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Does Perceived Racism Lead to Weight Gain?

  • Susan
  • June 2, 2009
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Can Racism Make You Obese?

A new study released by the Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University reveals that perceptions of racism can heighten stress levels and lead to weight gain in black women.  The study, which appears in the June issue of the Annals of Epidemiology, suggests that this may be a reason for the higher obesity rates in black women compared to white women.

The study was led by epidemiologist Yvette Cozier, who surveyed more than 43,000 women over eight years, who had their weight and waist circumference recorded every two years from 1997 to 2005.  At the end of the trial, all of the women gained weight, but those who gained the most were those who indicated they felt they experienced the most racism.

Racism was defined as being treated poorly in a retail establishment; feeling others thought them more dishonest or less intelligent; or if they felt they experienced discrimination on the job, in housing or from law enforcement.

According to White Coat Notes, Cozier said she was interested in learning whether there was another reason beyond diet and exercise that could explain why black women tend to be heavier than white women are. Her study did not include white women, so a direct comparison is not possible, but the unique experience of racism appears to be a potential contributor to the difference.

On the surface, Cozier’s study seems plausible, but it could also be stated that anyone who suffers feelings of inferiority, regardless of race or ethnic background, is generally likely to eat more and unhealthier comfort food, avoid exercise and ultimately gain weight and inches around the middle.  That includes being heavy or overweight in the first place.  Blaming “perceived racism”(which is subjective) for individual bad habits is an easy way out.  Plus, there was no white, female control group, which would have added an additional and credible facet to this study, that currently seems to be missing.  


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