Melissa Burleson SOC How Class and Race Drive Obesity

What is Obesity? Obesity is easily diagnosed, however, very difficult to treatObesity is easily diagnosed, however, very difficult to treat Obesity occurs when the body takes in more calories than it is able to burnObesity occurs when the body takes in more calories than it is able to burn Obesity is diagnosed when weight becomes ten percent higher than what is recommended for the height and body shapeObesity is diagnosed when weight becomes ten percent higher than what is recommended for the height and body shape Sixty million Americans suffer from obesitySixty million Americans suffer from obesity Obesity is attributes to 300,000 deaths in the United States annuallyObesity is attributes to 300,000 deaths in the United States annually

What are the Physical Causes of Obesity? Obesity has many complex causes including genetic, biological, behavioral and cultural factorsObesity has many complex causes including genetic, biological, behavioral and cultural factors If a child has one obese parent, the child has a fifty percent chance of also becoming obeseIf a child has one obese parent, the child has a fifty percent chance of also becoming obese If a child has two obese parents, the child has an eighty percent chance of becoming obeseIf a child has two obese parents, the child has an eighty percent chance of becoming obese Obesity in children and young adults can also be realted to poor eating habits, overeating, lack of physical activity, family history, endocrine dysfunction, and neurological problemsObesity in children and young adults can also be realted to poor eating habits, overeating, lack of physical activity, family history, endocrine dysfunction, and neurological problems

Physical Causes of Obesity Con’t Medications such as steroids and psychiatric meds can also contribute to excessive weight gainMedications such as steroids and psychiatric meds can also contribute to excessive weight gain Life events can add to overwhelming stress which may lead to weight gain such as, divorce, death, abuse, and movingLife events can add to overwhelming stress which may lead to weight gain such as, divorce, death, abuse, and moving Emotional disturbances such as depression can have large effects on weight gainEmotional disturbances such as depression can have large effects on weight gain The three main factors are poor diet, lack of exercise and genetics.The three main factors are poor diet, lack of exercise and genetics.

Race and Class Race/Ethnic differences in lifestyle behaviors as well as economic disadvantage may account for some of the race disparity in the obesity-related diseases and disease outcomesRace/Ethnic differences in lifestyle behaviors as well as economic disadvantage may account for some of the race disparity in the obesity-related diseases and disease outcomes Children living in poverty and single –parent homes have held back progress in a child’s overall well being in the past three decadesChildren living in poverty and single –parent homes have held back progress in a child’s overall well being in the past three decades

Race and Class Con’t Although obesity is increasing in all age groups and every race in the United States, there are noted disproportionate rises among African-Americans and Hispanic/Mexican AmericansAlthough obesity is increasing in all age groups and every race in the United States, there are noted disproportionate rises among African-Americans and Hispanic/Mexican Americans Obesity associated diseases such as hypertension and diabetes are found at higher rates in minority races as opposed to Caucasian racesObesity associated diseases such as hypertension and diabetes are found at higher rates in minority races as opposed to Caucasian races Obesity of different racial/ethnic groups appears in children as early as 4 years of ageObesity of different racial/ethnic groups appears in children as early as 4 years of age

Race and Obesity Con’t Body Mass index reveals the following obesity quantities for the following groups: American Indian (31.2%)American Indian (31.2%) Hispanics (22%)Hispanics (22%) Blacks (20.8%)Blacks (20.8%) Whites (15.9%)Whites (15.9%) Asians (12.8%)Asians (12.8%)

Race and Class Con’t Information from Income Climbs, Poverty Stabilizes, Uninsured Rate Increases (2009) reveals the following median incomes:Information from Income Climbs, Poverty Stabilizes, Uninsured Rate Increases (2009) reveals the following median incomes: Asian households ($61,094)Asian households ($61,094) Black households ($30,858)Black households ($30,858) Hispanic households ($35,967Hispanic households ($35,967 Caucasian households ($50,784)Caucasian households ($50,784)

Race and Class Con’t Poor households that struggle hard to afford enough high-quality food resort to substandard nutritional dietsPoor households that struggle hard to afford enough high-quality food resort to substandard nutritional diets Insecurity of food is directly linked to poor dietsInsecurity of food is directly linked to poor diets Poor diets often have vitamin, mineral, fruit, vegetable, grain, and meat deprivationPoor diets often have vitamin, mineral, fruit, vegetable, grain, and meat deprivation The Department of Agriculture states that 11% of American households are food insecureThe Department of Agriculture states that 11% of American households are food insecure

Race and Class Con’t Dr Walter Willet, chairman of the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health states, “The issue of diet quality in low-income and food-insecure groups is a very serious issue, because the flip side of the low intake of minerals and vitamins is that these king of low quality diets are usually characterized by large amounts of starch and refined sugar.”Dr Walter Willet, chairman of the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health states, “The issue of diet quality in low-income and food-insecure groups is a very serious issue, because the flip side of the low intake of minerals and vitamins is that these king of low quality diets are usually characterized by large amounts of starch and refined sugar.”

Health Problems Related to Obesity Are both physical and emotionalAre both physical and emotional Type 2 Diabetes, sleep apnea, orthopedic problems, liver disease, asthma, cancer and osteoarthritisType 2 Diabetes, sleep apnea, orthopedic problems, liver disease, asthma, cancer and osteoarthritis The largest consequence is the increase risk of heart dieaseThe largest consequence is the increase risk of heart diease Obesity claims over 100 billion dollars in health care costs each year!Obesity claims over 100 billion dollars in health care costs each year!

Conclusion Classes of greater wealth consume meals of whole grains, lean meat, fish, low-fat diary products, fresh fruits and vegetables.Classes of greater wealth consume meals of whole grains, lean meat, fish, low-fat diary products, fresh fruits and vegetables. Where as classes of society stricken by poverty consume more processed, fatty and sugary foods.Where as classes of society stricken by poverty consume more processed, fatty and sugary foods. Disadvantaged groups suffer from obesity and many health complications directly related to obesity which are a direct result of poor diet and inadequate nutritionDisadvantaged groups suffer from obesity and many health complications directly related to obesity which are a direct result of poor diet and inadequate nutrition