Obesity Among African American Women

I wrote an article recently titled 2010 Weight Loss Plunders, and one of my slim and fit friends said that they were glad they didn't have a weight problem. Those were my exact words 30 and 20 years ago, even seven years ago after a weight loss rebirth.

As a child growing up, I was under weight. I remember looking at a photo of my husband and I not long after we had our first child. I was just a little thing with skinny legs. After I had my second child, I gained a little weight, but went on a summer diet and took the weight right off. Only problem was, I got pregnant when my newborn was three months old (guess I looked a little too good). After I had my last son, I gained weight, which I went on a diet and lost all 20 pounds by the end of the year.

I stayed the same size until around the age of 35 or 36. That's when my unhealthy and out of control eating habits started taking their toll on my body. I expanded, not overnight, but over the years of taking for granted that I could still eat like I did when I was in high school and have the same waistline.

I look around at other African American women that I've known for years, or almost a lifetime, and I see me all over again. They are women who stayed slim, yet voluptuous throughout high school and into their 20s and 30s. At some point in time, some age of reckoning, they kept the voluptuous, but the slim disappeared. In this article, I want to discuss the facts concerning obesity and other related health concerns in African American Women.

First of all, Black women are genetically heavier than women of other races. We tend to have heavier bones. Our physical makeup allows for protruding breasts, abdomens and hips. These features are sex symbols for African American women. The problems start when:

1. back problems develop because of the pull of too large breasts.
2. large abdomens spell chronic visceral fat issues, insulin resistance and other serious health problems.
3. big buttocks, hips and thighs make it impossible for spines and knees to support them.

Aside from physiological and anatomical differences African American women have, there are psychological differences. Skinny black women are considered undernourished in many circles. You've heard the saying: "girl, you need to eat so you can get some meat on your bones." Women of color who have meat on their bones are voluptuous and confident. They are less likely to become anorexic. Throughout the centuries, we've had both male and female mentors who've assured us that big black women are beautiful.

Black women have been less prone to exercise until recently. While our white counterparts keep gym memberships, attend aerobics classes and get involved in sports, the majority of African American women tended to shy away from such activities.

Another count against African Americans in the weight loss arena is food. Traditional soul food dishes are pleasurable to the palate. They also contain the most fat and cholesterol in many cases than other ethnic cuisine. The livelihood of the black family revolves around the Sunday dinner and other special occasions when the table is spread with luscious good food shared among family and friends. Good cooks normally spare no decadent ingredient of rich desserts and delectable fried foods. While this type menu is great on occasion, some black families partake of these foods almost everyday, often throwing moderation out the window.

It was not until recently, when the health of friends, loved ones and even our own health was threatened and lost did black women begin to see the seriousness of our neglect and started trying to do something about it. The trend of African American women to become physically active and eat healthier is on the upswing. Yet there are still pockets where - hypertension, stroke, heart attack, diabetes or not - black women have made no significant changes in the way they eat and treat their bodies. These statistics bear out this point:1. In the United States in 2009, the highest percentages of overweight and obesity were among Blacks (68.4%) according to studies presented by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF).
2. Statistics by KFF in a 2007 study showed a higher death rate among African Americans in all but eight states
3. Deaths by blacks due to diabetes accounted for 42.8% per 100,000 in 2007
4. Cancer deaths were 219.4% per 100,000 among blacks in 2007
5. Heart disease was 247.1% per 100,000 among blacks in 2007

Obesity related illnesses such as heart disease, certain cancers, stroke and diabetes are four of the15 top causes of death in the United States. If we look around, we can count more relatives and friends who became sick or died due to obesity-related diseases within the last two years than we can be comfortable with. Isn't it time to do something?

African American Women Waging War against Obesity

The cliché knowledge is power is true only when we respond to the knowledge that we've gained. In 2011, may women of color who have struggled with obesity and other detrimental health related issues join hands and declare that enough is enough. Here are some things that we can all do.

Recognize - Four out of five African American women are obese. Although being obese is more readily accepted in the African American culture, obesity along with obesity related diseases is the number one killer of African Americans. The self-indulgent good food and sedentary lifestyle is killing blacks like it never has before!

Exercise - three to four times a week for at least 30 minutes. It can be as simple as taking a brisk walk. If you have access to a gym or know someone who does, use that access to create a more physically fit you. Another important exercise black women should participate in is self control. Another name for this exercise is "pushing back the plate", or "pulling away from the table" before over-indulging. Eat less, and then eat fewer fatty, sugary foods. Drink fewer sugary drinks and much more water - eight glasses a day.

Prioritize - Put weight loss and getting physically fit at the top of the list. Only when you do, will you begin to do what is necessary to take off those pounds and inches. Your health should not come second to anyone or anything. If you don't take proper care of yourself, no one else will. Likewise, if you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to take care of anyone else. Start the year off by getting a physical, and always consult your doctor before participating in any weight loss program.

Losing weight and getting in shape among African American women isn't easy, but it is doable. When you know that your life depends on it - and it does - the incentive is even better. It's not about looking as good as America's Top Model. It's about extending life and quality of life.

Helpful online resources:

The STOP Obesity Alliance. STOP stands for Strategies to Overcome and Prevent: http://www.stopobesityalliance.org/facts-and-resources/obesity-fact-sheet//

Mayo Clinic on weight loss: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/weight-loss/MH00025

Weight loss tips, programs, exercise and nutritional help at Weight Loss for All: http://www.weightlossforall.com/

Other sources used in the article

http://www.statehealthfacts.org/comparebar.jsp?ind=91&cat=2http://www.thegrio.com/specials/be-well-be-healthy/how-obesity-has-become-a-part-of-black-culture.php