Obesity Campaign Poster (Photo credit: Pressbound)

Studying obesity is a science. The real science behind obesity in African -American women has not been highlighted properly by mass media and other major health sources.  The science behind obesity in African American women is usually reduced to lack of exercise and poor diet. They are known to be heavy on the seasonings and oil when it comes to cooking in the kitchen. Many of them use no measuring cup but instead estimate how much to put into their daily menu. These minor omissions of following the recipe has put on hundreds of pounds and many who have developed serious health issues. It is not the eating alone but the vicious cycle of poverty, racism and esteem that many obese African –American women are forced to be part of.

Obesity in African American Women

Obesity is on the rise for much of the U.S. population. So, for many black women, why is there little time for physical activities or a routine exercise plan? What has caused black women to become overweight at a much faster rate than other races of women?

Plus Economic Hardship

These are typical women who are sometimes head of household trying to provide for a family. Many obese African- American women work two jobs with little time for rest, exercise or physical activity. They come home to a mound of stress worrying about how to make ends meet while living paycheck to paycheck. Sometimes, they are abandoned by their men and forced to carry the burden of rearing children who are difficult to handle due to poor living and educational conditions.

Plus Racism

Dorriewilliamswheeler (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

They become overwhelmed by the pain of racism by being overworked and underpaid. Black women are simply overlooked for higher paying jobs because of their skin color. From these factors, stress sets in and pounds are added to the body. There is just not enough time to continue to look good, feel good and stay fit.

Black women are caught up in survival and hoping each day will get better. As the days slip by and the body starts aging, issues like obesity leads to many heart problems, diabetes, strokes and even cancer.

Conclusions

The situation is very sad because nobody cares about how the situation developed except for a survey here or there. Women of color need to start self-monitoring their weight which involves their health. They should know who is responsible for keeping them healthy. With that being said, they owe it to their family to keep their bodies active as much as possible. The only way to live is to live in a society where your health should be the first priority.

Written By:

Idella Johnson

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