Socioeconomic Status and Prevalence of Obesity and Diabetes in a Mexican American Community, Cameron County, Texas, 2004-2007

 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.