Diabetes and the Impact on African American Children

Diabetes is one of the biggest challenges impacting African-Americans. This is because genetics, lifestyle choices, economics and other factors will have an impact in determining if someone is susceptible. In the case of children, their obesity rates are tied directly with the number of cases. The result is that 13.2% of African-American children are affected by the condition. As a result, they are 1.7 times more likely to develop diabetes ("Treatment and Care for African-Americans," 2013). This is problematic, as these challenges will directly have an impact on their underlying levels of health when they become an adult. To determined what is happening requires conducting a literature review. These objectives will be accomplished by looking at the extent of the problem and one possible intervention. Together, these different elements will illustrate the most effective avenues for addressing these challenges in this demographic of the population.

In studies that were conducted by Park (2011) and Peacock (2012), they determined that African-American children are more than likely to become overweight. This is because they are from families where one or both parents are working. They are struggling to make a living and pay the bills for the family. In these situations, the parents are not focused on promoting healthy eating habits and lifestyle choices. To deal with feelings of loneliness, the children will eat nonstop throughout the day. This is how they cope and repress any negative emotions. Over the course of time, the condition can lead to the loss of mobility for the individual or other health conditions (such as: hypertension and diabetes). This is troubling, as studies are showing how 32% of children are obese and engage in very little physical activities. To make matters worse, those who are from homes with working moms are 75% more likely to watch TV, play video games and overindulge. (Park, 2011) This study is quantifying these variables with each other to determine the scope of the problem. It is at this point, when new solutions will be introduced to tackle the primary causes of these problems. (Peacock, 2012)

The prevention strategy will focus on using a combination of the conceptual and behavior models. These approaches help to demonstrate the role of both conditions with the child's ability to overeat. The conceptual model is looking at a number of variables to understand what is negatively impacting the situation. In this case, there is an objective analysis of all variables to understand which children are obese and why. The behavioral approach will identify how the person's thoughts, emotions and feelings will contribute to their obesity. These two disciplines will offer a better understanding of those factors that are influencing children the most.