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Patients at Risk for Disability: Obese African American and Hispanic/Latina
Females with OA
The patients most at risk for disability from osteoarthritis are obese African American and
Hispanic/Latina women because their symptoms of OA are more severe than those of Whites
and their obesity exacerbates their OA condition. Addressing obesity among various racial/
ethnic populations requires an understanding not only of the biological causes of obesity, but
also of the culture, values, resources, and environments that influence eating and physical
activity behaviors and choices.
What Accounts for Differences in the Prevalence of Obesity in African American
and Hispanic/Latina Females?
A CDC study suggested that at least three reasons might account for the differences in the
prevalence of obesity among various racial/ethnic populations.
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1. Racial/ethnic populations differ in behaviors that contribute to weight gain.
For example:
• Compared with non-Hispanic/
Latino Whites, non-Hispanic/
Latino Blacks and Hispanics/
Latinos are less likely to engage
in regular (nonoccupational)
physical activity.
• Among women, regular
physical activity was
significantly lower among non-
Hispanic/Latino Blacks (36.3%)
and Hispanics/Latinos (42.3%)
than among non-Hispanic/Latino Whites (49.8%).
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• Among women, the combined prevalence of eating fruits and vegetables five or
more times per day and engaging in regular physical activity was significantly
lower for non-Hispanic/Latino Blacks (12.6%) and Hispanics/Latinos (14.8%)
than for non-Hispanic/Latino Whites (17.4%).
2. Certain populations have less access to affordable, healthful foods and safe locations
for physical activity. Evidence suggests that neighborhoods with large minority
populations have fewer chain supermarkets and produce stores and that healthful
foods are relatively more expensive than energy-dense foods, especially in minority
and low-income communities.
66;67
Evidence also indicates that minority and low-
income populations have less access to physical activity facilities and resources and
that traffic and neighborhood safety might inhibit walking.
66;67
3. Culture can profoundly influence the way people experience and respond to health
and disease, and differences exist in attitudes and cultural norms regarding body
weight. For example, according to one study, both non-Hispanic/Latina Black and
Hispanic/Latina women are more satisfied with their body size than non-Hispanic/
T
o be effective, interventions
on diet and weight must
reflect ethnic customs and beliefs.
Perceptions of healthy eating and
weight vary based on culture.