Childhood Obesity among Hispanic Adolescent

Childhood Obesity among Hispanic Adolescent
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Childhood Obesity among Hispanic Adolescents
Introduction
Inequalities in the quality of health care received, access to health care, and opportunities to decide where the individuals work, live, play, and learn all constitute to increased obesity rates among Hispanic adolescents. Also constituting to the increased obesity rates is the fact that Hispanics live in dangerous neighborhoods that make outdoor activities difficult, cannot easily access healthy, affordable food, targeted marketing of less nutritious foods, and culture significantly contributes to obesity among Hispanic adolescents. In the United States, the Hispanic population is the fastest growing. It is estimated that by 2030, virtually one in three children will be Hispanic. Thus, addressing these disparities is essential to health promotion.
Description of the Topic
Currently, obesity is a serious public health concern. Obesity among adolescents has doubled in the past thirty years. The highest prevalence is found among Hispanics. Being obese places adolescents at risk of chronic diseases like coronary heart disease, depression, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. Additionally, these conditions have high chances of progressing into adulthood and can be more severe. Addressing childhood obesity among Hispanic adolescents is essential for the well-being of individuals.
Statistical Overview
Twenty-one point four percent of Hispanic children aged between two and nine years are obese, compared to fourteen point three percent of White children (Ogden et al., 2016). More than thirty-nine percent of Hispanic children are obese compared to twenty-eight point five percent of White children. Rates of extreme obesity (BMI above one-hundred and twenty percent of the height and weight percentile for an age range) are also higher among Hispanic children aged between two to nineteen years (six point six percent) compared to (three point nine percent) with White children (Skinner et al., 2016). The obesity rates among Hispanic children are much higher beginning at a young age – for two to five-year-olds, the rates are four times those of Whites (sixteen point four percent compared to three point five percent), (Skinner et al., 2016). By ages, six to eleven, twenty-six point one percent of Hispanic adolescents are obese compared to thirteen point one percent of Whites. Virtually three-quarters of variances between White and Hispanic children happen by third grade (Lo et al., 2014).
Definition of Obesity
Obesity is defined as excessive or abnormal fat accumulation that poses a risk to an individual’s health (Skinner et al., 2016). In the United States, a child is considered obese if their BMI (Body Mass Index) is above ninety-five percent. Healthy People 2020 and Adolescent Health has identified adolescent obesity as one of the leading health indicators (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2014).
Relation of Project to the chosen 2020 Area
This project relates to the chosen 2020 area as it seeks to promote health and decrease chronic disease risk among Hispanic adolescents through th...