Obesity has been an ongoing issue for decades and it is considered an epidemic in the United States. Obesity is when an adult has a BMI of 30 or greater.
Bodyweight is the result of several factors such as overeating, lack of physical activity, genetics, culture, and metabolism.
The obesity in Hispanics comes with culture.
The type of food Hispanics eat can be greasy with high sodium and high fats.
Some of the greasy with high fats foods in the Hispanic culture are:
- Tacos
- Burritos
- Refried Beans
- Empanadas
- Tortillas
- Chille Rellenos
These high on fat foods are commonly seen in a Hispanic household, causing the increase of obesity in adults and children.
Among Hispanic American women, 78.8 percent are overweight or obese, as compared to 64 percent of non-Hispanic white women.
Hispanic Americans were 1.2 times more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic whites, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Health and Services.
The adult obesity rates were over 35% in five states, which included some of the Latino population.
- West Virginia (1.37% Latino population; had the highest rate in the country at 37.7%.)
- Mississippi (2.9% Latino)
- Alabama (4% Latino)
- Arkansas (6.9% Latino)
- Tennessee (5% Latino).
Living in a Hispanic household can be nearly impossible to lose weight or eat healthy. The food the culture brings can be tempting and impossible to pass out on.
What the Hispanic community can do is promote healthy weight loss. The older generation of the Hispanic community tends to cook more with lard rather than vegetable oil, butter, or olive oil.
Hispanics can still enjoy pan dulce and tacos as long as there is physical activity involved.
Walking for 30 minutes a day everyday can help with burning calories, staying in touch with a physical sport such as soccer can keep cardio going as well.
The stigma of Hispanics being obese or overweight can be changed without changing the culture. All it takes is motivation.
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