Influence of Race, Ethnicity, and Culture on Childhood Obesity

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The National Center for Cultural Competence at Georgetown University defines culture as "an integrated pattern of human behavior that includes thoughts, communications, languages, practices, beliefs, values, customs, courtesies, rituals, manners of interacting and roles, relationships and expected behaviors of a racial, ethnic, religious or social group; and the ability to transmit the above to succeeding generations ("NCCC: Curricula Enhancement Module Series"). Culture is a significant factor in who somebody is, and what he or she enjoys. Culture tells one how to dress, how to talk, influences what you believe, and also influences one's role in society.
So how is physical activity related to culture? Science has shown that physical activity or physical inactivity levels are consistent among members of the same cultural background. For instance children of non-Caucasian racial backgrounds have a higher change of being over weight than children who are of Caucasian background ("Influence of Race, Ethnicity, and Culture on Childhood Obesity: Implications for Prevention and Treatment" 2212). Many cultures rely on physical activity as a part of their daily lives to survive, therefore these cultures participate in significantly more amounts of physical activity than most cultures in developed countries. Physical Activity can be a way for members of a culture to bond with other members, effectively strengthening the cultures cohesion. If physical activity is integrated into the actions and rituals of a culture, then that culture reaps the benefits. Cultures that do not strategically involved adequate amounts of physical activity are now being exposed to the detriments.
The kinds of physical activity required of a...

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Works Cited
Afghanistan: Weight of the World. Dir. Brent E. Huffman. Perf. Shoib Satar. PBS. PBS, 23 Sept. 2005. Web. 26 Apr. 2014.
"Influence of Race, Ethnicity, and Culture on Childhood Obesity: Implications for Prevention and Treatment." Diabetes Care 31.11 (2008): 1-11. No Records. Web. 26 Apr. 2014.
Kenya: Run Lonyah Run. Perf. Lornah Kiplagat. Frontline/World, 24 Mar. 2004. Web. 26 Apr. 2014. .
"NCCC: Curricula Enhancement Module Series." NCCC: Curricula Enhancement Module Series. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2014. .
The Tarahumara - A Hidden Tribe of Superathletes Born to Run. N.p., n.d. Web. .

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