1
Health Promotion and Prevention: Obesity Among Inner City African American
Adolescents
VS
Chamberlain University College of Nursing
NR 222-60033: Health and Wellness
Professor Donna Castellani
8 August 2021
This study source was downloaded by 100000857546843 from CourseHero.com on 02-08-2023 13:19:37 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/103452827/vsmall-WEEK-5-RUA-PAPER-1docx/
, 2
Obesity Among Inner-City African American Adolescents
Gone are the days where children filled the streets playing “red light, green light,”
“double dutch,” or “tag” with friends after school or on the weekends. With the advancements of
technology and young childrens’ accessibility to cell phones and the latest gaming systems,
fewer children are getting physically active in their downtime. On top of that, if we look at
African American adolescents, particularly ages 12-17 years old, living in the inner cities, we see
many fast-food restaurants and advertisements compared to healthy food options throughout
their communities. With these two factors playing a significant role in these youth’s
development, creating an obesity health promotion initiative is a great way to prevent the issue
from occurring and snowballing into a life of chronic health conditions. As you read on, I will
expand upon my selected population, briefly talk about their culture and the role obesity plays in
their community, and lastly, present my health promotion concept.
Description of African American Culture
The term African American is used to describe people of African descent. African
Americans and Black Americans, of the African diaspora, are often grouped together due to
cultural similarities, especially food. African American and Black American standard diets
consist of rich, flavorful, starchy comfort foods. A typical meal may include but is not limited to
macaroni and cheese, rice and peas, mashed potatoes as starches, fried or stewed meat, seasoned
vegetables with a sugary drink, to top it off. This type of eating, in many cases, is due to the
limited availability of fresh, healthy, and affordable food options within the community. In
research from Rieder et al. (2018) they state “while 17% 2-19 year-old children and adolescents
are affected by obesity in the United States, the most severe forms of obesity have increased,
particularly among adolescents and non-Hispanic blacks.” Across America, in your typical
This study source was downloaded by 100000857546843 from CourseHero.com on 02-08-2023 13:19:37 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/103452827/vsmall-WEEK-5-RUA-PAPER-1docx/
Health Promotion and Prevention: Obesity Among Inner City African American
Adolescents
VS
Chamberlain University College of Nursing
NR 222-60033: Health and Wellness
Professor Donna Castellani
8 August 2021
This study source was downloaded by 100000857546843 from CourseHero.com on 02-08-2023 13:19:37 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/103452827/vsmall-WEEK-5-RUA-PAPER-1docx/
, 2
Obesity Among Inner-City African American Adolescents
Gone are the days where children filled the streets playing “red light, green light,”
“double dutch,” or “tag” with friends after school or on the weekends. With the advancements of
technology and young childrens’ accessibility to cell phones and the latest gaming systems,
fewer children are getting physically active in their downtime. On top of that, if we look at
African American adolescents, particularly ages 12-17 years old, living in the inner cities, we see
many fast-food restaurants and advertisements compared to healthy food options throughout
their communities. With these two factors playing a significant role in these youth’s
development, creating an obesity health promotion initiative is a great way to prevent the issue
from occurring and snowballing into a life of chronic health conditions. As you read on, I will
expand upon my selected population, briefly talk about their culture and the role obesity plays in
their community, and lastly, present my health promotion concept.
Description of African American Culture
The term African American is used to describe people of African descent. African
Americans and Black Americans, of the African diaspora, are often grouped together due to
cultural similarities, especially food. African American and Black American standard diets
consist of rich, flavorful, starchy comfort foods. A typical meal may include but is not limited to
macaroni and cheese, rice and peas, mashed potatoes as starches, fried or stewed meat, seasoned
vegetables with a sugary drink, to top it off. This type of eating, in many cases, is due to the
limited availability of fresh, healthy, and affordable food options within the community. In
research from Rieder et al. (2018) they state “while 17% 2-19 year-old children and adolescents
are affected by obesity in the United States, the most severe forms of obesity have increased,
particularly among adolescents and non-Hispanic blacks.” Across America, in your typical
This study source was downloaded by 100000857546843 from CourseHero.com on 02-08-2023 13:19:37 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/103452827/vsmall-WEEK-5-RUA-PAPER-1docx/
