The Fight Against Obesity in Black Kids

Obesity is a severe, life-threatening issue of grave concern, particularly in the Black community, where some cultures mistake being overweight as a sign of good health, especially in children. According to a 2011 report in the National Library of Medicine, Blacks are less likely to accept they are obese. They either underestimate it or celebrate it.

This report reminds me of Bobo, the son of a very close neighbor in my community. Bobo was a big child; he was way bigger than his mates before he turned two. He became a child celeb, and most people wanted to carry him to feel his weight. His parents were often praised for feeding him well. Many mothers usually asked Bobo’s mother for her “special recipe” so their infants could look as big as her son.

Unfortunately, Bobo didn’t live long enough to celebrate his 3rd birthday because while he was praised for being a big child, he was dying slowly. We lost him to fatty liver disease caused by complications from obesity.

Like Bobo, 24.8% of Black children in the US suffer from obesity, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This figure is higher when compared to most ethnic groups in the US.

Obesity has been linked to individual behaviors and choices, such as dietary habits, physical activities, stress, poor sleep quality, smoking, and not taking prescribed medications for weight management. Determining the root causes is difficult because obesity cuts across social, economic, and environmental factors. This chronic disease is also known to cause high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and heart disease. Therefore, all hands must be on deck to eradicate it.

This article will cover the reasons obesity is more common among Black children, why the disease has lingered in our community, and the way forward.

Why Obesity Lingers Among Black Children

According to a report from Minority Health, in 2019, 27.2% of female Black children between the ages of 6 and 11 years were obese compared to white children, who had just 12.6%. The gap is more than double. This figure begs the question, why is obesity higher in Blacks as compared to whites? Some may think the answer to this question lies only in the children’s diet. However, the problem of obesity is more deep-rooted.

A 2022 report by the National Library of Medicine states that maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index was found to be responsible for weight gain among Black children

Two separate reports from Harvard Medical School and Corewell Health agree that genes children inherit from their parents are another cause of obesity

The University of Florida Health and BetterHealth Channel reported that the food Black parents give to their children is also responsible for obesity

There are other reasons why obesity has lingered in our community. However, if the three issues presented in these reports are well addressed, there will be a drastic reduction of Black children battling with obesity.

The Way Forward: Steps to Ensure a Healthy Weight for Black Children

Mothers can work on their maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index when pregnant. According to a 2022 UNICEF report, pregnant women who eat the right food proportions are less likely to gain excessive weight during pregnancy.

To avoid a repeat of Bobo’s case, mothers must make inevitable sacrifices when pregnant. You should:

Eat a balanced diet that focuses on fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats;
Stay hydrated;
Exercise regularly;
Monitor your weight gain;
Take your prenatal vitamins

According to Medical News Today, if two parents are obese, their children are 6 times more likely to be obese, and if it is one parent, the chances are 3 times. Parents with this condition should teach and train their children to do physical activities, get enough sleep, manage stress, reduce screen time, and go for check-ups and counseling. The Centers for Disease Control recommends this.

Harvard School of Public Health also recommends that children who are obese or have a tendency to be obese should avoid foods that contain saturated fats and salt. Rather, they should eat foods rich in fruits, seafood, legumes, whole grains, and vegetables.

Building an Obese-Free Black Community Through Our Children

Obesity is gradually tilting toward becoming a pandemic in the Black community, and we need to take action and address this issue now. As a mother, my first point of blame for any child who is obese is the parents. We are responsible for the choices our children make from infancy to adulthood. It is, therefore, our duty to ensure they eat right and stay healthy.

Parents and guardians need to take this seriously and help our children. It starts with pregnancy and continues until they are adults, fit to make their own health decisions. If we can get it right from our homes, we can start to insist that our government consolidate our efforts.

Elevate Black Health recommends that people with a family history of obesity or those struggling with an obese infant should see a medical professional to get the necessary help. A healthy, obese-free Black community is possible but it begins at home.

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