Obesity — Racial discrimination has a large impact on black children, reaching beyond psychological and physiological dimensions and perhaps contributing to obesity. Constant discrimination can lead to chronic stress, worry, and despair, which can lead to poor coping strategies. When black children confront racism, they are more prone to use emotional eating as a coping method, which can lead to weight gain and obesity.
Furthermore, in racially segregated communities, limited access to outstanding education, healthcare, and safe recreational areas may limit opportunities for physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices. Furthermore, socioeconomic differences induced by bias may limit access to healthy food options, resulting in a higher reliance on less nutritional, calorie-dense meals.
The combination of these factors creates an unfavorable environment for black children, possibly predisposing them to obesity and other health issues. Addressing racial discrimination, fostering justice, and developing inclusive environments are essential steps toward improving the general health and well-being of black children.
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Extended study on obesity
A new research adds to our understanding of the effects of childhood obesity on children from racial and ethnic minority homes. The research, which was published in JAMA Network Open, discovered that children who encounter racial prejudice are more likely to develop obesity.
One out of every five children in the United States suffers from childhood obesity. Obesity is more common in African-American and Hispanic children. According to NYU, the disproportionate effects might be ascribed to a variety of factors, including:
- Limited access to healthy food
- Poverty
- Living with one parent
“Exposure to racial discrimination must be acknowledged as both a social determinant of obesity and a significant contributor to obesity disparity among children and adolescents,” said Adolfo Cueva, the study’s lead author.
Cuevas’ credentials include his job as an assistant professor of social and behavioral sciences in the School of Global Public Health at New York University. He is also a scholar at the Center for Anti-Racism, Social Justice, and Public Health at the NYU School of Global Public Health.
Indicators and experiences
While other factors (such as money) may enhance the chance of obesity, the study found that racial prejudice is a more important predictor. Furthermore, racial prejudice has been linked to a number of other difficulties, including:
- Declining mental health
- Elevated cortisol levels
- Sleep disturbances
The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development research collected data from 6,463 children (ages 9 to 11) between 2017 and 2019. The children were asked if they had experienced racial prejudice by recalling instances of adverse treatment based on their race or ethnicity. A year later, their BMI and waist circumference were measured.
According to the study, children who experienced more racial discrimination had higher BMIs and broader waist circumferences. Researchers discovered that minimizing childhood exposure to racial discrimination may help avoid long-term weight gain.
“Preventing or at least mitigating the impact of discrimination sooner than later could potentially reduce the risk of obesity,” said Cuevas.
He also emphasized the importance of a coordinated effort to reduce obesity by establishing anti-racial discrimination measures.
Addressing overall racial discrimination
Last month, Vice President Kamala Harris sought to address racial and ethnic disparities in home values for people of color.
The regulation, according to the White House, will ensure fair algorithms from financial institutions while increasing transparency to improve enforcement against evaluation bias. The measures would allow Black and brown families to reap the financial rewards of homeownership, thus closing the racial wealth gap.
“We are also releasing the guidance to make it easier for consumers to appeal what they suspect to be unbiased valuations,” said Harris.
“Millions rely on the equity in their homes to put their children through college, to fund a startup, to retire with dignity, to create intergenerational prosperity and wealth. We also know for generations many people of color have been prevented from taking full advantage of the benefits of homeownership.”
According to the vice president, around 5% of home appraisers are people of color. With the legislation in place, more focus is being placed on subjects such as creating chances for underrepresented groups to enter the appraisal profession.
“Today’s announcement builds on ongoing efforts by the PAVE (Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity Task) Force to create a more representative and well-trained appraiser workforce,” Harris continued.
“Earlier this year, the PAVE Task Force issued a letter to the Appraisal Foundation (TAF) urging it to find meaningful solutions to the experience, education, and examination requirements that exceed most industry standards and are not linked to evidence showing how they produce better, more accurate appraisals.”
