KeralaClick.com |

Hispanics and Obesity - The Worrying Truth



What is the link between Hispanics and obesity? Are people of Hispanic origin more prone to obesity than others?

Respected Hispanic trend watcher Jaun G Tornoe feels there is enough anecdotal and scientific data supporting the link between Hispanics and obesity to raise warning flags?

One of the culprits he identifies is the huge choice of cheap, fast food and sugary drinks on offer to newly arrived Latino immigrants, many of whom come from extremely deprived backgrounds?

Fast Foods and Obesity - a Warning From a Friend...

In a recent blog, Tornoe recounts how, as a new immigrant himself, a friend had warned him of this danger...

"(He) told me right after I moved into the U.S. to be careful with the junk food... He noticed that many new immigrants went crazy with the excessive food offerings this country offers.

"If they are not careful, they will watch their waistline be a victim of over choice in just a couple of months."

Victims of Good Intentions...

Second and third generation Hispanic families are also at risk. Ironically, they're largely victims of their parents' good intentions.

"Generally speaking, back in Latin America, a chubby baby or little kid is the obvious sign of healthiness (compared with the unfortunate scars malnutrition leaves on many persons South of the Border)," writes Torno.

"What better way for parents to feel like they are doing a good job taking care of their offspring, than to show all those around them their chubby kids? then the bad eating habits just take control over the little kid's life and all the adversities obesity brings begin to show up in the kid's life."

The "Bigger is Better" Myth

This point is reinforced by an article in another authoritative source of Hispanic news, Hispanicbusiness.com?

"It doesn't do to tell a mother her chubby baby isn't healthy and to cut the fat early for a lifetime of health.

"We have to change the perceptions of a community where the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles are overweight and don't consider that a problem... We need to help the community see that bigger isn't necessarily better," says the article.

Hispanics are Not Alone

It's worth mentioning that Hispanics are not alone in this. In my home country, South Africa, many of my countrymen and women struggle with obesity and its associated ills, like diabetes and heart disease.

The chief culprit is the readily available processed food and the rapid spread of fast food outlets. The past decade has brought long-awaited political freedom and increasing prosperity. The flipside is a growing obesity problem.

In people for whom poverty and near starvation still loom large, combating the "bigger is better" myth is extremely difficult.

Research into Hispanics and Obesity links

There have also been several academic studies of Hispanics and obesity. A survey conducted in May 2004 for Kellogg by La Opinión/El Diario de la Prensa Market Research Center, shows Latino families not exercising at recommended levels resulting in rising obesity rates among them.

Hispanics and obesity links are also under the spotlight in a five-year study at the University of Texas at El Paso. UTEP has received a $4.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study and reduce health disparities among Hispanics.

The five-year grant will establish the Center for the Advancement of Minority Health and Health Disparities Research at UTEP. The grant will also help recruit and train faculty and will be used to disseminate research results to the community.

So while its clear that Latino Obesity is a large and growing problem, there is also growing awareness of the problem.

Alan Cooper is a journalist with 20 year's experience and the publisher of ObesityCures.com, a site with the ambitious aim of being a "one-stop-shop" for impartial information on obesity and weight loss solutions - including fad diets, prescription weightloss pills, natural weightloss aides, and the link between fast foods and obesity.

For more on hispanics and obesity, and related issues, including links to the sources quoted in this article, visit http://www.ObesityCures.com/hispanics-and-obesity.html


MORE RESOURCES:

Teen weight loss program shows some benefit
Reuters
By Kerry Grens | NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A low-key, long term approach to teen weight loss produced modest benefits in a clinical trial, Australian researchers report, though a version of the program that added texts and emails didn't help kids ...

and more »


For weight loss, cutting back on calories matters most | Timi Gustafson
Tukwila Reporter
There is no real evidence that low-carb, low-fat or high-protein diets make as big a difference as overall calorie reduction when it comes to weight loss, according to Dr. George Bray who worked on the study. “Earlier research had found that certain ...

and more »


Choose a Medical Weight Loss Center with a Superior Safety Track Record
MarketWatch (press release)
Dr. Feiz & Associates is a widely respected source for weight loss in Los Angeles, not just because of their success rate, but also because of their enduring commitment to the highest safety standards. Dr. Michael Feiz and his team have never had a ...

and more »


Ninemsn

Beyoncé's post-baby body is hers -- not ours
The Grio
"A lot of postpartum weight loss has to do with genes or the individual woman. Some women will look like they were never pregnant shortly after delivery, while others will struggle with weight loss," said theGrio.com's health editor Dr. Tyeese Gaines.
Beyonce's Amazing Baby Weight LossExaminer.com

all 391 news articles »


PRunderground

Hypnosis For Weight Loss Has Hypnotherapist Doctor Busy In New York & Connecticut
PRunderground
Dr Ellyn Gamberg is a hypnosis for weight loss hypnotherapist in New York and Connecticut. Yesterday on his show Dr. Oz put that idea in the minds of millions of Americans. People all over Europe have been saying for years that Virtual Gastric Banding ...
Health: Hypnosis Lap Band, A Non-Invasive Way To Lose WeightCBS Local

all 3 news articles »


HealthJockey.com

New weight loss techniques could be used as alternatives to liposuction
HealthJockey.com
Most people would agree that getting rid of stubborn body fat can be a tough row to hoe. New techniques involving fat removal technologies that are regarded as non-invasive are coming forth, report scientists from the American Academy of Dermatology.

and more »


FHN to offer personalized weight loss program
Freeport Journal-Standard
By Karen Eisenhauer FHN is offering the personalized weight loss class, "Create Your Weight" from 4-5 pm Feb. 20 at FHN hospital, 1045 W. Stephenson St., Freeport. The class offers a personal weight reduction plan developed and led by registered ...

and more »


Houston Weight Loss Surgeons Discuss How to Choose the Right Bariatric Practice
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Drs. Yu and Scarborough discuss key aspects to look for in a practice before undergoing a weight loss procedure such as gastric plication to help improve results and get patients back on track towards leading a healthier life.

and more »


Weight Loss Rules You're Allowed to Break
FitSugar.com (blog)
Even though there are some very specific guidelines that can help you reach your goal faster, there's no one-size-fits-all weight-loss plan for everyone. Here are five rules you can bend and still drop pounds from the scale.
Ask the Diet Doctor: How Many Calories Should I Eat to Lose Weight?Shape Magazine

all 3 news articles »


Mother Nature Network (blog)

Weight loss: A possible benefit of the recession?
Mother Nature Network (blog)
Evidently there is some evidence pointing towards a link between an economic recession and weight loss. While one of the Freakonomics co-authors, Stephen Dubner, thought that the recession would lead to weight gains because people would head for fast ...

and more »

Google News

Google
home | site map
© KeralaClick.com 2006