Socio-economic Barriers to Change: Obesity

Introduction

Childhood obesity is a significant healthcare issue in America today. The problem has
almost tripled over the last thirty years. As a result, the US has higher obesity rates than many
nations worldwide. Statistics indicate that three out of 10 children are overweight or obese, while
two out of 12 are obese (Fryar et al., 2018). The problem is associated with numerous health
issues and diseases. It may affect different body systems like puberty, blood sugar control
hormones, digestive system (tract), kidneys, bones and muscles, lungs, heart, and circulatory
system. Additionally, a person's social life tends to suffer from obesity. Victims may have
reduced self-esteem due to the stigmatization of teenagers and kids. Obesity in childhood has
been marked as one of the most threatening situations in the country, and the problem and its
effects are likely to persist when one transits into an adult. Kids struggling with this obesity in
America are around 15 million. These people will be adults at one point, thus straining society
and the country's healthcare system. In his research, Pianin (2015) insists that it costs
approximately $100,000 to care for an obese individual, an immensely more enormous amount
than the one related to normal individuals. People facing obesity, especially children, may
require adjustments and reforms to help them receive the most positive results for a healthier
lifestyle.

Barriers to Change

Since the causes of obesity are intricate and multifaceted, there is no clear-cut
relationship between ethnicity and obesity. Because people from diverse ethnic groups may have
different beliefs, values, and practices, race can be a barrier to change. As a result, it may be
challenging for individuals from various racial or cultural backgrounds to comprehend and

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embrace novel concepts or methods. Nevertheless, researchers have gone the extra mile to reveal
that some ethnic and racial groups in the US have higher obesity rates than others. For instance,
non-Hispanic African American grown-ups are roughly 1.9 times as likely to present obesity as
non-Hispanic whites (grown-ups) (Fryar, 2018).
Similarly, non-Hispanic whites are 1.6 times less likely to present obesity than their
Hispanic counterparts (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)). Moreover, 2.5 times
as many Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiian people have some form of obesity than non-
Hispanic whites. Researchers have unearthed numerous reasons behind the existence of these
differences. Lieb et al.'s (2009) study indicate that they might be partially caused by variations in
dietary and lifestyle practices among various ethnic and racial clusters. On the other hand,
Williams et al. (2018) hypothesized that such socio-economic issues as poverty and hunger
might be at play. Still, Longmire-Avital & McQueen (2019) quickly discovered that prejudice
and racism could instigate extreme stressful situations among individuals at the receiving end. In
turn, the rising stress levels are a significant cause of obesity and weight gain.
Compared to kids from the white race, over 17% of Hispanic youngsters are fat. Pulgarón
et al. (2013) indicate that the cultural belief that being "larger" equates to being healthy may
impact childhood obesity among Hispanic youngsters. The definition of "healthier" eating varies
significantly between societies. Individuals with Hispanic heritage generally consume more
carbohydrates daily as a result of their ability to cook huge food quantities at a cheap rate, such
as tortillas, beans, and rice. Spanish families believed that being obese or enormous is "beautiful"
while associating that a thin person is sick," according to a study done among Spanish and
White parents (Sonneville et al., 2009). Most whites still value physical size as a sign of beauty
but think it's okay for kids to eat packaged foods in moderation. In such a scenario, their long-

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term health is compromised because packaged foods constitute more GMO (genetically modified
organisms) substances than the staple most preferred among Hispanics.
While there are visible efforts to change the obesity situation in the country, the challenge
of economic status seems to create a significant barrier. Individuals who are economically
disadvantaged and those with reduced salaries may lack the means essential to bring about
change. They can also be more

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