Overweight and Obesity Among Adults in the US Essay

Overweight and Obesity Among Adults in the US - Essay Example The statistics mentioned in this essay represents the rate of obesity in the United States according to statistics of 2010 among adults who are 20 and older (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 2012). It can be seen that rate of obesity is relatively higher in ethnic groups as compared to Whites in different categories of obesity. If analyzed in the light of causes mentioned above, it can be seen that ethnic groups have relatively lower access to a healthy lifestyle. Prime reasons of it can be less income, residence in the neighborhoods where availability of healthy food and fresh produce is not possible and other social and cultural factors leading to obesity (Centers of Disease Control & Prevention, 2013). In addition to that, ethnic groups like African Americans and Hispanics have cultural preferences for larger portions and family meals contributing to the overall increase in weight (Lutfiyya, Garcia, Dankwa, Young & Lipsky, 2008). As far as sedentar y lifestyle is concerned, the rate of multiple jobs is higher in ethnic groups requiring more time to be spent on job curtailing the rate of physical activity. Furthermore, low median income groups also sustain lower access to nutritional food due to increasing cost of fresh edible items and also easy availability of junk food (Lutfiyya, Garcia, Dankwa, Young & Lipsky, 2008). The higher rate of both parents employment is also present in ethnic minorities which also makes utilization of junk food a viable option. Furthermore, deprived neighborhoods also have the poor infrastructure in which recreational spaces are also limited. A considerable amount of research also indicates that individuals from ethnic groups are more susceptible to mental conditions like clinical depression which is more likely to trigger binge eating (Fuchs, 2011). Research also states that factors such as commercialism on food, increased screen time and complex work arrangements are likely to affect ethnic minor ities more as compared to Whites.