Obesity remains an extremely serious issue worldwide. Once considered a problem for wealthier counties, overweight and obesity are now dramatically increasing in low and middle income countries (WHO, 2011). In American, the rates of obesity continue to soar. CDC (2009) recognizes obesity as a risk factor for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other health problems. According to NHANES over two-thirds of the US are overweight or obese, and over one-third are obese (CDC, 2009). Treatment for this illness varies; it may include the incorporation of diet, exercise, behavior modification, medication, and surgery. Since there is no single cause of all overweight and obesity, there is no single way to prevent or treat overweight and obesity that will help everyone (CDC, 2009).
African-American women have the highest rates of obesity in the county (Gaston et al., 2011). Not only are there disparities prevalent between African-American and Caucasian women, research found a disparity between African-American men and women (Ogden, 2009). African-American women have the highest prevalence of the major risk factors-physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and stress-which contributes to poor health outcome (Gaston, 2011). Understanding the causes of this disparity will assist in the development of targeting the African-American population for appropriate weight-loss intervention (Ogden, 2009). This study focuses on obesity in African-American women and the impact of faith-based interventions on weight loss.
Methodology
This is a faith-based weight loss study, based on a random control, pre-test and post-test design, with faith-based interventions aimed at addressing obesity in African-American women. This design measured pre...
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...ng, eating habit, walking and exercising. This program allowed the researcher to teach weight management lesson and skills week. All topics support the messages given in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and My Pyramid.
The intervention group met following the weigh-loss education group. This faith-based series developed by the researcher consisted of 30 minute. This group discussed scriptures, importance of prayer, journaling success, and the commission of exercise.
Summary
African-American continues to lead the nation with the highest rates in overweight and obesity. Healthy People 2010 have set forth goals of decreasing obesity nationally. Research supports identification of cultural specific interventions for this targeted population. This studies focus was faith intervention as a tool to support an increase in weight-loss in African-American.
This meeting lasted about 1 hour and I felt very welcomed in this warm, compassionate setting. Attending this meeting, I knew that I wasn’t going to be judged or looked down upon because of my situation or issues. Everyone who attended this meeting has a story to tell, and that is why they chose to come. I chose to attend this meeting because of my past struggles, so I felt that I could relate to the material that was presented. The group size was small with mainly women between the ages of 19-45, who were either extremely overweight, average weight, underweight, still maintaining control over their eating behaviors, or unable to control their compulsive eating patterns.
Obesity is a serious epidemic that majority of Americans face. The dangerous of obesity should not be taken lightly and addressed admittedly. However, the big question is how or why do some individuals stay skinny or become fat. The movie Weight of The Nations, Part 2: choice helps us explore this unanswered question to give us a better understanding of how this problem has gotten so out of control. This movie targets the obese society in America. This documentary uses scientist to research and address techniques to help people prevent weight gain and loss unhealthy weight. Most Americans want quick fixes to this problem, but have to realize big changes take time, but offer big results. Over all, the idea is to get people motivated by positive results to live a healthier live style.
Body image is an important facet in understanding the phenomenon of eating disorders. Body image concerns are important in the etiology and treatment of eating disorders and obesity (Smith, Thompson, Raczynski, and Hilner, 1997; Thompson, 1997). The construct of body image reflects the level of satisfaction one feels regarding his or her body. Body image is a multidimensional construct. It involves race, socioeconomic status, age, as well as, perceptual and attitudinal components. For this reason, research has been done to dispel the myth that all women have a negative body image. Rather, as has been shown, there are definite differences in the perception of body image and self-concept, especially across racial lines. The claims of most studies suggest that African-American women generally have a greater tolerance or acceptability for higher body weight. In addition, African-American women are also thought to place less importance on body size in the scheme of their overall body image, and there are more likely to be satisfied if they are at a higher body weight, and still regard themselves as attractive. Research not only confirms these statements, but also draws attention to other important, culturally- relevant factors, such as age in relation to other cultural forces such as, different attitudes and behaviors that shape the body images of African-American women. Finally, since research shows that body image is an important aspect in the etiology of eating disorders and obesity, its influence and the cultural forces and components behind it should be taken into account in treatment and for future research.
The American Public Health Association. (2003). The obesity epidemic in U.S. minority communities (Issue Brief ). Retrieved from : : .
Childhood obesity is a consequential medical condition that effects the youth and adolescence of society. This disorder creates health problems that were once only seen in adults, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Although childhood obesity is a world wide issue, the percentage of overweight children differs, especially throughout the United States. Today, the greatest population suffering from this disease are African American children who reside in the southern part of the country. Parents, as well as children, continue to support unhealthy lifestyles even though they are well aware of the life-threatening diseases caused by obesity.
Obesity is a huge problem that needs to be resolved because it affects all people, unlike most issues. People of every gender, every age, and every race are at risk of being obese. Obesity rates in America have nearly doubled within the last twenty years. Something must be done not only to prevent obesity rates continuous rising, but also to dramatically increase the percentage of obese people in America altogether.
Obesity in America is a very serious problem affecting many Americans currently and is a problem that continues to grow each year. “Over the past 40 years, the prevalence of obesity has more than doubled in the United States” (Wimalawansa). This issue is known to many but believed not be an issue to care much about but this is not true. Obesity in America affects everyone regardless if they are obese or not. In order to resolve the problem, we can slaughter all the adults that are currently obese in America.
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 among white (12.6 percent), Asian or Pacific Islander (12.3 percent), and black (11.8 percent) children (Get America Fit).
James, D. C. S. (2013). Weight loss strategies used by African American women: possible implications for tailored messages. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. 26, 71-77.
Since 1970, the obesity rates in America have more than doubled. Currently two-thirds of (roughly 150 million) adults in the United States are either overweight, or obese (Food Research and Action Center). According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, “overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 whereas obesity is defined as a BMI greater than 30.” There are numerous factors that contribute to obesity such as: biological, behavioral and cultural influences (Food Research and Action Center). While these factors all have a large role in obesity, there is no factor with as great of an influence as poverty.
Williamson, L. (1998) Eating disorders and the cultural forces behind the drive for thinness: Are african american women really protected? Social Work in Health Care,28, 61-73.
The SMART goal of the obesity program is to reduce the obese population in Pitt County by creating a healthier diet program. Different objectives will be needed in order to reach this goal. The first objective is that from July 2016 through December 2016 100 community members will participate in the health department’s health promotion activities. This objective aligns with the reinforcement construct of the Social Cognitive Theory. By repeatedly participating in the activities, the 100 community members will be rewarded with the knowledge they receive and also motivation to change their behavior. By having an enjoyable time, they will be rewarded and want to keep coming back to the activities. The second objective is that following the 6-month duration; the majority of the participants will lose 2-10% of their original body weight by changing to a healthier diet. The reason the participants need to lose 2-10% of their body weight is to either prevent or reduce the chances of gaining other health diseases associated with obesity, including coronary artery disease and Type 2 Diabetes. This objective aligns with the self-efficacy construct. By losing a little bit of body fat, the participants will believe in their ability to lose weight, and continue to do so. The third objective is that on June 17 and June 24, informational brochures will be distributed to the community members to create awareness and reminders to join the obesity program, and gain knowledge about the health condition of obesity. This objective deals with the behavioral capability construct of the Social Cognitive Theory because the participants will gain the knowledge and skills needed to change their behavior through the brochures.
In conclusion, government and state leaders should bring some plans to minimize the health disparities in low income African American community. First, they have to give priority in preventing obesity. Prevention is better than cure. Government should focus to establish private and public investors in that locality. They should partner with local people so that those people have chances to get jobs. These organizations should thoroughly examine that community and come up with an idea to rebuild that community using local resources. They should address the health disparities of that community to high level. Local people also should support such organization understanding their benefits. Proper policies should be established in such community.
The American culture/media consistently promotes weight loss; the idea of being thin is associated with success, while being over-weight is associated with being weak and lazy. Individuals who suffer with issues of obesity are often discriminated in areas of educational and workforce environments.
According to the CDC, In a group of children and teens ranging from five year olds and seventeen year olds, around sixty percent of overweight children had at least one cardiovascular risk factor and twenty-five percent of overweight children had more than one risk factor. In addition, some studies have shown that obese children are more likely to become overweight as adults. These overweight and obese children are targets for early discrimination and stereotypes. The stress from discrimination can cause low self esteem that can affect their academic performance and social skills. Obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States that needs to be addressed to improve the quality of life for those struggling with being