Disproportionate Prevalence and Contributing Factors of Obesity Among African American Women
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Disproportionate Prevalence and Contributing Factors of Obesity Among African American Women
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Overview of Obesity Prevalence Among African American Women in the United States
The general diet in the United States differs significantly from that of many other nations. In America, packaged foods and artificial chemicals dominate the everyday diet, along with foods produced through genetic engineering that are high in sugar, cholesterol, starch, oil, and calories. Several of these elements, together with biological factors, physical inactivity, and poor lifestyle choices, contribute significantly to the high rate of obesity in the country. Obesity is a condition characterized by the accumulation of excess body fat, which increases the risk of numerous health problems. The incidence of obesity continues to rise in the United States, particularly among African American women, who reportedly experience the highest obesity rates of any demographic group. An estimated 36.5% of U.S. adults were obese between 2011 and 2014, while 32.8% were obese between 2013 and 2014, with the highest prevalence occurring among African American women. Compared to the overall population, obesity is more prevalent among African Americans (48.1%). Furthermore, compared to 29% of women living at or above the 350% poverty level, 42% of women living below the 130% poverty level are overweight or obese (Opichka et al. 81). Although obesity affects individuals of all races, genders, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds, it disproportionately affects African American women.
Physiological Factors Associated with Elevated Obesity Risk
According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017–2018, 31%, 42%, and 9% of U.S. adults were overweight, obese, or severely obese, respectively. African Americans are disproportionately affected by obesity (Lofton et al. 307). Among individuals under the age of 20 during 2017–2018, African Americans had the highest prevalence of obesity (49.6%), while African American women experienced higher rates (56.9%) than African American men (41.1%). Recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also indicate that African Americans are more likely than Caucasians or European Americans to be obese (BMI > 30 kg/m²). However, this disparity is especially pronounced among women. When analyzed by race and gender, African American women had an obesity rate of 55%, compared to 37% for African American men and approximately 38% for both genders among European Americans (Gower et al. 295). The disproportionate prevalence of obesity among African American women may be explained physiologically through interactions involving insulin production, insulin clearance, insulin sensitivity, and dietary glycaemic load. Women generally exhibit greater insulin sensitivity than men, increasing susceptibility to obesity (Gower et al. 299). Oestrogen is believed to enhance insulin sensitivity, thereby contributing to these physiological differences.
Behavioral and Health Implications of Obesity
Furthermore, many African American women may be predisposed to obesity because of elevated AIRg levels and relatively high insulin sensitivity, which preferentially direct energy toward fat storage. A high-glycaemic diet further intensifies these physiological effects. The increased obesity susceptibility among women may also be attributed to oestrogen, which enhances both beta-cell mass and insulin sensitivity, although not all African American men experience the same level of vulnerability (Gower et al. 302). Obesity is associated with numerous comorbid conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and several forms of cancer. It is also linked to problematic eating behaviors such as overeating and loss of control over food intake. Compared with women who are lean or of average weight, overweight or obese women are more likely to engage in unhealthy eating behaviors, including eating when not hungry, frequent overeating, and persistent thoughts about food (Opichka et al. 86). These behaviors have contributed significantly to the high prevalence of obesity among African American women.
References
Gower, B. A., and L. A. Fowler. "Obesity in African-Americans: The Role of Physiology." Journal of Internal Medicine, vol. 288, no. 3, 2020, pp. 295–304.
Lofton, Holly, et al. "Obesity among African American People in the United States: A Review." Obesity, vol. 31, no. 2, 2023, pp. 306–315.
Opichka, Katelyn, Chery Smith, and Allen S. Levine. "Problematic Eating Behaviors Are More Prevalent in African American Women Who Are Overweight or Obese Than African American Women Who Are Lean or Normal Weight." Family & Community Health, vol. 42, no. 2, 2019, pp. 81–89.