The document discusses how social factors like low economic status, lack of education, and certain cultural beliefs contribute to higher rates of obesity in black minority women. These social factors are produced and perpetuated by issues like racism, discrimination, unequal access to education and jobs. The document suggests ways to eliminate these social factors, such as promoting equality, ending racism and discrimination, and increasing access to government assistance programs.

1. Obesity in Black Minority
Women
Lexi Jerome, James Johnson, Kelsey Fulweiler

2. Our Thesis
The social statuses of African American women greatly affect
their rates of obesity.

3. What is Obesity?
Excess body fat when calorie intake is too high or calorie
expenditure is too low (Johson & Wesley, 2012, p. 46)
Based off of BMI (body mass index) Chart

4. BMI Chart

5. The Facts
According to the Encyclopedia of Obesity,
“African Americans suffer disproportionately from many diseases and have among the
highest death rates and lowest life expectancies of any U.S. ethnic group” (Boslaugh,
2008, p. 16).
“There has been a trend over the past decade in increasing consumption of fat, sodium,
cholesterol, sweet beverages and grains, and a decline in lean meat, milk, raw fruits and
eggs by children and adolescents” of minority groups which results in more fat and
calorie consumption (Boslaugh, 2008, p. 17). This usually leads to obesity later on in
life.

6. What We Researched
The social factors that cause obesity in black women
The cause of the social factors
How we can eliminate these social factors
http://cliparts.co/cliparts/6cp/oLo/6cp
oLoxxi.png

7. What are the social factors?
Low Economic Status
Lack of Education
Cultural Beliefs
http://socialstudies.mrdonn.org/powerpoints/intl_global_community.gif
(Friday, L.)
https://encrypted-
tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQIMPCl9631uDvA21s
L7BMfR2pkwlTq29O3u0ZHp4hhDfdV_tO57A
http://images.clipartpanda.com/education-clip-
art-education-clip-art-pictures.jpg

8. How are these social factors produced?
Low Economic Status:
Discrimination/Racism and unequal treatment are causes
The Giddy Multitude created a divided between the races.
As a result, African American women are less economically advantaged than
whites.
Not being financially stable can lead to living in impoverished
neighborhoods, as well as stress.
http://www.clipartbest.com/cliparts/di7/pM6/di7pM67i9.png http://www.search-best-cartoon.com/cartoon-bear/cartoon-bear-with-empty-pockets.jpg
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/wealth-poverty-327288.jpg

9. How are these social factors produced? (Cont.)
Lack of Education:
Fewer percent of African American women with high school education and
college education compared to white women.
Occurs because of discrimination and less advantages in the work force.
College is very expensive.
Results in little info about overall health, food, and exercise.
Without an education, high paying jobs are much harder to find in general,
but add on the race factor.

10. How are these social factors produced? (Cont.)
Cultural Beliefs
The ideal body image for black women is very different compared to other
ethnicities. Depending on one’s culture, being overweight can be the ideal
body size, and being too skinny can be seen as ugly.
For example, if you open up a magazine, there are great differences in body
types between white, Asian, and African American women.
Amount of sweets consumed is higher in black women.
Higher obesity prevalence rate among black women.
http://comps.canstockphoto.com/can-stock-photo_csp28788238.jpg

11. How do we eliminate these social factors?
-Equal opportunities for everyone
“Discrimination also continues to exist in hiring and promotion practices, so that many
women and minorities have difficulty in obtaining jobs and promotions”
(Lansford, T).
a. Equality
“...whites will not do anything for blacks unless whites themselves
benefit…the
sense of injustice is touched by racial profiling. It is fundamentally unfair for the
police to stop and question African-American people solely because of their
race...” (Sedler, R).
b. Egalitarianism
“People should be treated as equals, should treat one another as equals,

12. How do we eliminate these social factors? Cont.
-Eliminate racism & discrimination
a. Race is an illusion
“...removing occupational barriers like discrimination naturally makes the
workforce more productive…” ( Kurtzleben, D).
-Government funded programs
a. SNAP Assistance (Food Stamps)
“SNAP took 2.4 million children out of severe poverty in 2005”
(The Real Benefits of SNAP).
a. Raising awareness for budget cuts to federal social assistance programs.
http://www.dhs.ri.g
ov/assets/img/snapl
ogo.jpg

13. Nutritious or junk?
http://www.superhealthykids.com/5-ways-to-protect-your-kids-from-junk-food/ http://www.wellnesspharmacy.us/vitamins-and-minerals/

14. BMI
High
School
College
Dropout
Food
Stamps
Americans
inPoverty
Childrenin
Poverty
Familiesin
Poverty
Data from Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2015

15. Why Does This Matter?
Pervasive issues of gender and racial inequality
Discrimination
Less work opportunities
Three strikes
Obesity a social norm?
Changing demographics in United States
Individual effects
Diabetes, stroke, heart disease
Impacts entire country
Direct and indirect medical costs
Increase in disability payments
Absenteeism at work and school
Ineffectiveness while at work and school
Cyclical effect

16. How Can You Help?
Rep. Richard Nolan [D]
2366 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
D.C. Office: (202) 225-6211
Fax: (202) 225-0699
Sen. Al Franken [D]
515 W 1st St
Suite 104
Duluth, MN 55802
Office: (218) 722-2390
Sen. Amy Klobuchar [D]
302 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
D.C. Office: (202) 224-3244
Fax: (202) 228-2186