Obesity and the African-American adolescent in mississippi: an overview

Abstract

Obesity is one of the most common conditions seen in medical practice, and is one of the most difficult to treat. This condition is often perceived as a cosmetic problem, but it is associated with a number of chronic medical conditions including, but not limited to, heart disease, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Youth obesity has increased at an alarming rate in the United States and in other developed countries around the world. Given the high prevalence of obesity among adults in the United States, it is not surprising that pediatric obesity is also on the rise. The current trends in obesity among African-American adolescents in the state of Mississippi remain alarming and disheartening. Since obesity starts in early childhood and extends into the adolescent years and possibly into adulthood, behavior modification is the key to preventing the onset of obesity in all population groups.