In the 21st Century, obesity has become an epidemic, and obesity in non-white, non-European ancestry in the United States is a major problem. It is estimated that more than 40 million Americans are obese, with three million morbidly obese, and childhood obesity is on the rise, especially among minorities. The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reveals that "ethnic minority children in the United States are at particular risk for development of cardiovascular disease due to their disproportionate levels of obesity" (Davis et al, 2000, 128-129). Obesity is the most frequent disease of children and young adults. Obese children are seriously overweight as a result of having too much body fat (BMI greater than 30).
"Among children aged six to 11, obesity has increased 54 percent since 1960 with a 40 percent increase among adolescents 12 to 17 years of age" (Obesity Now Number One Disease in US Children, Young Adults). While obesity among adults has doubled since 1980, overweight among adolescents has tripled (Overweight & Obesity in the US). The number of overweight and obese has increased in all races, ethnic and age groups. However, obesity in minority children ûAfrican American, Hispanic, Native American ûis increasing at greater rates. This paper will discuss obesity in minority children, its effects, and suggested interventions that can help stem the rapid growth of obesity.
Some studies indicate that while obesity is rapidly rising in poorer populations, its growth is twice as much in minorities compared to Caucasians. "The highest rates are observed in Hispanics, Native American children, and especially in African American girls" (Crawford et al., 2002, pp.2-4). A study of Navajo adolescents, for example, reveals that, "33 percent of girls and 25 percent of boys were obese, about twice the expected number" (Obesity in Navajo Adolescents). Another study of obesity in ethnic groups indicates that non-Hisp...