Let’s talk about obesity in San Bernardino 

Obesity cannot defeat the Latino and African American Communities

Let’s talk about obesity in San Bernardino
We most likely know someone who is overweight or has obesity. In fact, worldwide obesity has tripled between 1975 and 2016. In 2019 alone, San Bernardino County had an obesity rate of 27.3%. The United States is often ahead of other nations in the number of overweight and obesity cases, with the rates in both adults and children increasing every year.

The numbers 

Below is a chart showing trends in age-adjusted obesity and severe obesity prevalence among US adults aged 20 and over from 1999-2000 through 2017-2018: 

Estimates were age-adjusted using the direct method from the population data gathered from the 2000 US Census age groups 20-39, 40-59, and 60 and over. Access data table at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db360_tables-508.pdf#4 
Source: NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2018. 

In addition, below are charts showing weight statuses of adults in San Bernardino County and California in 2019: 

Source: University of California, Los Angeles, Center for Health Policy Research, California Health Interview Survey  

Obesity affects races and ethnic groups disproportionately 

Obesity affects non-Hispanic Black adults and Hispanic-origin groups in a disproportionate manner compared to White and Asian adults.  

Science and research seem to tell us that differences in obesity rates are due to a combination of genetic factors, economic status, culture, history of racism, refugee/immigrant status, and history of traumatic events.

Even where you live can influence your weight. For example, if you live in an area with very few supermarkets but a lot of fast-food chains, the risk of obesity increases. 

Below is a chart showing age-adjusted prevalence of obesity among US adults aged 20 and over, by sex and race and Hispanic origin from 2017-2018: 

Estimates were age-adjusted using the direct method from the population data gathered from the 2000 US Census age groups 20-39, 40-59, and 60 and over. Access data table at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db360_tables-508.pdf#2 
Source: NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2017-2018. 

Obesity leads to many different negative health effects 

So, what is the big deal about a few extra pounds? Isn’t it healthy for children to be a little chubby as they grow up? The fact is that obesity leads to many different negative health effects such as: 

Additionally, obesity increases the risk of early death 6-12 times the average and is associated with a lower quality of life.

How does it happen? 

Obesity creates chronic inflammation in the body which causes damage to organs. Inflammation comes from the immune system being inappropriately activated to attack healthy parts of the body. It also increases the risk of cancer. Finally, obesity increases the risk of blood vessels becoming blocked with cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. 

Still unsure how this works? Look no further than the COVID-19 pandemic.  

To make matters worse 

There is a lot of stigma, prejudice, and discrimination against people with obesity. This added stress actually increases weight gain. 

Here are community level solutions

CalREACH

The CDC has a national program called the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) which is dedicated to reducing health disparities among racial and ethnic minority populations in the US. In California, the Department of Public Health runs more than a dozen programs from their Center for Healthy Communities. To learn more about the programs, click here. 

El Sol Neighborhood Education Center

El Sol Neighborhood Education Center has provided community health resources for healthy weight loss and maintenance for over 30 years. This helps to address social determinants of health and foster sustainable change with community-driven, culturally and linguistically tailored interventions to diverse populations by our own Community Health Workers trained right here in San Bernardino. To learn more about El Sol’s Health Promotion and Disease Prevention programs, click here. 

Living Whole wellness program at Loma Linda 

For more information about Loma Linda’s Wholeness Institute and on recipes for successful weight-loss both in English and Spanish, visit Living Whole Recipes at llu.edu. 

If you’re curious to know more, Loma Linda weight-loss experts will be discussing how you can prevent and reverse obesity with changes in lifestyle in the podcast link below! 

They will discuss how the following play vital roles in weight control: 

To listen to the full podcast, click here. 

Author bio

Dr. Peter Bastian | MD, MPH, DipABOM, DipABLM
Dr. Peter Bastian | MD, MPH, DipABOM, DipABLM
+ posts

Dr. Bastian serves as part of the core clinical faculty at the Loma Linda University Preventive Medicine and Public Health Residency and is an Assistant Professor at both the Loma Linda University School of Medicine and the School of Public Health. He has practiced Preventive Primary Care, Obesity Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine at the Loma Linda Center for Health Promotion since 2018. Dr. Bastian has been involved in small to moderate-sized RCT trials that involve the synergy of Intensive Lifestyle Interventions and FDA-approved anti-obesity medicines. He regularly mentors medical students and residents in the practice of clinical obesity medicine and has helped hundreds of patients bring their obesity into sustained remission. He is triple board-certified in Preventive Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, and Obesity Medicine.

Catherine "Katelyn" Winter | MD
Catherine "Katelyn" Winter | MD
+ posts
Dr. Winter is a graduate of Loma Linda University School of Medicine and is currently a Preventive Medicine resident and student at LLU, working towards her Master's degree in Public Health with a concentration in Population Medicine. Her passions include Obesity and Lifestyle Medicine in which she would like to become board-certified. She has been designated as Loma Linda's Lifestyle Medicine champion.