Social Justice and the Urban Obesity Crisis: Implications for Social Work

Abstract

Social Justice and the Urban Obesity Crisis: Implications for Social Work is written by Melvin Delgado in response to the need for such a work, which uniquely addresses obesity from a social justice perspective specific to the social work profession. This book brings context to what is often deemed a “public health crisis” by examining the roles of various social, economic, historical, policy, media, and cultural factors that influence its definition, magnitude, perception, intra- and interpersonal reality, and subsequent treatment. Delgado outlines six goals of this work: (1) offer a current analysis of the extent and outcomes of obesity in the United States; (2) bring attention to obesity among “marginalized communities of color” through the lens of social justice; (3) address social bases and corollaries for marginalized populations; (4) assess methodological confounds in quantifying obesity and related interventions; (5) recognize the efficacy of “community-based participatory health promotion principles and interventions” (p. 24); and (6) explore the role of the social work profession in shaping urban obesity intervention strategies. The far-reaching goals of Social Justice and the Urban Obesity Crisis are unified through the author's commitment not only to community-based perspectives, but also to democratic community-led intervention strategies well suited to divergent contextual influences that contribute to the complexity of the challenge at hand. Delgado's espousal of an asset model versus a medical or deficit model in addressing urban obesity is well aligned with the social justice paradigm and the social work profession and offers new avenues for change in the arena of health promotion.