MinorityNurse.com

 

Childhood obesity

I am posting the following commentary on behalf of five nursing students:

As nursing students nearing the end of our educational journey, we found it fitting to take a moment to contribute to these discussions on social and cultural issues within the field of nursing. Let us first thank the editors of and contributors to Minority Nurse that have created such a wonderful forum to facilitate open discussion about the issues facing minority nurses and minority health. Through this commentary, we hope to add to the discussion about childhood obesity within the Hispanic community and to encourage others to also contribute to this discussion – whether it be through your suggestions for us, through your taking a moment to spark change and discussion within your own communities, or simply through your thoughtful consideration.
As nurses concerned with the health issues of minority groups in the United States, we may not be surprised to hear about the alarming statistics on obesity rates in the general population and in various ethnic groups. The epidemic of childhood obesity has also received much attention of late – for instance, through Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative – however, the unique needs and circumstances of Hispanic children deserve greater attention. Hispanic adolescents have the highest prevalence of being overweight in the United States, and, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Hispanic preschoolers have more than double the risk of being overweight compared to their non-Hispanic counterparts. This is especially significant given the fast growing nature of the Hispanic population within the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Hispanic population is expected to reach 102.6 million by 2050, an increase of 188%. We know about the serious health risks that accompany being overweight or obese (such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease), and these statistics demand our attention.
Some of the factors that research has identified as contributing the prevalence of obesity among Hispanic children include the following: low socioeconomic status, insufficient physical activity, cultural perceptions of appropriate feeding practices for children, overweight status of parents, degree of acculturation and mother’s perception of overweight. In designing interventions for these children and their parents, it is crucial that the unique social and cultural circumstances be taken into consideration. Applying a one-size-fits-all approach is not likely to succeed. Accordingly, approaches that understand the challenges and strengths of Hispanic families may prove to be most effective. For instance, knowing that many Hispanic people are very family-oriented and are typically religious, starting church-centered health promotion programs could be a way to provide customized care. Volunteering in community or church-run programs could not only help the children and parents served, but could also help us to better understand the unique needs of Hispanic families – something which we could apply throughout our lives and practice.