Hispanic Population Statistics Paper

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In 1990, obese adults represented less than 15 percent of the U.S. Population but by 2010, the obesity crisis had hit an unprecedented high. Thirty-six “states had obesity rates of 25 percent or higher, and 12 of those had obesity rates of 30 percent or higher” (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2015, para. 1). Today, obesity has fast become a national health crisis, a crisis of vacated immunity when considering approximately two out of three adults are either overweight or obese. Although African Americans have the highest-age-adjusted rates of obesity for reasons to follow, this paper will focus on obesity and its impact on the Hispanic population.
Hispanic Population Statistics
Currently, national data suggest 78.6 percent of Hispanic males are either overweight or obese, followed by Hispanic females at 77.2 percent. (Kit, Ogden, Flegal, & Carroll, 2014). Further broken down, Hispanics between the ages of 40 to 59 bear the most significant burden of obesity (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2015). To that end, as a resident of Phoenix, AZ, interest was sparked regarding the impact of obesity on the local Hispanic population. Subsequently, that question led to the discovery that Phoenix has a population of 1,537,058 (2014), of which Hispanics account for 40.8 percent of this population (United States Census Bureau, 2015). In Phoenix, Hispanics post an obesity rate of 33.8 percent, which in 2014, was 11.1 percent higher than that of Whites at 22.7. Additionally, at 30.3 percent, Hispanic aged 45 to 64 were most affected, followed closely by those aged 26 to 44 at 26.7 percent. Notably, when comparing obesity rates for Hispanics across 48 states, Arizona’s Hispanic population ranks eighth in highest obesity rates (Trust for America’s Health & Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2014). Subsequently, local and national statistical data paints a portrait, which when revealed, emphasizes a dire need for intervention in efforts to improve health outcomes for this ethnic group, especially amongst males and females aged 40 to 59. Health and Obesity According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015), “obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of preventable death” (para.
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1). The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (2012) add to this list, “high blood pressure, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (excess fat and inflammation in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol), and osteoarthritis (a health problem causing pain, swelling, and stiffness in one or more joints)” (p. 1). Moreover, between 2008 and 2012, the prevalence of diabetes among Hispanics rose from 18.7 to 22.7, which correlates with rising rates of obesity during this same period (Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality, 2015). Rates of diagnosed diabetes for this ethnic group are nearly double that of non-Hispanic Whites. However, given the correlation concerning obesity and diseases, as well as the fact that “in 2013, Hispanic adults were 30% less likely to engage in active physical activity as Non-Hispanic Whites” such statistics are not entirely shocking. (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2013, para. 4). Additionally, aside from heart disease, Hispanics remain at an increased risk of death resulting from diabetes and stroke compared to non-Hispanic Whites (HHS, 2013). Important to note, in addition to the physical health consequences of overweight and obesity, it

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