[Jayla]

I'm not a big daytime tv person, so I don't have a strong opinion about Oprah either way. The other day I happened to be watching her show, and she made a comment about HTN in African Americans that I have some issue with.

She said HTN is so prevalent in the AA community because those that live today are the descendants of Africans that were able to "retain salt and therefore water, so survived on the slave ships" when they were being brought to the Americas.

While this seems plausible to a certain degree, I think it negates a number of factors: rampant poverty in AA community (inability to afford healthy food like produce); lack of availability (in any given inner city neighborhood, where many AAs live, there are more fast food joints and fewer grocery stores with adequate healthy food selections); and most importantly, personal accountability. People choose to eat processed food high in salt and saturated fat content, and what this calls for is EDUCATION.

Not to mention most AA are not only descended from Africans, but a mix of European, Native American and Latin American.

In addition, many AA girls/women don't see themselves as fat when they really are overweight or obese. It's culturally acceptable, even desirable, to be overweight. While we don't want the opposite extreme (anorexia), we need to discourage extremes in either direction.

I feel like Oprah, and her "expert" physician, did a disservice to the AA community by making this comment without qualification. It leaves the average person thinking that their high blood pressure is out of their control, and therefore inevitable. What Americans (not just AA) as a whole need more of is a good dose of personal accountability for their own health.

I'll get off my soapbox--that was just really bugging me!

[I_am_Julia]

I going to assume that either you are extremely misinformed or very secluded.

First and foremost, poverty is NOT rampant in the African-American community. Secondly, it is NOT acceptable to be overweight in the African-American community by any means NOR is it desirable. As a whole, the body image issues are not a major factor because our bodies are different than others and that's what we accept. Inner cities ARE NOT primarily made up of African-Americans.

You might want to delete this entire post because it is full of many misconceptions and negative stereotypes.
SMH @ you.

Originally Posted by Jayla

While this seems plausible to a certain degree, I think it negates a number of factors: rampant poverty in AA community (inability to afford healthy food like produce); lack of availability (in any given inner city neighborhood, where many AAs live, there are more fast food joints and fewer grocery stores with adequate healthy food selections); and most importantly, personal accountability. People choose to eat processed food high in salt and saturated fat content, and what this calls for is EDUCATION.

Not to mention most AA are not only descended from Africans, but a mix of European, Native American and Latin American.

In addition, many AA girls/women don't see themselves as fat when they really are overweight or obese. It's culturally acceptable, even desirable, to be overweight. While we don't want the opposite extreme (anorexia), we need to discourage extremes in either direction.

I feel like Oprah, and her "expert" physician, did a disservice to the AA community by making this comment without qualification. It leaves the average person thinking that their high blood pressure is out of their control, and therefore inevitable. What Americans (not just AA) as a whole need more of is a good dose of personal accountability for their own health.

I'll get off my soapbox--that was just really bugging me!

[I_am_Julia]

In addition, I want to challenge you to visit an African-American book store to get the true make-up of African Americans and Latin Americans because from what you have presented, it is WRONG.

Originally Posted by Jayla

I'm not a big daytime tv person, so I don't have a strong opinion about Oprah either way. The other day I happened to be watching her show, and she made a comment about HTN in African Americans that I have some issue with.

She said HTN is so prevalent in the AA community because those that live today are the descendants of Africans that were able to "retain salt and therefore water, so survived on the slave ships" when they were being brought to the Americas.

While this seems plausible to a certain degree, I think it negates a number of factors: rampant poverty in AA community (inability to afford healthy food like produce); lack of availability (in any given inner city neighborhood, where many AAs live, there are more fast food joints and fewer grocery stores with adequate healthy food selections); and most importantly, personal accountability. People choose to eat processed food high in salt and saturated fat content, and what this calls for is EDUCATION.

Not to mention most AA are not only descended from Africans, but a mix of European, Native American and Latin American.

In addition, many AA girls/women don't see themselves as fat when they really are overweight or obese. It's culturally acceptable, even desirable, to be overweight. While we don't want the opposite extreme (anorexia), we need to discourage extremes in either direction.

I feel like Oprah, and her "expert" physician, did a disservice to the AA community by making this comment without qualification. It leaves the average person thinking that their high blood pressure is out of their control, and therefore inevitable. What Americans (not just AA) as a whole need more of is a good dose of personal accountability for their own health.

I'll get off my soapbox--that was just really bugging me!

[traumaRUs]

I am going to close this for admin discussion as I see it is going to offend a great many people and I truly don't think this is what the OP intended. Will get this either reopened or moved after discussion. Thank you for your patience.

[traumaRUs]

Will reopen this discussion but let's keep it on subject - thanks for your understanding.

[crissrn27]

I was actually very interested in this and did some research. From what I have found, from reliable sources, the OP had the right of it. All of the OPs statements are based in fact, from what I have read. Couldn't find any info on the specific Oprah show you are talking about. If you have a link I would like to read about it. Here is one of the articles I read.
http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/20...02/sowers1.htm

[crissrn27]

Oh, except for the "being overweight is culturally acceptable in African Americans" thing. I didn't find any bases for that. By the numbers obesity is more prevalent in AA, especially in women. But I don't know about it being culturally acceptable.

[MikeyJ]

Originally Posted by Jayla

I'm not a big daytime tv person, so I don't have a strong opinion about Oprah either way. The other day I happened to be watching her show, and she made a comment about HTN in African Americans that I have some issue with.

She said HTN is so prevalent in the AA community because those that live today are the descendants of Africans that were able to "retain salt and therefore water, so survived on the slave ships" when they were being brought to the Americas.

While this seems plausible to a certain degree, I think it negates a number of factors: rampant poverty in AA community (inability to afford healthy food like produce); lack of availability (in any given inner city neighborhood, where many AAs live, there are more fast food joints and fewer grocery stores with adequate healthy food selections); and most importantly, personal accountability. People choose to eat processed food high in salt and saturated fat content, and what this calls for is EDUCATION.

Not to mention most AA are not only descended from Africans, but a mix of European, Native American and Latin American.

In addition, many AA girls/women don't see themselves as fat when they really are overweight or obese. It's culturally acceptable, even desirable, to be overweight. While we don't want the opposite extreme (anorexia), we need to discourage extremes in either direction.

I feel like Oprah, and her "expert" physician, did a disservice to the AA community by making this comment without qualification. It leaves the average person thinking that their high blood pressure is out of their control, and therefore inevitable. What Americans (not just AA) as a whole need more of is a good dose of personal accountability for their own health.

I'll get off my soapbox--that was just really bugging me!

This is exactly why nurses, physicians, PAs, NPs, physical therapists, etc. should all be required to take a class on medical anthropology. All of your stereotypes are simply that, stereotypes. Yes, it is true that the % of african americans living in poverty is higher compared to some other races. However, you must understand the history of african americans and current socio-economic factors. And a povershed lifestyle may lead to many more health problems (and many health populations found among certain races are definitely associated with poverty, access to healthcare, etc.).

However, there is definitely a "genetic" standpoint to HTN among the african american community. Pick up a medical anthropology book one of these days and you will be suprised at the compelling evidence that links the history of the african american race and current health problems. A more compelling link between the socio-economic history and current health problems are among native americans. Native Americans are thought to have a much higher diabetes incidence rate because of socio-economic factors that were inflicted upon them 100 years ago. A similar type of link may be linked to african americans.

I know it is hard to understand this type of subject matter, but I really do recommend you pick up a medical anthropology book (as everyone else), or better yet, take a medical anthropology class. It is pretty interesting to look at these links.

But I would recommend not to voice your thoughts on why african americans are more susceptible to HTN, because they are soaked with stereotypes. I am not african american, but I was shocked by your thoughts on this subject matter, and I personally would be offended if I were AA. However, it just comes from a lack of education on this type of subject matter, so just make sure you read up on such matters.

[Mizzyfrufru]

I did not see Oprah's show as I too do not watch a great deal of television. However I will say this to this: As a black woman I am offended by the OP assumptions and stereotypes of where MOST AA's live, how MOST AA's are shaped/weigh, what MOST AA"s eat.I believe these statements to be offensive and rude. However, I'm at a lost as to what has troubled me the most. the OP's blatant stereotypes which is actually racist or the moderator's actually reopening this post. I would love to stick to the facts if the facts were in fact given. I personally don't believe the story of Africans retaining salts on the slave ships and passing that on to all future ancestors. I would need to research that. I do know that after hundreds of years of eating left overs and food that was given to animals on plantations thier bodies adapted and during that time that type of eating was passed on to offspring. if the Op wanted to deal with the facts he/she would have made remarks based on the comments apparently heard second hand from the Oprah show since he/she stated they didn't watch tv. secondly please do not stereotype and blast your opinions based purely upon ignorance. I do not have HTN, nor DM. I am 5'7 inches and I weigh 138 lbs which certainly not overwieght. I do not live in the inner city, my kids are allowed to eat fast food every 3rd friday of the month. period. Other than to be offensive, I'm not sure why this post was started and for that matter reopened. these remarks were an attack on a group of people based on stereotypical opinions and remarks. No validitiy at all. Shame on all involved.

[NRSKarenRN]

Having worked in a health system with large African American population inner city and suburban Philly area, I understand what Oprah was trying to present and OP concerns, along with seeing my own DH struggles with HTN and now NIDDM.


From: Association of Black Cardiologists 2004 report
http://www.abcardio.org/graphics04/A...l_Report04.pdf

Most African American men and women are more afraid of cancer
(breast and prostate), AIDS and violence than CVD, even though
CVD is responsible for more deaths in the Black community than
all other diseases combined. In addition, those diagnosed with
cancer and diabetes tend to become so preoccupied with addressing
the immediate problem they succumb to CVD because these
risk factors are ignored. While cancer, AIDS and violence are serious
problems that plague our community, we should not underestimate
the impact of CVD on our health and well being. Our first
alert of a CVD problem is often our last. Three out of four deaths
from coronary heart disease occur during the first attack. African
Americans are also more likely to ignore and “tough out” the symptoms
of heart and brain attacks than White

Of particular concern to us is the recognition of the dramatic
increase in obesity in African American women, particularly
teenagers. We live in an era when adult women exercise more than
girls. How about reinstating gym classes? Obesity is approaching
epidemic proportions which has led to a 61 percent increase in the
rate of those diagnosed with diabetes since 1990.

... We must recognize that uncontrolled hypertension and high blood
cholesterol, physical inactivity, obesity, loneliness and isolation,
smoking, frustration and stress, (alone or in concert) destroy our
cardiovascular system. Compared to whites, young African Americans
have a two times greater risk of ischemic stroke and are more
likely to die from strokes. As many as 30 percent of deaths for
hypertensive African American men and 20 percent of deaths
hypertensive African American women may be attributable to high
blood pressure (HBP). HBP continues to be the number one
health problem in the Black community with high prevalence and
low rates of effective treatment. More attention should be paid to
treatment and particularly to compliance with medical regimen.
Compared to whites, Blacks have a 1.3 times greater rate of nonfatal
stroke, a 1.8 times greater rate of fatal stroke, a 1.5 times
greater rate of heart disease death and a 4.2 times greater rate of
end-stage renal disease (ESRD). For these reasons, the ABC continues
to educate the African American community on the devastating
effects of CVD in hopes of dramatically decreasing these statistics.

Click on the links below to learn more about the following ABC cardiovascular education programs:

• CHOICES
• Not in Mama's Kitchen
• REACH for Wellness

*****

New Free ANA Online CE: New Goals for Healthy Blood Pressure
04/16/07

During the American Nurses Association (ANA) 2004 Biennial Convention, a special symposium was held, which focused on new JNC 7 guidelines, The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, for healthy blood pressure. The video presentation made from the symposium has now been posted as an online continuing education module, New Goals for Healthy Blood Pressure, which is being offered FREE to NursingWorld Visitors. Go to online CE catalog...