Why We Can’t Weight: Obesity Among African-American Children
The Council’s fourth policy research initiative focuses on obesity and, in particular, obesity among black women and children. Although there is extensive research on obesity in general and the contributing factors, there is very little data on the risk factors that contribute to obesity among African Americans and almost no data on childhood obesity among blacks.
As a preventable health condition, the rising obesity rate for blacks is alarming. Blacks also have the highest rates of death from cardiovascular disease and diabetes – diseases all related to obesity. We believe there is an urgent need for more data on obesity in black children so that evidence-based prevention measures can be formulated.
The Council plans to conduct an in-depth study of the interplay of genetics, the environment and social factors related to obesity. We will take a holistic approach that includes quantitative and qualitative data and involves the community in the planning and the data collection. The results of our research will help identify risk factors for obesity among black children, and the types of social interventions that work best in African American communities. We will then recommend policies to alter the growing obesity trend among black children.
