Why are so many Black women overweight?

I simply cannot hold my tongue and bite my lip any longer without expressing a growing concern of mine for African American women. Traditionally, culturally, genetically and for socio-economic reasons, African American women have the highest percentage rates of obesity. Verily, verily I say unto you African American Women, this is not an attack on Black Women, but a mere honest observation and assessment. And at this stage, I cannot help but to be brutally honest by keeping it real.

Upon a closer look at the media, social networks, the pews and choir stands of Americas Black churches, college campuses, the work place, the mall, the grocery store you will find a rather startling number of Black women who are overweight. Looking through photos of Black women on social networks, I am dismayed to see so many who are overweight and obsess. I ask myself why are so many Black women overweight? It is seldom that I come across women of my race and age who are fit and have their weight under control. What disturbs me is seeing so many Black women overweight, obese and morbidly obese.

African American women have the highest rates of being overweight and or obese compared to other ethnic groups in the U.S. An alarming statistic shows that 4 out of 5 African American women are overweight or obese. Findings by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that half of all Black women are overweight and 1 out of 2, age 40 and over are obese. These are astonishing statistics for Black women.

"Soul Food"

Traditionally, in the Black community there are several factors that fuel this growing trend and debate. “Soul Food” has long been a main stay where there are family gatherings, celebrations, holidays, get-together’s, after church supper and nightly meals etc. Preparing and eating food has long been a tradition in the Black family. Great grandmother’s recipes have been handed down from generation to generation rich with fat, sugar, salt, and loaded with calories and carbs. These long held traditions have lead to obesity among African American women. And just keeping it real, sistah’s love to get their “eat on.” There also is a socio-economic component to consider. Low income households are more likely to spend on fast-food and unhealthy food more so than on healthy food consisting of fruits, vegetables lean meats and fish.

Many Black women hold a belief that a “thick sistah” is a more appealing sistah to a Black Man which is a cultural derivative. Black men in general do desire a little junk in the trunk, some meat on the bones and more cushion for the pushing if you please. The so-called curvy, thick, stacked, BBW, “Big Beautiful Woman”, fat and fabulous and big girls are labels that are affectionately given to overweight and obese women. Genetically speaking, African American women have wider hips, thicker thighs and bigger behinds. This is simply how our Creator created the Black female race. Traditionally, going back generations the so-called “Big Mama”, was a Black woman who was large and in-charge in matriarchal households. So we have come to admire and respect Big Black Women. This spells out generations who think that it is acceptable to be a “big girl.” Many believe that their weight is normal and perceive themselves as just being a little overweight and feel comfortable in their own skin. Thus African American women feel more accepting and attractive about their large frame bodies than do women of other races.

Cultural norms also play a pivotal role in obesity. Furthering obesity among African American women is the fact that this group is less inclined to engage in physical fitness. The indictment against Black women is that they are less likely to be fitness conscious. The fitness center is just not the place where you are going to find a lot of Black women sweating off the pounds. And do I dare say that some sistah's just don’t want to exercise because it might sweat their hair out! Black women in general make a big fuss about there hair, just ask one. Sistah’s who spend $45.00 dollars after sitting for two-hours in the hair salon to get their “dew did” are not likely to sweat it out the next day at the fitness center. Also worth mentioning, Black women would rather squeeze into clothing two sizes to small rather than shed a few dress sizes sweating off the excess pounds. Certainly, this will never be the answer. This however, makes African American women less inclined and less motivated to exercise regularly and incorporate fitness into their lifestyle.

Shifting Paradigms

In the Black Community there is more acceptance when it comes to weight issues. Less self-regulation and more increased social acceptance for people who are overweight and obese translates into unhealthy living. Just like many other communities and cultures, the Black community has its own standard for acceptance as it relates to obesity. Many think that if you got it flaunt it. Bigger is better. Big may be better and beautiful but it is not healthy.

But what is it going to take to reverse this trend. Are we going to see more and more African American women risking their lives with diabetes, heart complication, joint degeneration, hypertension and other chronic and critical health problems? The honest truth is that African American women must be willing to change their lifestyles and their attitudes towards food and physical fitness. Only then can this trend be reversed and African American women will not blame their genes or grandmothers cooking for their dress or pant size or baby fat, little Jerome is 12 years old now. Failure to do so put’s African American women in jeopardy of missing out on a long and healthy life. The shackle of obesity is alive and well in the Black community.




© Copyrighted Material 12/2010 Marquis Evans