Childhood obesity within the lens of racism

Abstract

Despite decades of research and a multitude of prevention and treatment efforts, childhood obesity in the United States continues to affect nearly 1 in 5 (19.3%) children, with significantly higher rates among Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour communities. This narrative review presents social foundations of structural racism that exacerbate inequity and disparity in the context of childhood obesity. The

Childhood obesity and racism: 2022 views and observations

“…1,5 In particular, less is known and reported in the peer reviewed literature about the early and long-term contributions of one or more forms of discrimination based on race in this regard, even though obesity or overweight prevalence and severity inequalities among minority children have been consistently recognized and identified for almost 15 years or more. 1,6 The impact of COVID-19 on childhood obesity rates, and the discrepant distribution in this regard, 7 another understudied related topic, similarly remains poorly documented, but again affects minorities more significantly, and more adversely in multiple ways than non minority youth, and especially those with a prevailing high body mass. 8,9 This situation also persists currently in 2022 despite a belated focus on the concepts of equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion in multiple realms including sports, basic education, physical education, physical activity opportunities, food stamp programs, medical school acceptance processes, the selection of personnel who ascribe to equity in universities and health organizations, and others designed to level the playing fields that clearly impact childhood obesity.…”

“…This brief was designed to build on the thought provoking and well-articulated insightful report by Mackey et al, 4 as to the potentially important role of racism in its multiple guises as a potentially modifiable mediator of excess childhood obesity rates and extent among large numbers of disadvantaged minorities. As well, evidence to support that of Browne et al, 6 concerning the possible subtle and overt effects of societal structures sustained from years of racism and their impact on the development and resistant nature of childhood obesity that compels concerted action was sought.…”

“…Hypothetical impact of possible adverse effects of racism and other related factors among minority youth on childhood obesity rates and extent that should be studied further. 1,6,12,13 Indeed, reasonably new data sources not only affirm that the prevalence of childhood obesity has risen since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019, where minorities were clearly more impacted than other groups, but that obesity is inextricably linked with numerous chronic diseases, impairments in physical function and poor life quality, plus immense societal costs that fall more frequently on the shoulders of minorities. These include but are not limited to a host of medical, psychological, and social problems, including low self-esteem and discrimination that stem from racial biases and practices that may be intangible as well as tangible.…”

“…These include but are not limited to a host of medical, psychological, and social problems, including low self-esteem and discrimination that stem from racial biases and practices that may be intangible as well as tangible. 6 Commonly attributed to the accumulation of excess dietary calories and their transformation into visceral fat along with the release of high concentrations of free fatty acids into various vital body organs, as well as muscles, a role for social factors stemming from racism is clearly highly neglected in these discussions if compared to the importance given to physical health and nutrition based correlates even though racial and ethnic disparities in prevalence as well as treatment have clearly prevailed for more than 15 years. 14 This aforementioned situation is not just theoretical, and of passing concern, but is potentially alarming if one considers a state where almost 20 percent of United States children, children in the world's richest most developed country, have been deemed to be obese or at risk for excess weight, 14 and that unless reversed, childhood obesity in particular, may well predate adult obesity, and numerous adverse health impacts, including depression and poor mental health, even among very young children and adolescents.…”

Contributory Factors Influencing Interdisciplinary Pediatric Weight Management Program Attendance for Racially Minoritized Youth

“…Racially minoritized families are also more likely to be uninsured and to live in low-income neighborhoods (Flores, 2010 ; Singh et al, 2017 ). The experience of racism has been recognized as a social determinant of health that contributes to inequities and disparities specific to pediatric obesity (Browne et al, 2021 ; Trent et al, 2019 ). Thus, contemporary racial disparities may impact every stage of treatment throughout development from early detection and prevention to attendance in treatment for racially minoritized youth.…”