Another factor that hugely played a role in my battle with obesity is the lack of food education. True, in the seventies there was a lack of food labeling and not nearly as much information about nutrition as there is today. And if there had been as a lower income family we more than likely would not have the resources available to us. Unfortunately, today this is still often the case in many poorer households. I also should mention that blacks and Hispanics are more likely to be obese. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Blacks had 51 percent higher prevalence of obesity, and Hispanics had 21 percent higher obesity prevalence compared with whites.” I feel, separate from the income issue, with blacks there also is a different level of acceptance in the black community for overweight women. Typically blacks embrace a thicker body image: the more booty, the more thighs, the better.
My socioeconomic status, lack of food education, and even genetics certainly played a role in my obesity. However, I won't hide behind those excuses (factors) any longer. I'm a college educated adult, living in America with an abundance of information at my fingertips. I’m taking full responsibility and I'm making smarter food choices, exercising, and saying goodbye to my old childhood nemesis, obesity.
Afterthought: I buy fresh baby spinach leaves and use them as a base for salads, sautéed with garlic, omelettes, and many other dishes. Not only do I love the taste and convenience of spinach, but it also has a ton of nutritional properties, more than most vegetables. It's expensive, though, about $2.29 for a 9 oz. bag. Fortunately, I only have to feed myself and my daughter otherwise I'm not sure if I would be able to afford the fresh spinach. If I had more mouths to feed, I might find myself reaching for canned goods like my grandmother.
