Is there a link between race and obesity? Often questions like these can be a difficult
subject to approach due to mixed emotions of the incorporation of race into the
discussion. While it is important to
acknowledge that factors such as race, socioeconomic status, sex and others can
often be linked to certain diseases, it is important to understand that just
because one may be a part of different groups does not necessarily mean they
will develop a particular disease.
According to research
in Cameron County, Mexican Americans are at increased risk for obesity and
diseases linked to obesity. The purpose
of the study was to determine whether there is a relationship between economic
status and health. Scientists randomly
selected 810 Mexican American individuals to study between the ages of 35 to 64
years old. Using the subjects’ weight
measurements and other markers of health such as glucose levels along with
surveying the subjects socioeconomic status, results showed that people who
hold higher socioeconomic status, with an annual income of $24,067 to $31,747,
are less likely to have undiagnosed diabetes than people who hold lower
socioeconomic status, with an annual income of $17,830 or less . Unfortunately in Cameron County, the majority
of Mexican Americans in the community hold lower socioeconomic statuses and
report that they do not have health insurance. Not having health insurance decreases people’s
visits to doctors resulting in them not receiving the necessary health
check-ups and healthcare that they need.
Less than one fourth of the
participants in the study reported having health insurance. 1 out of 10 participants in the lower
socioeconomic group found that they had undiagnosed diabetes.
Below is a graph that displays the research findings in
Cameron County revealing a correlation between age, socioeconomic status and
percentage of participants with diabetes.
The research findings in Cameron County suggest that the
Mexican American community is struggling with a health battle consisting of
obesity and undiagnosed diabetes. Lack
of resources and funding is continuing to hinder this population and in result
is affecting their health. With proper monitoring,
medicine, daily exercise, and a well-balanced diet, diabetics can poetically live
a long and healthy life; without proper diagnosis and treatment, further health
problems can occur and life span can decrease.
Fisher-Hoch SP, Rentfro AR, Salinas JJ, Pérez A, Brown HS,
Reininger BM, et al. (2010). Socioeconomic Status and Prevalence of Obesity and
Diabetes in a Mexican American community, Cameron County, Texas, 2004-2007.
Prev Chronic Dis 2010;7(3). http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2010/may/09_0170.htm.
Accessed January 27, 2013.
I enjoyed reading this post/the questions and results posed by the article. You did a really nice job of analyzing the visual material provided. I feel like there is definitely a link between obesity and income, but do you think that this trend is directly tied to race as well? There is no mention of any data about other races and their income/health problems, thus I feel like this article more appropriately adresses the correlation between income and health issues rather than health issues and race.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I agree with Michael. I know there is correlation between minorities and lower levels of income and correlation between lowers level of income and disease. It would have been interesting to see comparisons of the rates of diabetes/disease between other races as well. Otherwise, I feel like the relationship between race and disease is more associative data than anything else.
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