What is the link between Hispanics and obesity? Are people of Hispanic origin more prone to obesity than others?
Respected Hispanic trend watcher Jaun G Tornoe feels there is enough anecdotal and scientific data supporting the link between Hispanics and obesity to raise warning flags?
One of the culprits he identifies is the huge choice of cheap, fast food and sugary drinks on offer to newly arrived Latino immigrants, many of whom come from extremely deprived backgrounds?
Fast Foods and Obesity - a Warning From a Friend...
In a recent blog, Tornoe recounts how, as a new immigrant himself, a friend had warned him of this danger...
"(He) told me right after I moved into the U.S. to be careful with the junk food... He noticed that many new immigrants went crazy with the excessive food offerings this country offers.
"If they are not careful, they will watch their waistline be a victim of over choice in just a couple of months."
Victims of Good Intentions...
Second and third generation Hispanic families are also at risk. Ironically, they're largely victims of their parents' good intentions.
"Generally speaking, back in Latin America, a chubby baby or little kid is the obvious sign of healthiness (compared with the unfortunate scars malnutrition leaves on many persons South of the Border)," writes Torno.
"What better way for parents to feel like they are doing a good job taking care of their offspring, than to show all those around them their chubby kids? then the bad eating habits just take control over the little kid's life and all the adversities obesity brings begin to show up in the kid's life."
The "Bigger is Better" Myth
This point is reinforced by an article in another authoritative source of Hispanic news, Hispanicbusiness.com?
"It doesn't do to tell a mother her chubby baby isn't healthy and to cut the fat early for a lifetime of health.
"We have to change the perceptions of a community where the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles are overweight and don't consider that a problem... We need to help the community see that bigger isn't necessarily better," says the article.
Hispanics are Not Alone
It's worth mentioning that Hispanics are not alone in this. In my home country, South Africa, many of my countrymen and women struggle with obesity and its associated ills, like diabetes and heart disease.
The chief culprit is the readily available processed food and the rapid spread of fast food outlets. The past decade has brought long-awaited political freedom and increasing prosperity. The flipside is a growing obesity problem.
In people for whom poverty and near starvation still loom large, combating the "bigger is better" myth is extremely difficult.
Research into Hispanics and Obesity links
There have also been several academic studies of Hispanics and obesity. A survey conducted in May 2004 for Kellogg by La Opini?n/El Diario de la Prensa Market Research Center, shows Latino families not exercising at recommended levels resulting in rising obesity rates among them.
Hispanics and obesity links are also under the spotlight in a five-year study at the University of Texas at El Paso. UTEP has received a $4.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study and reduce health disparities among Hispanics.
The five-year grant will establish the Center for the Advancement of Minority Health and Health Disparities Research at UTEP. The grant will also help recruit and train faculty and will be used to disseminate research results to the community.
So while its clear that Latino Obesity is a large and growing problem, there is also growing awareness of the problem.
Alan Cooper is a journalist with 20 year's experience and the publisher of ObesityCures.com, a site with the ambitious aim of being a "one-stop-shop" for impartial information on obesity and weight loss solutions - including fad diets, prescription weightloss pills, natural weightloss aides, and the link between fast foods and obesity.
For more on hispanics and obesity, and related issues, including links to the sources quoted in this article, visit http://www.obesitycures.com/hispanics-and-obesity.html
ohare limo service Grand Rapids ..You are going to be pleasantly surprised! Most people think... Read More
Here come the candy canes. In our house, Santa always... Read More
I was so embarrassed for her. After a grueling 45... Read More
The act of taking the first step is what separates... Read More
Hot dang! If a few hundred other folks can peddle... Read More
Maybe you've heard about body dysmorphia ? it's a mental... Read More
I have been seriously working on losing weight for about... Read More
Resistance training, also known as strength training, does not require... Read More
As hoards of low-carb proponents invade the nutritional landscape, the... Read More
A healthy pregnancy almost always involves weight gain. But now... Read More
In order to lose weight, your body must burn more... Read More
As a weight loss mentor it never ceases to amaze... Read More
It seems there are two schools of behavior patients follow... Read More
It comes as a surprise to many consumers that the... Read More
One may think that on a website called "LivingAfterWLS" you... Read More
Not only was I fat, I was in poor health... Read More
It seems like everywhere you turn, there is someone trying... Read More
If you have been dieting and haven't lost weight, stop!... Read More
Everyone is looking for the secret to losing weight. Everyone... Read More
Low carb diets can be classified as food plans that... Read More
I know, I know. What a crazy question!Considering that we've... Read More
What is low carb?We've all heard about the Atkins diet... Read More
It is well known that about two-thirds of the U.S.... Read More
I am so proud of you and your accomplishments. You're... Read More
Fats are always looked at as a negative in a... Read More
executive chauffeured services Barrington Hills ..(But What You Need to Know if You Want to... Read More
Well we're at it again, trying to honor our promise... Read More
I get asked all the time, "what do you think... Read More
These fat burning tips can help you discover a fat... Read More
Who really wants to lose weight? None of us, right?... Read More
If you are looking for a way to lose fifty... Read More
Fasting, when done properly, can be a basic part of... Read More
The words I read made me furious. There it was,... Read More
This little known secret has been used by bodybuilders for... Read More
Can You Lose Weight Where You Want?If you have excess... Read More
There's no way you can separate the Jack LaLanne diet... Read More
"I am going to start a diet tomorrow". How many... Read More
Weight Loss Axiom Number ThreeInsulin and GlucagonThese are the two... Read More
The purpose of this article is not to scrutinize, vilify,... Read More
Dr. Hagglund's Healthy Eating Tips(All wheat products, bananas*, breads, rice,... Read More
One alternative method to traditional and tumescent liposuction is mesotherapy.... Read More
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity... Read More
Diet information is everywhere. In advertisements, on TV, in magazines;... Read More
* Not walking on a treadmill everyday for 45 minutes... Read More
Fat Loss Tip #2) Drink More WaterI know, I know,... Read More
For a healthy body, it is very important to have... Read More
Curb Hunger and Avoid The Costly BingeEveryone's been there -... Read More
Everyone who has ever tried to lose weight has hit... Read More
Many people think obesity means that a person is overweight,... Read More
Trash Your TV! is pleased to announce the easiest weight... Read More
Weight Loss |