Why are so many black women fat?
Before you bristle at the question, consider this: four out of five black women are overweight or obese, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.** Let me repeat that: four out of five. About 50 percent of black women fall in the obese category compared to 30 percent of white women, an NPR story states. The disturbing trend starts early. Almost 20 percent of black girls in high school are overweight, compared to nearly 14 percent for white girls, a 2012 CDC study says. (Black boys, 12.8, are less likely to be fat than white boys, 14.7.)
Those numbers, while alarming, reflect what I see as a personal trainer and a black male. I’ve pondered the black obesity question for many years. A number of factors, I believe, have contributed to African-American women being fatter than ANY OTHER GROUP. I planned on writing this blog based on only my own observations and experience in and out of the gym, but then found an overwhelming amount of supporting evidence online. Some people might disagree with my opinion, but it’s hard to dispute the damning statistics. Yet some will - and therein lies the problem. Black women are in denial. Many really believe that they’re fit and fine at 160, 180 or even 200 pounds. This is not a new story, especially in the South. Black women here have embraced their “thickness,” shamelessly displaying blubbery arms while sporting spaghetti straps. Ladies, that’s not a good look...
Listening to a hip-hop radio station last weekend, I heard two women discussing working out and losing some LB’s. One said, “well, it’s tough for black women because we like to cook” and then, of course, eat what they’ve prepared. She added: “and our men like us currrrrvvvy.” That might be true, I do like curves. But, unfortunately, curvy has become a euphemism for fat. Don’t be fooled into thinking you look good just because a few guys are trying to get in your pants. And you like to cook? Broiled chicken or baked fish makes a fine meal.
What’s at the root of this problem? The belief that it’s acceptable - or even preferred - for black women to be big. It makes it easier to justify eating unhealthy, fat-laden and fried foods. It contributes, I think, to black women thinking that they don’t have to work out. I work out at a lot of gyms in metro Atlanta and I’m often stunned by the scarcity of black women, even in racially mixed locations. That’s discouraging. At my job, in Woodstock, Georgia, the membership is decidedly white, but in almost two years of working there, I have yet to have a black female client. More damning: in my ten years as a trainer, I’ve had one black woman and she was a short term client. But it’s silly of me to think that a person is going to see the benefit of hiring a trainer when they don’t see the benefit of working out period. (More than 58 percent of blacks did not meet federal physical activity guidelines compared to 45 percent of whites, according to the CDC study.)
If black women (and men) are not exercising enough and not eating healthy, is it any surprise that we’re more prone to obesity, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and other afflictions? That we die younger? This problem is about a lot more than just appearance or personal preference when it comes to body type. It’s much deeper and it starts with a mindset, a damaging one that must be changed. I know some of you ladies out there exercise regularly and I commend you. It’s not easy. You have to commit and make the time. I hear excuses every day why someone can’t work out. I don’t buy any of them. You can’t find 45 minutes a day three or four days a week? I’ve had clients with two, three, even six kids that do it. I have a client who runs his own million-dollar company, putting in 60-70 hour weeks. I have another executive who trains with me at 5:30 AM before driving 45 minutes to downtown Atlanta. Please don’t tell me you don’t have time. Please don’t tell me that you can’t work out because it will mess up your hair. Is cute hair more important than a healthy heart and fit body? Please don’t tell me that you’re naturally big-boned and that’s why you weigh 200 pounds. Stop it!
This is a sensitive and complicated topic and I could continue, but I’ll wrap it up here. Just consider this food for thought.
** Overweight and obesity are defined by Body Mass Index, which is height-weight ratio. While it is a common and accepted measure, it is not the best indicator of body composition. A skinfold caliper test and hydrostatic weighing are more accurate assessments.
SPREADING THE HEALTH!
Robert Haddocks is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA.
