Perspectives in obesity inequalities Essay
A number of studies demonstrate the evident association between obesity and racial and ethnic inequalities. First of all, ethnic minorities tend to be less socially defended and thus more vulnerable to the effects of socioeconomic disparities observed before. As it was estimated in 1997 in Great Britain, obesity rates were higher among Asians and children of Wales and Scotland. Significant ethnic group differences have been studied by Asthana and Halliday (2006). As Tamara Dubowitz, Theresa L. Osypuk and Kristen Kurland reveal through their study “Examination of the built environment and prevalence of obesity: neighbourhood characteristics, food purchasing venues, green space and distribution of Body Mass Index”, the rates of obesity in the United States are higher among Hispanics and African Americans.
Further, ethnical minorities often suffer from segregation. It results in material restrictions like lack of access to adequate health service and food production, and at the same time it causes a number of mental, moral and psychological effects that are associated with the risk of obesity. “Residential segregation has been deemed a fundamental cause of racial health disparities, because of the effect of living in impoverished neighbourhoods, and the powerful effect of segregation influencing later life socioeconomic position advancement,” Dubowitz, Osypuk and Kurland (2009 p. 26) reveal. Next, they posit that “physical characteristics of the neighbourhoods, including food purchasing venues and green space, have a tangible relationship with diet and physical activity, as individuals may be geographically influenced by the options around them, in terms of making dietary and/or exercise choices” (Dubowitz, Osypuk and Kurland, 2009 p. 32). In other words, the geographical factor is also decisive. Still, the target is not simply to concentrate on problem estates, but to look attentively at the wider range of discords in opportunities existing between different areas. Davey-Smith, in turn, speaks about concern that “dietary control may be needed to reduce coronary risk factor (especially abdominal obesity) among South Asian groups, and to reduce risk of hypertension and stroke (and excess weight for height) among African Caribbeans” (Davey-Smith, 2003 p. 294). Therein, racial discrimination should be undoubtedly eliminated, as “adequate living standards and protection against income insecurity are basic human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights” (Davey-Smith, 2003 p. 471).
