Environmental changes may be needed for prevention of overweight in minority children

In minority populations, those who do not maintain normal weight outnumber those who do; thus, overweight is often the community norm. Compared to many white populations, minority populations are transitioning from poverty, food scarcity, and jobs that require significant amounts of energy expenditure. This may mean food and activity habits of both black and Latino populations may have been developed during a more physically-active era. Caloric restriction and leisure-time physical activity are not routine in minority communities. In these communities, there are often few supermarkets that carry fresh produce, many fast food establishments and small grocery stores that sell high-fat, energy-dense foods, and high neighborhood crime rates that discourage outdoor activities and limit safe places for walking and bicycling, including school routes. Although specific dietary and activity behaviors related to weight control ultimately are undertaken by individuals, our current environment makes such individual choices difficult when it contains substantial barriers to establishing healthy lifestyles. Substantial environmental changes need to be made, especially in minority communities.