[Srsly]

When I see morbidly obese black women, I think that they are a group that has severe insulin resistance and could most benefit the most from carbohydrate restriction, yet they're the group least likely to be aware of such an intervention. They probably want to lose weight (at least the ones that have trouble moving around and have various health issues) but they take the wrong approach of just trying to eat more fruits and vegetables, which is largely impractical for them, but constantly perpetuated by the government.

[Opiate]

is there something about income in there? Black women tend to be a lot poorer than other women, iirc

There isn't, but we do know that Black men are even poorer than are Black women, and they do not exhibit these same tendencies.

Yeah, not sure what that means.

I assume the suggestion is that black women take control of their own lives. If they have a problem (in this case, rampant obesity in their race/gender demographic), and they feel that the cause of that problem is black men (i.e. they are enabling their obesity), then the solution is to not be around those enablers.

This is why I brought up the interracial marriage statistics: if black women truly feel that black men are the cause of their obesity (And I'm not convinced that they do feel this way -- this article is just one woman), then one solution to that problem is to marry people who want them to be at healthier weight.

The worst thing we can do is hand-wave these kind of statistics as attacks by the media. Obesity, heart disease, and diabetes are real problems in the black community. Attacking the problem head on is the best bet. The author of the opinion piece tries to rationalize the factual trend with some anecdotal evidence, but whether or not she is correct, it's still a problem.

Absolutely correct. The first step in solving a problem is to admit that the problem actually exists. Once we've gotten that far, then we can begin to figure out what the cause of the problem is and how to cure it.

[KibblesBits]

With time, statistics get old. And naturally a new study must be conducted to monitor and understand the overall trend. What may have been true two to three years ago may have changed for the better or worse recently. We can't have absolute numbers because the variables related to the studies always change. Am I saying that the previous statistics found in studies are overwhelmingly wrong or to be dismissed? No! I am saying that it does not present the whole picture. One must also take into consideration the sample size, the methods used in the study and the symptoms and causes behind what is being studied.

It is a lot more complicated than just, "This is that." Especially when the "Why does it appear this way?" is left out.

[Buckethead]

I asked God to give me big thighs like my dancing teacher, Diane.

I can totally see Jesus praying for this.

[Tenks]

I can totally see Jesus praying for this.

Wouldn't Jesus praying just be him talking to himself?


Oh wait that is all praying *rimshot*

Thanks guys I'll see you next week

[Mr. Serious Business]

I think he's tired of the viewing of black people as some monolithic group like we're all the same. It is pretty tiring to be frank.

In this case it's perfectly justified. Blacks as a race, on average, are more prone to obesity. This article addresses the issue among black women.

Obesity is a major issue and it's never going to be diminished unless it's addressed head on. It's not about inferiority or categorizing. If you addressed the trend of whites being more susceptible to skin cancer, you wouldn't be saying that white people are inferior. You would just be discussing a major health issue.

[eso76]

came in here to see pics of black beauties.
leaving disappointed

[Stealth Editor]

came in here to see pics of black beauties. leaving disappointed

there's always google image for you.

[ViewtifulJC]

Ok, so it's a problem. We all acknowledge it's a problem. There are the numbers, let's not question their age or sample size or validity

What are the solutions? How do black women specifically(since that's the subject here) solve this problem they are faced with?

And please tell me it's better then "Well, maybe they shouldn't marry black men"

[Sadsic]

theres no social stigma for black women to be skinny; maybe thats not a bad thing? is being fat really that bad? if theyre fat and happy and people find them attractive, whats the problem

[J-Rod]

Talking out my ass, but perhaps they just have a higher metabolic propensity for weight gain in their genetics. Sort of like how you may be at a higher risk for certain cancers and diseases depending on your race.

[CrushDance]

I don't think this is race specific. Some guys like big gals and some like small gals.

When that many black women are overweight though? I'm not saying it's the mens fault. That's wrong. But clearly there is an issue with weight amongst black women. Finding out why is a god thing for everyone.

[Bgamer90]

Maybe I'm wrong for feeling this way, but I don't think black women exercise as much as white women. I don't know why that is. Go to your local gym and take note at who is taking yoga classes, aerobics, etc.

There are more White women than Black women so of course one would more than likely see more White women inside a random gym.

Good number of ignorant posts being made in here. Leaving before it gets worse...

[Schlep]

When that many black women are overweight though? I'm not saying it's the mens fault. That's wrong.

Which men?

[CrushDance]

There isn't, but we do know that Black men are even poorer than are Black women, and they do not exhibit these same tendencies. I assume the suggestion is that black women take control of their own lives. If they have a problem (in this case, rampant obesity in their race/gender demographic), and they feel that the cause of that problem is black men (i.e. they are enabling their obesity), then the solution is to not be around those enablers. This is why I brought up the interracial marriage statistics: if black women truly feel that black men are the cause of their obesity (And I'm not convinced that they do feel this way -- this article is just one woman), then one solution to that problem is to marry people who want them to be at healthier weight. Absolutely correct. The first step in solving a problem is to admit that the problem actually exists. Once we've gotten that far, then we can begin to figure out what the cause of the problem is and how to cure it.

That's just shifting the blame though. Is it not?

Which men?

Black men. That's what the context of the quote was.

theres no social stigma for black women to be skinny; maybe thats not a bad thing? is being fat really that bad? if theyre fat and happy and people find them attractive, whats the problem

I think everyone would be much happier with there being less of a burden on health services and seeing more fit people.

[AbsoluteZero]

When that many black women are overweight though? I'm not saying it's the mens fault. That's wrong. But clearly there is an issue with weight amongst black women. Finding out why is a god thing for everyone.

All I was saying is that Men wanting their women big isn't exclusive to the race in question.

[MarleyManiac]

Mr. Professor should have rephrased that to say YEAST down below, not sugar....although if you have both all you would need is some grape juice to make some sweet "down below merlot".

[Schlep]

Black men. That's what the context of the quote was.

Why would the weight of black women be the fault of black men or any men?

[DonasaurusRex]

i wonder what the obesity numbers were in the 50s-60s

[esquire]

Fascinating.

All I can tell you from observing the women in my own life, is that all women are concerned about weight gain (some struggle with it), but black women don't seem nearly as concerned about being rail skinny as other women. Part of it is their genetics and part of it is cultural, but I would shy away from leaning heavily on any one particular cause and place the blame on an overall cavalier attitude towards weight gain unlike other women who freak out if they gain a few pounds.

Interesting article. I live in Brooklyn NY and always felt that black women were over weight simply because they could be. Black men don't seem to have standards when it comes to weight so there's no real incentive for black women to worry about it so much. But I never assumed that we were "asking" women to remain over weight. I've personally never heard of such a thing.

Eh, from personal experience, I don't think that's true at all. Black men are more accepting of curvy women, but some people (black men included) don't know the difference between a woman who has curves and a woman who is fat. Beyonce and Kim Kardashian are good examples of women who have curves, but no one in their right mind would call them fat or obese.

[King Mystery]

the sugar down below. yeah. and like cuevas said, how is this phenomenon that is described exclusive to black women?

Mighty Sparrow - Bag ah Sugar


Sparrow knows what's up!

[Buckethead]

What are the solutions? How do black women specifically(since that's the subject here) solve this problem they are faced with?

A sea-change in cultural values.

Not just in health and nutrition which is obvious but of women's rights. The selfishness and patriarchy of whomever's husband in that article was pretty disgusting.

There's a financial and educational element at play too but to use that as a scapegoat would be irresponsible.

I find this problematic, too:

I have my own personal program: walk eight miles a week, sleep eight hours a night and drink eight glasses of water a day.

Errrrt. Wrong. That is why people fail.

Use personal trainers and nutritionists. They do that for a living for a reason. To not consult them, at least in the interim is a very unwise choice.

[Sadsic]

I think everyone would be much happier with there being less of a burden on health services and seeing more fit people.

maybe everyones happier being fat

[CrushDance]

Why would the weight of black women be the fault of black men or any men?

What. That's what I was saying. We're on the same page Schelp.

maybe everyones happier being fat

Now you just know that's not true. :)

[Baconsammy]

In 2010 72 percent of African American children were born to unwed mothers. That could account for fewer black women exercising at the gym. They're home raising their children.

[JGS]

Has diet actually been mentioned as a reason. Although I see plenty of overweight white women to negate a difference or pattern (I'm in the KY though), I do notice that if one eats good (Not the same thing as healthy), one gains weight.

Further, the poorer you are, the less likely you can afford healthy food (Ridiculously expensive) and no reason to buy it since it's not as tasty.

Black men and women may not have as big a problem with being fat, but I'm not sure that is why they're fat.

[Sho_Nuff82]

maybe everyones happier being fat

They really aren't, especially by the time they turn 40.

[ViewtifulJC]

maybe everyones happier being fat

I don't have any STATISTICS™ to back this up, but I don't think being fat is a desirable state of being for most people. I don't think most fat people like being fat, but they're unwilling to adjust their lifestyle choices to deal with it, so they are what they are.

[Eschaton]

i blame carbs personally

[Opiate]

That's just shifting the blame though. Is it not?

This is a difficult one to answer. If one assumes we are all islands completely capable of making independent choices free from outside influence, yes.

But realistically, being around people who enable or encourage bad behavior makes it more difficult to engage in good behavior. If all my friends do nothing but sit around and watch TV while eating Doritos, I would of course be technically capable of joining them watching TV but be on a treadmill the whole time, only drinking water. Realistically, though, that's very difficult, and one might be better suited to simply making new friends. I'm not suggesting that's the only solution; just that it would be a solution. And all of this rests on the original assumption that black men are enabling black women to be obese, which is thus far not a hypothesis supported by real data.

maybe everyones happier being fat

And maybe everyone's happier being chronic marijuana users. And happier not working dead end, uninspiring jobs. Why don't we all become fat, lazy potheads?

I don't have any STATISTICS™ to back this up, but I don't think being fat is a desirable state of being for most people. I don't think most fat people like being fat, but they're unwilling to adjust their lifestyle choices to deal with it, so they are what they are.

You aren't going to get very far disparaging statistical evidence as you have.

Serious question: how are you proposing we reach conclusions? What evidence should we use to support or refute our claims, if not scientific data?

[EviLore]

Errrrt. Wrong. That is why people fail. Use personal trainers and nutritionists. They do that for a living for a reason.

??????

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDDyxXyf6UU

[blame space]

not to mention
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUDH7TSQa4k

[Alligatorjandro]

I think its less of a race thing and more of a class thing.

Go to poorer areas and you see more fat people

Go to richer areas and you see more skinny people.

[Opiate]

I think its less of a race thing and more of a class thing. Go to poorer areas and you see more fat people Go to richer areas and you see more skinny people.

Again, this wouldn't explain why black men (who are even poorer, in aggregate, than are black women) are not experiencing similar obesity problems.

[Satch]

A sea-change in cultural values. Not just in health and nutrition which is obvious but of women's rights. The selfishness and patriarchy of whomever's husband in that article was pretty disgusting. There's a financial and educational element at play too but to use that as a scapegoat would be irresponsible.

Why are the financial and educational elements of the culture "scapegoats", and why is acknowledging those facets of the culture irresponsible?

[Sadsic]

And maybe everyone's happier being chronic marijuana users. And happier not working dead end, uninspiring jobs. Why don't we all become fat, lazy potheads?

i mean why not be fat, if the social stigma for being fat = ugly is gone, why not? you die sooner but you also have to do a shitload less work in general

lets just have wall-e future

[MiniBossBattle]

Slightly tangential but NPR's Fresh Air is talking about rising obesity in school children & America in general. Really eye opening stuff.

If I knew a certain lifestyle could lead my wife to a shorter life span, chronic disease and possible blindness or amputation, I would make a change. Guess its hard to see the long-view.

[EviLore]

i mean why not be fat, if the social stigma for being fat = ugly is gone, why not? you die sooner but you also have to do a shitload less work in general lets just have wall-e future

It's not just a matter of dying sooner, it's diminishing your quality of life for decades leading up to your eventual death.

[BobLoblaw]

Interesting article. I live in the south (sorry) and I've noticed a pretty large disparity between fat black women and fat white women (by about a 2:1 margin). Don't get me wrong, there are way too many fat people down here in general, but seeing a thin black woman is very, very rare. A lot of them are pretty normal-sized (thick), but most of them are just plain fat. And I seriously don't think it's just an economics thing because a lot of the ones that I work with are earning a good bit of money, but are huge. What are the chances that it could be some sort of defect in genes?

[SapientWolf]

Again, this wouldn't explain why black men (who are even poorer, in aggregate, than are black women) are not experiencing similar obesity problems.

Higher metabolisms, more than likely. Statistically, I would be surprised if they weren't eating the same things in similar quantities.

[JGS]

Again, this wouldn't explain why black men (who are even poorer, in aggregate, than are black women) are not experiencing similar obesity problems.

Black men do face this. Some of the most obese people I've seen are black men with service jobs.

Overall, black men are more prone to physical labor and blue collar jobs. If you are a garbage man or postal worker, you have a tendency to be working out. Black women who work are routinely in service fields that require less physical activity.

We have a Toyota Plant nearby and the blue collar women that work there are in great shape. Again, not sure of the correlation entirely.

[ViewtifulJC]

What are the chances that it could be some sort of defect in genes?

I'm tempted to search "Are black people genetically defective?" to see if there are some studies in this area. Typing "Black People are" and letting Google autofill is always good for a laugh

[Dreams-Visions]

Diet and culture.

Those are the umbrella concepts. Now, which aspects of said diet and the complexity that is inherent in the very word word "culture" are matters that are extensive and deep, and require much more conversation and insight than most here are prepared or studied enough to discuss. At best, some of us may touch on the surface issues while failing to understand or comprehend the iceberg of complexity beneath.

That said, understand that both diet and culture would be extremely difficult to change. Maybe in a few generations.

:-(

[CTE]

Wow. 80% is so high. Didn't realize that part. Lived in BC most of my life and not too many overweight people here. Moved from living in Manitoba for the past 4 years and noticed how many people are overweight to significant degrees. Not just a few pounds extra, I mean.

[CrushDance]

Wow. 80% is so high. Didn't realize that part. Lived in BC most of my life and not too many overweight people here. Moved from living in Manitoba for the past 4 years and noticed how many people are overweight to significant degrees. Not just a few pounds extra, I mean.

In BC? Really? O_o

[EviLore]

Higher metabolisms, more than likely. Statistically, I would be surprised if they weren't eating the same things in similar quantities.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15534426

In humans, the coefficient of variation in the components of total daily energy expenditure is around 5-8% for resting metabolic rate, 1-2% for exercise energy expenditure

We have very little difference in metabolisms, person to person, and the variance that does exist can be explained entirely by differences in body composition (muscle vs fat).

[Reuenthal]

I wonder if there is any positive at all. If black men and women have less problem with fat, and black men find fat women less unattractive than other groups do they might live less healthy lives but on the positive psychological issues related to people not accepting your for your fatness might be less severe and they more happy about themselves than say fat white women might be in relation to them being fat.

Though health is important so they should be less fat.

[.GqueB.]

Eh, from personal experience, I don't think that's true at all. Black men are more accepting of curvy women, but some people (black men included) don't know the difference between a woman who has curves and a woman who is fat. Beyonce and Kim Kardashian are good examples of women who have curves, but no one in their right mind would call them fat or obese.

Wait so that's the kind of "fat" we're talking about?

[Sho_Nuff82]

I wonder if there is any positive at all. If black men and women have less problem with fat, and black men find fat women less unattractive than other groups do they might live less healthy lives but on the positive psychological issues related to people not accepting your for your fatness might be less severe and they more happy about themselves than say fat white women might be in relation to them being fat. Though health is important so they should be less fat.

What?

[Baconsammy]

What?

People not being shamed for being fat are happier than people constantly being shamed about it. Whether or not that's a good thing, is up to you. To me, being fat, unhealthy and oblivious is a bad combo.