Obesity Issues in Hispanic Population Group

Population and Health Disparity

• Over 4.3 million Hispanics live in Florida.
• Obesity is prevalent among Hispanics, especially those coming from Mexico (“Current status,” 2018).
• Obesity occurs in Hispanics more often than in Whites.
• Obesity is one of the enduring health problems in US healthcare
• Obesity leads to heart diseases, loss of mobility, and diabetes.
• In Hispanics, obesity is more prevalent among women.
• Childhood obesity is likely to follow into adulthood (“Current status,” 2018).

Brief History of the Medical Condition in Hispanics

• Mexico is among the top three countries for high obesity rates.
• Obesity in Hispanics is related to generational poverty.
• Health education in Mexico and other Hispanic countries is lacking.
• Cultural and language barriers are an issue.
• Hispanic cuisine is predisposed towards high-calorie foods.
• Obesity has been historically prevalent in the Hispanic population.
• Migrants and 1st-generation Mexican-Americans are especially vulnerable to obesity (“Current status,” 2018).

Literature Review

• Liu, Hannon, Qi, Downs, and Marrero (2015) conducted a study on obesity in Latino children.
• Discoveries: Obesity prevalent in children regardless of sex and insurance status.
• Interventions may need to be directed at families.
• Isasi et al. (2015) analyzed the impact of acculturation on obesity rates in Hispanics.
• Research finds that prolonged exposure to the environment, rather than acculturation, leads to obesity.
• Kaiser et al. (2015) analyzed food patterns in young Latino children.
• Fast foods and irregular food patterns correlate with obesity.

Statistical Information and Comparisons

• The current adult obesity rate in Florida – 27.4%
• 26.8% of obese people in Florida are Hispanics.
• Obesity-related health issues (diabetes, hypertension) are rising.
• Hispanics are more likely to have obesity than whites (26.8% vs. 25.7%).
• Hispanics are less likely to have obesity than blacks (26.8% vs. 35.2%).
• Child obesity in Hispanics is at 12.4%.
• 60% of obese Hispanic people in Florida are aged between 26 and 64 (“The state of obesity, “2016).

Evidence-Based Cultural Values, Characteristics, and Communication

• Cultural values: kindness, relationship, respect, modesty.
• Have disproportionally high rates of obesity and diabetes.
• Prefer alternative therapies and traditional or herbal remedies.
• Health beliefs are determined by education, socioeconomic status, and acculturation.
• Barriers: Language, lack of insurance, distrust, immigrant status.
• Obesity may be associated with stress from living and working in the USA.
• Culturally competent interventions are necessary to improve patient outcomes (Juckett, 2013).

Health Disparities in Hispanic Population

• Higher rates of obesity when compared to the non-Hispanic White population.
• 51% more likely to die from diabetes
• Higher chances of developing cancer.
• High levels of depression and stress coupled with inaccessibility to mental care.
• Less access to quality dental care.
• Higher prevalence of asthma
• Higher chances of experiencing an adverse medical event during treatment (“Current status,” 2018).

Reasons for Health Disparities

• Lack of proper access to medical insurance.
• Cultural nuances and specifics of national cuisine.
• Socio-economic factors.
• Generational poverty and poor neighborhoods.
• Higher rates of criminal activity.
• Stress associated with legal status in the country.
• Educational inequality and language barriers (Juckett, 2013).

Culturally Competent Health Promotion Activities

• Specialized community education based on Hispanic cultural values.
• Pamphlets and leaflets about obesity written in Spanish.
• A balanced diet based on certain dishes from national cuisine.
• Bilingual communication during medical treatment.
• Using Hispanic nurses to establish trust.
• Introducing bilingual community workers to promote a healthy way of life.
• Internet-based health resources must be in English and Spanish (Juckett, 2013).

Health Literacy in Hispanics

• Health literacy in Hispanic populations is low.
• Education inequalities result in reduced health literacy.
• Hispanic patients face discrimination in the US medical system.
• Lack of health literacy in adjacent Hispanic countries.
• The majority of health information sites are English-only.
• Lack of community-based health literacy interventions.
• Inability to fluently communicate with doctors in Spanish (Isasi et al., 2015).

Political Means of Advocacy

• Nursing associations may provide support.
• Local legislators may be involved in health promotion.
• Advocacy for the overall reduction of obesity (includes Hispanics).
• Support from international organizations (Red Cross, USAID, etc.).
• Mobilization of Hispanic voters.
• Seeking favor with major political parties.
• Small-scale advocacy efforts through interaction.

References

Current status. (2018). Web.

Isasi, C. R., Ayala, G. X., Sotres-Alvarez, D., Madanat, H., Penedo, F., Loria, C. M., … Schneiderman, N. (2015). Is acculturation related to obesity in Hispanic/Latino adults? Results from the Hispanic community health study/study of Latinos. Journal of Obesity, 2015, 1-8.

Juckett, G. (2013). Caring for Latino patients. American Family Physician, 87(1), 48-54.

Kaiser, L. L., Aguilera, A. L., Horowitz, M., Lamp, C., Johns, M., Gomez-Camacho, R., … de la Torre, A. (2015). Correlates of food patterns in young Latino children at high risk of obesity. Public Health Nutrition, 18(16), 2042-3050.

Liu, G. C., Hannon, T., Qi, R., Downs, S. M., & Marrero, D. G. (2015). The obesity epidemic in children: Latino children are disproportionately affected at younger ages. International Journal of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 2(1), 12-18.

The state of obesity in Florida. (2016). Web.