Obesity statistics reveal glaring health disparities among minorities

The obesity epidemic afflicting the United States impacts scores of people regardless of age, gender or race. But recently released statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that minority groups experience obesity at even greater levels than their white counterparts.

According to the July 17 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, blacks have a 51 percent greater prevalence of obesity than whites. Hispanics also experience a greater percentage of obesity than whites with a 21 percent higher prevalence, according to the CDC publication.

There are a number of potential reasons why minorities are experiencing higher obesity rates. In many cases these populations do not have adequate access to health information and services. Minority populations with high levels of obesity tend to live in areas where there is limited access to recreational activities, few options for healthy foods and lower levels of health education.

Geography appears to have a significant impact on minority obesity rates. Among blacks, obesity rates ranged from 23 percent to 45.1 percent throughout the United States. For Hispanics the obesity rate ranged from 21 percent to 36.7 percent.

In 11 states, the prevalence of obesity was 30 percent or higher among Hispanics. In 40 states, the prevalence of obesity was 30 percent or more among blacks. In Alabama, Maine, Mississippi, Ohio and Oregon, the obesity rate among blacks was 40 percent or more.

Among whites, the prevalence of obesity ranged from 9 percent to 30.2 percent around the country. West Virginia was the only state where the prevalence of obesity among whites was 30 percent or more.

Cultural norms also play a significant part in health disparities related to obesity. In many cases, blacks, Hispanics and other minority groups may not view being overweight or obese as a negative trait. While this may minimize the problems associated with chronic dieting and negative body image often seen in white culture, it may lead to the cultural acceptance of an unhealthy condition.

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