Why are so many African American Females Overweight/Obese?

Question

http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/race_class/othergirlsstuff.html

The link shows the proof for all those who will say, "I see more mexican woman who are fat" or "stupid question." bottom line is i take public transport in chicago and more times than not when a black female sits next to me on the train, she is overweight/obese! more so than any other s*x or race as pr oven by the stats that i so kindly linked for the doubters. They take up their entire seat and mine too! it's so annoying. And they can't help it because they are so large.

My question is, why? Why are African American women so obese/overweight? Is it in their make up? We need to find out why if we want to change things for the better.

Is it a lack of discipline or other character deficiencies that are to blame for the reason as to why nearly 70% of ALL african american women being overweight/obese?

Answer 1

I didn't check the link as no one single source has ever made me come to a conclusion. I read a lot before I make up my mind. But, obesity is a problem throughout America...not with just black women. As for the differences...they do have one WONDERFUL difference that I am truly jealous of, having curves is 100% acceptable to them! This is also why a lot of black women are confident--they feel beautiful despite what mainstream media is cranking out. (not all, but I have heard this from many black women) As for why they may be overweight, it could be medical, genetic, anything...what I do know is you voicing your opinion on it was no solution, just a problem.

Answer 2

partly b/c of diet, or "soul food", which has a lot of starch and fat and not enough proteins and vitamins. i'm 118 lbs., by the way, so all of us aren't fat.

Answer 3

I am a black female. I am not overweight, I am 5'7 157 lbs. Let me also mention that the black males in my life treat me very well. Including my biological father, who is still married to my mother, has been in my life since I was BORN. So don't you dare generalize.

Answer 4

Wow...my first reaction is to say that I wouldn't want to touch this question with a ten foot pole...

But I would like to say that there are many overweight/obese people that are very happy with who they are, and they feel beautiful and s**y and don't want anyone to "fix this problem" as they do not see it as a problem.

And there are many African American men, and men of other race/ethnicity that are extremely attracted to big women.

But there is some idea that, yes, these women are more likely to have it in their genes to be able to gain and retain weight more easily than others, and they have a harder time losing it. But that is not all of them, mind you.

And what about the fact that many Spanish women are overweight as well? What do you say about that.

The answer here is as simple as two words: culture and poverty

Both A.A.s and hispanics tend to eat cultural foods (and grew up eating them) that aren't the kindest to their hips/thighs etc. And let's face it, these foods are really yummy.

Poverty takes it's toll as well. You, yourself, mentioned that you saw these big women on the bus...Have you ever seen these women at a big meeting table in a corporate office? Because there are plenty of Hispanic and AA women there that are fit.

Studies show that impoverished women who live in cities and have no transportation of their own (even with the aid of WIC and/or food stamps) tend to do most of their grocery shopping at convenience stores and minimarts because there is nothing closer/within walking distance of their place.

Also, all those ultra healthy and organic foods are pricey. A big brick of free cheese from WIC and a giant bag of cheap rice is a lot cheaper than a lot of fresh produce and will feed them and their kids for days. But no, it isn't healthy.

Hope I lent a little insight.

Answer 5

i know that some who live in bad neighborhoods dont have access to groccery stores. sometimes you have to drive atleast an hour to get to one. i guesse its because grocery store owners dont want to set up their buisness in the middle of a bad neighborhood. so the only acess to food is supermarkets, which usually dont contain helthy foods. my friend also told me that in her old neighborhood, it was easier to find a gun than a raw tomatoe!!  

Answer 6

I don't give a darn about your faux stats and yellow journalism. You act as if no one else but black women are fat???? Please!   Why don't you come to the Pacific Northwest where I live and you'll see with your own two eyes there are plenty of fat white women, especially in Portland.

I am sick of people coming here to yahoo!answers and posting pseudo-questions that are basically insulting and demeaning.  Why are people constantly declaring open season on us black women and picking on us and acting as though somehow we are not worthy of respect or love simply because we are not thin! It's ridiculous.

I happen to be a larger sized black woman....at 47 years old,  5'7" and 235 lbs, yes, I am large by most standards. However, I am not making any sort of excuses for it, nor am I apologizing.  Also, I am not asking for your "forgiveness" nor do I have any need whatsoever of your "intervention" in any way, shape or form...especially when your type of "intervention" is motivated by sizism or racism or straight out hate as this clearly is.

I can assure you that despite being large, I am decidedly healthy and fit...and that is by my doctor's definition!  In fact, I am healthier and more fit than I was 20 years ago and and 100 lbs lighter (and I'm sure am less stressed out from so much stuff...except when haters like you write c**p what I read here!)  At my last physical this past February...My vital signs were fine...in fact my bad cholestrol had dropped 41 points...and I only lost 5 lbs in the past 6 months!  I exercise EVERYDAY because I commute to work via bicycle 3 1/2 each way from my home and back...in fact, I sold my car last year to facilitate this, and I also do Middle Eastern dance as well as aerobics and working with 5 lbs weights.  My regular diet does NOT consist of so-called "soul food" and I don't like fast food at all.  I tend to lean more toward vegetarian cuisine. I rarely drink alcoholic beverages, and I don't like soda pop at all!  It's mainly water, tea or coffee for me.

Also, my self-esteem is just fine, thank you very much. I have friends, a loving family AND a boyfriend who for the past 7 years who thinks the world of me and tells me so...and for him, I do not have to look like Malibu Barbie in order to get his attention....

and speaking of Malibu, I travel there yearly and I've found out to my great surprise and pleasure that you don't have to look like Pamela Anderson or Paris Hilton to get admiration from the men there, either.  Imagine that? ME? A fat, black woman with short natural hair getting flirted with in the land of the thin, tall, botoxed, longhaired blondes?  Yeah, baby, that is 100% truth...whether you want to believe it or not!

Change me for the better? Honey, I got it pretty darn good now...and am thankful for that!

Sooo...here's a few questions for you...Mr. White, Skinny and Self-righteous to boot:

Why are you so damned concerned about how much I or any other black woman weighs..as if somehow that is the unpardonable sin?

Never mind the REAL troublemakers in the world...the drug dealers, murderers, gangbangers, child molesters, and international terrorists...let's go get that fat black chick whose minding her own business and not hurting anyone!!! HUMPH.

and who are you to try to change anyone else anyway????

Why don't you work on yourself first...and start with losing the sanctimonious and prejudicial attitude!!!

Answer 7

I would agree with the other answers, the soul food and poverty are main reasons. However, other studies have shown (sorry don't have links) that people who live in poverty are less likely to eat healthy. Poverty comes in all different races not just black. Poor people can't afford gym memberships. People who are better off or wealthy tend to eat healthier and take care of themselves. It doesn't have much to do with the way black men treat us. I have a black husband who is just awesome. Women of all different races are treated horribly by men.  

Answer 8

Genetics

Answer 9

I think its the way you are raised

not many african american families teach the importance of eating healthy so as a kid you dont really know whats good for you

and then when you grow into an adult your so used to it you dont care to change

and NOT ALL african americans are FAT

Answer 10

Like the first answer stated the so called "soul food", Fried chicken, mac and cheese, etc.I live in south where mostly the overweight/obese people are. But there also white women, mexican, and blacks that fit into your question. But black men have nothing to do with it. Your question switch from been proper question to being stupid when you stated lack esteem from black men.  That statement needs to be deleted.  

By the way can we please get off the whole "Big Bone" theory. It's not true, unless you are Shaq or Yi Min.

Answer 11

Do you realize that being obese is only being 30 pounds overweight?  A lot of people fit into that category no matter what their color.  

Answer 12

70% without a father? That's pure bullsh*t, so disregard that. Every black person isn't interviewed, and asked if there is a father in the child's life.

But, anyways, another thing is that black and white people have different views on "fat". Black people call it thick, and trust me black men love a thick woman, so that ain't the reason. You can blame it on the foods, and of the different views of what is obese.