Author: Danelle Rolle – [email protected]
A recent study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, focused on the incidence of childhood obesity in the United States. From a study size of almost 8000, Cunningham et. al reported that the incidence of obesity for children (between the ages of 5 – 14) is four times higher among those who had been overweight at age 5. Statistics given for non-Hispanic black children (NHBC) were among the highest reported in the study. Starting at third grade, NHBC had a higher prevalence of obesity than non-Hispanic white children; they were second only to Hispanic children. This study also reported that between kindergarten and 8th grade, the prevalence of obesity increased to nearly 120% for NHBC.[1] Cunningham et. al argued that the course to obesity is already established at the age of 5 and that the factors that affect this course play an important role1.
Black culture definitely has factors that contribute to an unhealthy lifestyle. In 2010, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health reported that 70% of African Americans are less likely to participate in physical activity when compared to their Non-Hispanic white equivalents[2]. Although the typical African American meal can consist of healthier options such as vegetables and legumes, it can also consist of foods that are low in fiber, low in calcium and high in fat[3]. It is no secret that we in the black community love our food deep fried, barbequed and covered in gravy3.
Fortunately for us, there are steps that can be taken to counteract our unhealthy lifestyles and form better habits for our children. The American Heart Association offers a list of the “Top 10 Tips to Help Children Develop Healthy Habits”[4]. By following these simple steps, we can increase our efforts to instill healthier habits into our young children. The “baby fat” many of us believe will fall off, unfortunately won’t, if we are not proactive with our kids’ health.
Resources:
[1] Cunningham, S. A., Kramer, M.R., Narayan, K.M.V., (2014). Incidence of Childhood Obesity in the Unite States. New Engl. J. Med., 370(5), 403-411.
[2] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health. (2013). Obesity and African Americans. The Office of Minority Health publication. http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/content.aspx?ID=6456 (Accessed February 2014).
[3] The Ohio State University. (2010). Cultural Diversity: Eating in America African American. Family and Consumer Services Fact Sheet. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/pdf/5250.pdf (Accessed February 2014).
[4] American Heart Association. (2013). Top 10 Tips to Help Children Develop Healthy Habits. American Heart Association publication. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/HealthierKids/HowtoMakeaHealthyHome/Top-10-Tips-to-Help-Children-Develop-Healthy-Habits_UCM_303805_Article.jsp (Accessed February 2014)
A recent study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, focused on the incidence of childhood obesity in the United States. From a study size of almost 8000, Cunningham et. al reported that the incidence of obesity for children (between the ages of 5 – 14) is four times higher among those who had been overweight at age 5. Statistics given for non-Hispanic black children (NHBC) were among the highest reported in the study. Starting at third grade, NHBC had a higher prevalence of obesity than non-Hispanic white children; they were second only to Hispanic children. This study also reported that between kindergarten and 8th grade, the prevalence of obesity increased to nearly 120% for NHBC.[1] Cunningham et. al argued that the course to obesity is already established at the age of 5 and that the factors that affect this course play an important role1.
Black culture definitely has factors that contribute to an unhealthy lifestyle. In 2010, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health reported that 70% of African Americans are less likely to participate in physical activity when compared to their Non-Hispanic white equivalents[2]. Although the typical African American meal can consist of healthier options such as vegetables and legumes, it can also consist of foods that are low in fiber, low in calcium and high in fat[3]. It is no secret that we in the black community love our food deep fried, barbequed and covered in gravy3.
Fortunately for us, there are steps that can be taken to counteract our unhealthy lifestyles and form better habits for our children. The American Heart Association offers a list of the “Top 10 Tips to Help Children Develop Healthy Habits”[4]. By following these simple steps, we can increase our efforts to instill healthier habits into our young children. The “baby fat” many of us believe will fall off, unfortunately won’t, if we are not proactive with our kids’ health.
Resources:
[1] Cunningham, S. A., Kramer, M.R., Narayan, K.M.V., (2014). Incidence of Childhood Obesity in the Unite States. New Engl. J. Med., 370(5), 403-411.
[2] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health. (2013). Obesity and African Americans. The Office of Minority Health publication. http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/content.aspx?ID=6456 (Accessed February 2014).
[3] The Ohio State University. (2010). Cultural Diversity: Eating in America African American. Family and Consumer Services Fact Sheet. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/pdf/5250.pdf (Accessed February 2014).
[4] American Heart Association. (2013). Top 10 Tips to Help Children Develop Healthy Habits. American Heart Association publication. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/HealthierKids/HowtoMakeaHealthyHome/Top-10-Tips-to-Help-Children-Develop-Healthy-Habits_UCM_303805_Article.jsp (Accessed February 2014)