MY REPLY TO: Why Are Black Women So Big?

 

Wow, this post (http://thefreshxpress.com/2010/06/why-are-black-women-so-big/)  has sparked a lot of talk about black women being overweight. That is excellent! While I think that she could have used some compassion, it is a serious issue.

I am currently trying to live healthier. But it pains me to see parents setting a bad example for their children. (generations of overweight people) I have stopped buying chips, juice boxes and some processed foods in my house. I have started cooking more veggies and eating brown rice.  I also set aside time  for bike rides, hiking and other physical activity with the whole family. I’m responsible for keeping my family healthy and I take that responsibility seriously!

Yes, the post was candid but necessary, in my opinion.

Lets be real, there is a major problem with obesity in the US.

Please let me know what you think about the post.

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12 Responses to MY REPLY TO: Why Are Black Women So Big?

  1. Josh says:

    I believe the big girl stigma has plagued black women since the beginning of time. A lot of it has to do with genetics and equally as much to do with just carrying about ones body. Then you have those with health issues more than excusable. However there’s always that “fat girl” that takes pride in being fat because they’re to afraid to be anything else. My two cents.

    • cc jones says:

      Why does race have to be associated with weight when clearly every race has its larger people. I hate when people say their not racist, but they comment like you JOSH!

  2. anonymous says:

    I think it’s unfair to focus on black women. Obesity is a problem for both men and women of all races in America. It’s sad but common now to see men with small breasts these days :) I’ve seen obese people in every race particularly in places like the South. My thoughts are that Americans eat way too much. Prosperity has allowed us to choose to dine out which adds more calories to our plates in the end. We don’t eat what we need to eat in order to survive (i.e healthy foods). Instead, we eat what tastes good which isn’t always the best thing for our health. And we sure as hell don’t exercise. Exercise, what’s that 😉 lol

    • Nicole says:

      I agree. At times there seems to be a double standard when it comes to women being overweight versus men. But who’s? After going on vacation at a couples resort, I am starting to believe that we (women) are stressing ourselves out to please other women! Our significant others might just be okay with the extra pounds. I too have noticed the increase in “man boobs” lately, lol.

      But when it comes to obesity, Americans seem to be adicited food! We live to eat. Our portion sizes are crazy! I can remember how pissed I was when I ordered a coke in Italy and it come in a 8 oz glass! We have to do better. Thanks for the comment.

  3. I don’t think it’s unfair to focus on helping women in our community get healthy. The simple fact is black women are too fat. About 60% of us are overweight or obese, including myself. I can squeeze into a size 8 but at only 5’3″ and 150 lbs I am too big. I could drop 20 and I’m trying now. I’m on wieght watchers and I exercise everyday.

    Black women may have inherited a tendency to be big because we have efficient genes. That is, our ancestors endured periods of feast or famine so when calorie dense food was avaialble their bodies laid down fat deposits for lean times. We also have a culture that celebrates “having meat on your bones” and ofcourse there’s the soul food staples. In addition, black women seem to be naturally more curvaceous than women of other ethnicities.

    Black people are not athletic despite the fact that we dominate many professional sports. The average black person does not ski, jog, play tennis, or bike. White people are all over that stuff because its engrained in their culture and because they can afford it. So we don’t get enough activity. We also tend to live in places that aren’t conducive to taking a sunday stroll around the block.

    Be that as it may, obesity is a serious problem for our people who are more susceptible to heart disease, diabetes and cancer. In fact, breast cancer strikes black women earlier and is more likely to kill us. Obesity is a risk factor. Something as simple as cutting out soda pop, fried foods, and eating more fruits and vegetables can help with your weight.

    I don’t drink soda, buy potato chips, frozen dinners, candy or indulge in a lot of alcohol. I’m still struggling, but I was a size 16 headed toward 18. If I can lose 60 lbs (and still counting) anybody can. I have not lost my important assets either. They are just smaller. So no woman should be afraid of that. Unless you go body building crazy or do triathalons, your lady lumps aren’t going nowhere!

    • lookin4treble says:

      Someone posted that African-American women “can’t afford” to be as active as women from other races. How ridiculous is that??? How much does it cost to go for a walk?

      According the National Weight Control Registry, which studies people who have lost 30 or more pounds and have kept if off for more than a year, most who have lost weight and kept it off incorporate some kind of walking in their fitness regime. Walking costs nothing.

      We make excuses for why we’re overweight. While I know there are certain genetic determinants that may make us larger than white women, that doesn’t account for being 30, 40, 50, or even 100 pounds overweight. Yes, some people have metabolic and other health issues. But I’m not talking about them. I’m talking about those of us who KNOW we shouldn’t be eating certain foods and we eat it anyway. Fried foods, sodas, too much beef and pork, heavy sauces, large portions and no exercise will make ANYONE overweight regardless of race.

      At some point, we as black women have to take accountability for our role in the battle of the bulge. If we workout 5-6 days per week and watch what we eat and are still “fat”, THEN we can talk about how much we’re supposed to be overweight. But, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that most overweight black women do not workout most days and make sure they eat less than 2,000 calories.

      • Earl says:

        I will never accept that black women can’t afford gym memberships when they seem to have an unlimited source of funds when it comes to buying fake hair and nails.

  4. Chrystal says:

    I hadn’t seen this article until now, and it’s definitely to the point. As a whole, we do need to learn how to cook healthier foods and be more active, leading our friends and families to do the same. Whether or not black women are more overweight compared to other ethnicities…I don’t know. Are there some negative behaviors that can be changed? Of course. I think the younger generations are trying, but there needs to be a unified voice leading the movement. We’re missing that person to show people how to make those changes work for them.

  5. Momma Jerrie says:

    We as mothers must set an example! My children saw me exercise and eat healthy. Michael still dosen’t like Oatmeal too much because I made him eat it in all forms, cookies, cereal, and yes Little Debbie oatmeal Cakes! (smile) Keep up the good work!!
    Momma Jerrie

    • Michael says:

      You’re mostly right Mom! I have a better appreciation for oatmeal now…but I still don’t like Little Debbie Oatmeal cakes! 😀

  6. Donna says:

    I’m sorry but I have a serious issue with the focus. That post wasn’t about health or human concern. The author was visually disturbed with looks not authentically bothered by health concerns. And apparently so are some here. There’s a difference in living healthy and wholesome and just not being fat. If you live off processed food or just consume them regularly, eat out regularly…you are no more healthy than the fat people you think should be addressed. Fat is not the only indicator of bad health. Its also seen on our health check ups.

    If you are feeding your kids little debbie anything, granola, sugary cereal and prepackaged oatmeals, if you are ingesting coffee, artifical sweeteners and other chemically induced crap you can’t preach to anyone aboutru health and wellness.

    Furthermore I find it interesting food is the only health ill black people bemoan. But we can’t throw a party or event without having a boatload of liquor on hand. We can’t stop drinking till we feel a buzz. Can’t put the weed down when our high goes away.

    The same people who over indulge in one area of life or another feel justified in attacking group on attack right now…black women. What about black men. What about you social alcoholics. What about the sexaholics who can’t due without sex longer than a month. Anything you can’t do without is a problem or addiction. The need for sex, food and exercise are all common to the body. They are all related by the same pleasure center in the brain. And they all have a set limited space in our lives and daily needs. You get the same high orgasming and the same dependence on that rush of dopamine as a fast person overeating does. People worth no self control in one area want to attack someone else’s lack of in another area. That’s hypocritical.ut

    Its okay to screw like a rabbit though sex is killing us (check out the aids epidemic statistics, the black community is most impacted overall). Check out the stats on black women and abortion. Check out the stats on the parental imbalance and volatileness of black make/female dynamics.

    Over indulgence in sex and its resulting consequence is eroding the morale of our community but yet we only focus on what mainstream society hones in on. Fat black women? The same people who refer to women like Serena Williams and MICHELLE OBAMA as fat. This is who you take your que from?

    Yes sisters need to focus on improving overall health. Eating purer, cleaner and closer to natural because that’s what eating was intended for. To nourish and fuel the body. Its not entertainment or a celebratory event. Its a part of sustaining just like exercising should be. And food is not just a fat black woman’s problem we are all guilty. Everyone of us. We’ve turned our children into junk food (by that I mean processed food) addicts. Most of us are alcoholics and caffeine addicts in denial. Caffeine being just as bad as cocaine was when it was placed in alot of american medicinal and beverage products.

    That said…those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw health and wellness advice.

  7. Mac says:

    I was once in a buffet restaurant there were whites and blacks there the whites were at the salad bar the blacks seem to shun it

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