Disparities in Obesity

With over two-fifths of the adult population in the U.S. classifying as obese, it makes sense to see a growing discussion about obesity interventions on multiple platforms, from schools to federal programs to social media. While taking inspiration from personal testimonies on weight loss may be helpful, it is also essential to acknowledge barriers to health that may impact one’s journey.

RACE

Obesity-related racial disparities continue to grow over the years. Differences in health outcomes based on race include obesity disproportionately affecting both Hispanic and Black adults as well as children, who have a fifty percent increase in the risk of obesity than children who are white. Racial discrimination is a devastating reality for many people in the United States, triggering adverse psychological and physiological effects, including metabolic dysregulation that may be a factor leading to obesity. Race intertwines with other factors influencing health, such as income, environment, and health behaviors.

INVESTING IN HEALTH

While money can’t solve all problems, having more of it is associated with a lower risk of obesity in women. Women who make less money are more likely to be obese than women of the same race and age group who earn a higher income. In addition, food insecurity from income-based limitations to accessing healthy food links to being less likely to consume the recommended amounts of each food group while engaging in behaviors that contribute to the onset of obesity. Food insecurity is a condition primarily faced by low-income households and people who are either Hispanic or Black. For people with a lower income, mental health is often compromised, and they face increased levels of stress–both of which also increase obesity risk.

“EAT, WORK, PLAY”

Our environment includes our home and the external area in which we live and interact. The home is the primary promoter of healthy food consumption and physical activity. Yet, the home environment may not be equipped to adequately protect against obesity due to limited space, utility, and family dynamics. Neighborhoods can also contribute to decreased levels of obesity by having spaces of greenery, which are linked to lower stress levels and increased physical activity.

Tackling the obesity epidemic by improving health outcomes requires a large-scale effort in addition to personal contributions. Steps towards reducing obesity disparities have been taken through Federal health and nutrition programs and communities building areas for physical activity and access to healthy food options. One way to better understand the mechanisms in which health inequities lead to disparities in obesity is through funding research. For example, while we know that certain ethnicities and races are more prone to weight gain and fat accumulation, there is still a significant amount for scientists and public health agencies to discover how exactly this occurs, which could be a missing puzzle piece in the development of obesity treatments.