Economic, Cultural, Social Determinants of Black Women Obesity

Abstract

Obesity is a widespread problem in the United States, particularly affecting Black communities. It is a public health problem, a long-term, cumulative issue of economic and social justice and inequality for this demographic group. Thus, the key to solving it is to eliminate persistent structural root causes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022, the prevalence of obesity among African American adults is 49.5%, with Black women having the highest prevalence compared to other racial and ethnic groups. The main purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive literature review that examines the multifaceted factors contributing to obesity among African American women, as well as systematise the determinants related to the economic well-being of the community, social factors, cultural patterns of lifestyle in the community, etc. The analysis revealed a clear inverse relationship between income and obesity among African Americans, with this trend being particularly pronounced among women than men and differing across age groups in black communities. The economic determinants of obesity in Black women are related to the fact that low-income households have limited access to affordable and nutritious food and are regularly exposed to stress related to financial difficulties, with so-called “food swamps” and “food deserts” being common in low-income areas. The social determinants of obesity are related to the fact that Black women face higher levels of racism and sexism than other demographic groups, and unequal social conditions cause structural disparities in health, education and employment. Psycho-social and cultural determinants (cultural norms of body image, social influencers, religion, social networks and family upbringing, etc.) play a key role in the emergence of the problem under study, so Black women often model their eating and physical activity habits by cultural traditions, and those who struggle with overweight may face stigma, social isolation and discrimination. The article makes recommendations for reducing obesity among Black women, which primarily relate to the development of culturally sensitive nutrition education programs, community-based health promotion programs, community-centered food policy advocacy, technology-based health platforms, public-private partnerships for affordable healthy food retail, etc.