Demographic factors associated with obesity among African American and Latino adolescents
Abstract
This research study examines how the growing epidemic of childhood obesity persists from adolescents into adulthood. It examines the threats of obesity among teenage girls, specifically girls of racial minority descent, as well as the contributing factors of obesity in minorities, as compared to their Caucasian counterparts. This research also looks at parents' involvement or lack thereof concerning obesity, and it reviews research that has been conducted on children suffering from obesity and unsuccessful methods to reduce the epidemic from continuing into adolescences. This study involves secondary data analysis of The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (ADD Health) to compare differences in the groups. Results of this study confirm previous results that there are significant racial differences in overweight and obesity among adolescent girls. Additionally, this study provides strategies for reducing the obesity epidemic with successful proven methods and follows the initiative of First Lady Michelle Obama's national campaign called "Let's Move", in an effort to fight against the disease. The discussion emphasizes strategies that can be utilized to help minority parents and adolescents improve their health and reduce obesity and prevent negative health outcomes.
Subject Area
Nutrition|Developmental psychology
Recommended Citation
Carlisha A Smith,
"Demographic factors associated with obesity among African American and Latino adolescents"
(2011).
ETD Collection for Tennessee State University.
Paper AAI1497843.
https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AAI1497843