As Vice Chairwoman of the Herbalife Nutrition Advisory Board, I am especially interested in public health issues such as obesity and malnutrition. And as we commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month in the U.S., I think it’s important to take a closer look at the health issues affecting this particular community.
According to the U.S. Office of Minority Health, the percentage of obese and overweight children and adults is higher in Hispanic Americans than other populations:
- In 2018, Hispanic Americans were 1.2 times more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic.
- In 2018, Hispanic women were 20 percent more likely to be overweight as compared to non-Hispanic white women.
- In 2017, Hispanic high school students were 50 percent more likely to be obese as compared to non-Hispanic white youth.
This is no small matter since overweight and obesity bring along serious health risks, such as being more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, high levels of blood fats, diabetes, and LDL cholesterol – all risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
Social Disparities at the Heart of the Issue
Hispanics in the United States are faced with challenges such as affordable housing and gentrification, the digital divide, lack of trained family caregivers, economic insecurity, and food insecurity.
All of these factors contribute to the higher trend in obesity in U.S. Hispanic populations in several ways:
Lack of access to healthier food.
The availability of nutritious food at affordable prices in the local neighborhood – which is known as the food environment – significantly affects people’s health. According to Unidos US, Hispanic families are more likely to live in areas where access to healthy, affordable food is limited or nonexistent.
For example, counties with large Hispanic populations have a greater proportion of people identified as having low access to grocery stores (29%) compared to other counties (21%). This holds especially true for children and residents who are low-income.
Disparities in access to exercise.
Many people struggle to meet the federal physical activity guidelines, which suggest at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, with at least two days a week of muscle-strengthening activity.
Although some of the barriers are more personal (lack of self-discipline, being tired), some are related to access and social issues: lack of money to invest in a gym/exercise equipment, childcare, lack of a safe and convenient place to do exercise, cost and transportation are often cited as barriers to physical activity for the Hispanic population.
Language and communication challenges.
There may also be some language barriers to mainstream messages about health that aren’t getting through, as well as lack of targeted marketing to these communities. Nearly 6 in 10 Hispanic adults have had a difficult time communicating with a health care provider because of a language or cultural barrier.
When they do, they often turn to outside sources for help, according to a new study conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Along with communication challenges, many Hispanics are also concerned about language or cultural accommodations for people in their community who seek long-term care services.
Coming Together to Support Our Hispanic Communities
As a global leader in nutrition, we partner with organizations that support the health and wellness of our minority communities. The National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA) is an important partner of Herbalife Nutrition because they provide direct services to communities most in need.
We have partnered with NHCOA since 2014, supporting their health and nutrition programs, including residents of their senior housing facility Casa Iris, ensuring they have access to healthy nutrition through ongoing product donations that make good nutrition convenient. Since 2019, that has meant more than 2,200 meals and 5,000 servings of healthy snacks.
Furthermore, NHCOA recently became a partner of our Nutrition for Zero Hunger initiative, through which we continue to support NHCOA’s promotion of healthy aging for Hispanic older adults.
In many respects, the mission and purpose of Herbalife Nutrition and NHCOA align, specifically in the promotion of good nutrition and healthy living. In addition, support of our minority communities is an integral part of Herbalife Nutrition. Together, Herbalife Nutrition and NHCOA are striving to improve the lives of a growing Hispanic population by promoting education about the importance of good nutrition, physical activity, and community support.
Rocio Medina BadianoM.D. – Cochairperson and Member, Nutrition Advisory Board
Dr. Rocio Medina is cochairperson and member of the Nutrition Advisory Board (NAB). She is also a member of the Obesity Society and the American Society of Nutrition. Dr. Medina ran a private practice in clinical nutrition and obesity and served as Monterrey’s government medical coordinator. She was also an associate professor of the post degree of Clinical Nutrition and Obesity at the University of Monterey in Mexico and president of AINCO. Dr. Medina received her medical degree at the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, in Monterrey, Mexico. She also holds two nutrition and obesity postgraduate degrees and a master’s in nutrition and obesity. She loves cycling, practicing standup paddling and cooking nutritious meals. Her favorite Herbalife Nutrition products include Herbalife Nutrition Protein Drink Mix, Herbalife SKIN Collagen Beauty Booster, Simply Probiotic and Herbalife24 Rebuild Strength.