Get started
Work

What's Impacting the Waistinlines of Black Women? An Examination of the Impact of Race and Racism as Contributing Factors to Overweight and Obesity Health Disparities

Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: Compared to other racial and ethnic minority groups, Black women have higher rates of overweight and obesity (OVO). While many reasons exist for these high rates of OVO, this article takes a deeper look into the social determinants of health that contribute to OVO, focusing on the impact of race and racism, while also providing tangible strategies that can help close the health disparity gap. Race and racism have been long standing issues in America, leading to Black women being marginalized and disenfranchised for generations. Due to historical abuses and discriminatory policies, Black women may live in areas that lack access to quality school systems, nutritious food options, culturally competent health care providers, safe housing or greenspace to engage in physical activity, for example. All of which can lead to unhealthy decision making leading to unwanted weight gain and chronic diseases like diabetes or hypertension. Even for affluent and well-educated Black women, the negative impact of racism can still be felt. To combat this problem, action-oriented, forward-thinking solutions need to be implemented at all levels to ensure Black women can live in communities that support healthy decision-making practices. Public Health Practitioners should focus their efforts on advocating and implementing policies that enable Black women to make healthy decisions at all levels, designing and implementing culturally relevant health education and promotion programs and resources that meet the needs of Black women, and training healthcare providers and others to provide culturally competent care and services for Black women to support healthy weight management.
DOI: 10.54111/0001/ii4
Language: English
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4295110152
FWCI:
Cites: 83
Cited by:
Related to: 10