Race and obesity in the black female population: A scoping review

Abstract

About 40% of the world’s population is overweight. Obesity is most prevalent among social strata with lower income and education. Although the association between sociodemographic factors and weight gain is well documented, few researchers associated obesity with race/color. This article aims to map the extent, scope, and nature of the association between obesity and race in the scientific literature by conducting a scoping review. Data sources were the Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline), Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), Web of Science, Health InterNetwork Access to Research Initiative (Hinari), and Scopus databases, as well as the gray literature. In total, 2,526 articles were found. After duplicates were excluded and inclusion and exclusion criteria applied, 10 articles remained. Race, obesity, socioeconomic status, and gender are tied into a complex relationship whose specificity lies on the socio-historical context. Racial disparities in obesity may be explained by physiological, psychological, and cultural effects of stress due to racial discrimination. Although racial inequality happens everywhere, it assumes different forms. Considering that, further studies should approach regional differences.