How is culture related to obesity?

Acculturation (changes of original cultural patterns of one or more groups when they come into continuous contact with one another) can affect obesity by encouraging the abandonment of traditional beliefs and behaviors that minimize the risk of overweight and the adoption of beliefs and behaviors that increase the risk …

What are some cultural factors that can serve to increase the incidence of obesity?

There are several socio-cultural factors associated with body weight concern, such as nutrition transition, economic status, mass media, globalization, westernization, influence of parents and peer pressure [20] .

Which ethnic group is most likely to experience childhood obesity?

Obesity is more prevalent among American Indian and/or Native Alaskan (31.2%), non-Hispanic black (20.8%), and Hispanic (22.0%) children compared with their white (15.9%) and Asian (12.8%) peers.

Is obesity a cultural issue?

Cultural factors play a role in why some groups of people are more likely to become obese during their lifetime. There are some cultures for example that see being overweight as a sign of affluence because food may be scarce in that region. People who share a cultural background tend to reside in the same neighborhood.

How does race, ethnicity and culture affect childhood obesity?

Influence of Race, Ethnicity, and Culture on Childhood Obesity: Implications for Prevention and Treatment A consensus statement of Shaping America’s Health and the Obesity Society

How does culture play a role in obesity?

Cultural factors play a role in why some groups of people are more likely to become obese during their lifetime. To understand how cultural factors play a role in obesity one has to understand that a culture is a set of rules, learned by sharing experiences, of a certain group of people.

How big is the problem of childhood obesity?

Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States putting children and adolescents at risk for poor health. Obesity prevalence among children and adolescents is still too high. For children and adolescents aged 2-19 years1: The prevalence of obesity was 18.5% and affected about 13.7 million children and adolescents.

How does culture affect the health of children?

Culture. Food is both an expression of cultural identity and a means of preserving family and community unity. While consumption of traditional food with family may lower the risk of obesity in some children (e.g., Asians) ( 52 ), it may increase the risk of obesity in other children (e.g., African Americans) ( 53 ).