This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Why are we struggling so hard?
GoEven though 70% of our population is overweight, the cat is out of the bag, folks: Black people are in the lead for obesity across racial groups.
Statista: Obesity rates for adults in the United States in 2021 by race/ethnicity”In 2021, black adults had the highest obesity rates of any race or ethnicity in the United States, followed by American Indians/Alaska Natives and Hispanics.
As of that time, around 44 percent of all black adults were obese. Asians/Pacific Islanders had the lowest obesity rates (Source: Statista.”
This graph shows that people of color generally tend to be more overweight – outside of our Asian counterparts, known for culturally and generally leading healthier lifestyles.
African American Women Take The Lead In Obesity
But not only do African-Americans have the highest rates of obesity, four out of five African American women are obese.
“No population in the United States has a higher obesity rate than African American women, four out of five of whom are overweight or obese, according to a […] study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
Black women….we gots to do better.
Some Black Women Will Have Their Whole Look Together, But Be Overweight
Break the stereotype: live a healthier lifestyle
Why? The Common Theme In Black Communities
The obesity issue in African-American communities is complex. It can be attributed to multiple factors outside of the ones listed below, but these still provide a foundation for obesity to thrive in our community:
Lower Income: African Americans sit at the bottom of the economy. The less income you have tends to coincide directly with your health status.
“The common recurring statistic in money circulation within communities, according to the NAACP and other organizations, suggests that the Black dollar is unregulated. Studies say that the average lifespan of the dollar is approximately 28 days in Asian communities, 19 days in Jewish communities, 17 days in white communities – and just six hours in Black communities.”
Delayed gratification is less common in our communities than in others. We tend to de-prioritize saving and investing versus other communities.
De-Prioritization of Self-Care: As a culture, we care more about our outer appearance than our inner health.
Many African-Americans still don’t get their physicals, blood work, and regular doctor visits (which also takes resources, access, and knowledge).
Less Education: African Americans historically are less educated than their white and Asian counterparts.
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We must remember that it wasn’t long ago that African Americans were not allowed to attend colleges that white people attended.
Yes, African Americans could attend college, but those institutions did not offer the same opportunities as segregated schools.
“Washington and Lee University admitted John Chavis, who is noted as the first African American on record to attend college in 1799. However, the first African American to have earned a bachelor’s degree from an American university, Alexander Lucius Twilight, graduated from Middlebury College in 1823 (Department of Education).”
Compared to other communities that always had college access, this is recent.
Three Stats Black People Should Care About
“In Fall 2020, Black students made up 12.5% of all postsecondary enrollment.”
“In 2020, 36% of the 18–24-year-old Black population were enrolled in college compared to 40% of the overall U.S. population.”
“Since Fall 2010, Black student enrollment has declined from 3.04 million to 2.38 million, a 22% decrease.”
Source: The Postsecondary National Policy Institute
Education and higher income do not guarantee a decrease in weight, but they can help. However, we each have to take our health into our hands.
Take Control Of Your Health
Most people throughout my family are overweight. I am one of the few who isn’t, but I’ve also consistently executed three things to help me with this:
I consistently educate myself on matters concerning health.
I prioritized completing my education and consistently read to cultivate my intelligence.
I consistently aim to increase my income, which grants me access to more resources.
All of these actions have helped me lead a healthier lifestyle. The most critical piece is consistent execution. I stay in the gym, consistently eat healthily, get regular check-ups, and prioritize healthy habits over non-healthy ones.
The higher your self-esteem and self-love ratings are, the better you’ll care for your body.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.