Research on Obesity/Obesity and Strokes Part 1
A question that has bothered me in my research on obesity and strokes is why are hispanics more prone to strokes than whites? In my research, I came across this brilliant article called, “Hispanics and Obesity - The Worrying Truth.”
In the article, Alan Cooper explores areas I never thought of.
He suggests that new immigrants who have come from backgrounds where, unlike here, food is not in abundance, when they arrive and see the abundance and the cheap prices at fast food joints, etc. they naturally over indulge.
That’s understandable! You’d want to taste everything there is…and more than once! Rather like being at Baskin Robbins! Who hasn’t stood in a Baskin Robbins and not wanted to taste every flavour there is…and more than once! :]
Cooper also explains how the “lack of food” background develops into the “bigger is better” myth…a fat baby means a healthy baby.
It’s a concept not limited to new immigrants. It’s a part of every culture.
Anyway, let’s look at the big picture. What are the 3 biggest risk factors for stroke? High blood pressure, obesity, diabetes.
Obesity comes from eating crap for food. In other words, everything that isn’t good for you. What is obesity? A risk factor for a stroke.
Eating the wrong foods leads to high blood pressure. What is high blood pressure? A risk factor for a stroke.
If you’re obese - you’re also the perfect candidate for diabetes. When I worked for SSD, everyone who filed for disability due to diabetes were all obese. What is diabetes? A risk factor for a stroke.
Makes you want to lose weight, doesn’t it? One of the best ways a person, whether hispanic or otherwise can reduce their risk of a stroke is to lose weight.
Losing weight will not only lower your risk for a stroke, but also lower your blood pressure, and lower your risk for diabetes.
Check out Cooper’s article for more on hispanics and obesity and check back tomorrow for Part 2 to learn more about the risk factors for stroke and what you can do about it.
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