The U.S's Latino Community Among the Most Affected by Obesity Epidemic
Washington, DC, 19 August, 2003 (PAHO)—The growing Latino community in the United States is one of the most affected by obesity, which has risen at an epidemic rate in the U.S. over the past 20 years, according to a top official of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
"As a former commissioner of public health in one of the states of the nation (Connecticut), I can tell you that the Latino community - of all communities in the United States -- is one of the most affected sectors by the epidemic of obesity," PAHO Deputy Director Dr. Joxel Garcia said in an interview.
He cited a number of factors for this, including too little physical activity and decreased physical fitness, the type of food that is consumed, and even genetics and culture.
"There's also the genetic factor in the Latino community," Garcia said. He noted he has seen estimates that "from 10 percent to 30 percent of all the obesity cases seen in the United States are related to genetics. But there is also the issue of our Latino culture … (and Latinos generally) like fried food and all the good things in life that are very fatty and not healthy."
But beyond the Latino community, obesity in a growing problem generally and it cuts across cultural and ethnic lines.
"Obesity is becoming a major epidemic not only in the United States but in the rest of the world. The entire world is being affected. The problem has become much more visible because it is affecting everybody in our countries. In the United Sates, 20 percent of older men and 25 percent of older women are considered obese. And those are amazing numbers," said Garcia.
His views were echoed earlier this month by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson who said that "obesity is the fastest-growing disease in America."
And it's also a growing problem in other nations of the Western Hemisphere. "I have data showing that in Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay and Uruguay more than 15 percent of their population is considered obese," Garcia said. In the United States, that number fluctuates between 20 percent and 25 percent.
"If obesity were just a matter of how people look, it would not be an issue; then it would just be a matter of preference," the PAHO official said. "But the problem with obesity is all the diseases for which it increases risks, including diabetes, hypertension and some cancers that are associated with obesity."
One major problem specifically in the United States is the relationship between obesity and smoking about teenage girls.
"In the United States, female teens see on TV that every girl on screen looks perfect and they look at themselves and see something different. Then they hear that smoking curtails their appetite or your weight," Garcia said. The result is that one of the most difficult areas to control -- the smoking patterns of the female teenager in the United States, and it has to do with the stigma and the behavioral effect that obesity and being overweight brings on them."
PAHO, the World Health Organization (WHO) and all other public health organizations look at public health threats that affect their communities and the people who they service. "Obesity is one of those threats," Garcia said.
"We have to educate the people and make them participants and partners in this endeavor. That's why I am very excited to see that PAHO is working not only with different ministries of health, but also with our partners that are working with the ministries of health across the entire hemisphere. It's not only a matter of getting the people together, but we have to engage them."
In sum, he said, "obesity is a public health threat and people in the entire world still do not realize that nutrition by itself is one of the major factors for wellness in this world."
PAHO was established in 1902 and is the world's oldest public health organization. PAHO works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and the quality of life of its people. It serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO).
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