resources. As a community health nurse, one gets to perceive the magnitude of these challenges through field experience. This paper sets up to provide a community health nursing-field experience gained in the city of Katy, Texas, U.S.A by exploring the health issue of childhood obesity in the city. This fieldwork will focus on children between the ages of 2 and 19 across all genders among the Hispanics, whereby 21.4 % and 22.4% of Latino males and females respectively aged between 2 and 19 years were obese (Texas Department of State Health Services, 2014). The paper seeks to analyze the health identified health challenge and outline measures to address the issue.

It is currently believed that within the United States, one and five children are overweight or borderline obese (Williamson et al., 2008). Specific populations within the United States have demonstrated a higher prevalence of obesity in youth, which include Hispanic and African Americans. This fact results in obesity being the most prevalent nutritional disorder among youth populations (Williamson et al., 2008).

Health professionals have the responsibility of delivering quality health care to all the people regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or race. It means that health professionals have to work on the level ground to ensure that every individual receives social justice. In San Juan County Hispanic are the biggest ethnic minority group and disproportionately face daily life poor conditions, shaped by social determinants of health. With such harsh conditions, it is evident that the likelihood of accessing quality diet is minimal and hence accelerates obesity among the Hispanic

Obesity in children is characterized by an excess amount of body fat (“Obesity in Children,” 2016). In the United States, obesity in children has become an epidemic that continues to increase at an astronomical rate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), showed obesity among Hispanic children was 22.4% in 2011-2012 (“Childhood Obesity Facts,” 2015). According to a recent report conducted by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Hispanic children are at a heightened risk for obesity and comorbidities associated with obesity (Pulgaron, Patino-Fernandez, Sanchez, Carrillo, & Delamater, 2013). Obesity in Hispanic children predisposes children and adolescents to bone and joint-related problems, social problems, sleep apnea as well as various psychological issues such as depression, negative body image, and low self-esteem (“Overweight in Children,” 2014). Obesity in Hispanic children also has a number of long-term affects primarily due to the strong correlation between childhood obesity and obesity as an adult. This places Hispanic children at an increased risk of suffering from asthma cancer, dyslipidemia, fatty liver disease, heart disease, osteoarthritis, stroke, and type 2 diabetes (“Overweight in Children,” 2014; Pulgaron et al., 2013; Raychaudhuri & Sanyal, 2012).

Many children in America are obese and child obesity has led to many health issues. ASPE Research shows that children who are overweight will have health issues in the future, such as high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, respiratory ailments, orthopedic problems, depression, and other illnesses. Also, children who are considered obese are 70% more likely to continue being obese into adulthood (“Obesity Statistics”). The highest rates of child obesity are seen in African Americans, Hispanics, and Native