Abstract
The Hispanic population is growing faster than any other ethnic group in this country and has more that doubled in the past 20 years (U.S. Office of Women’s Health, 2008). By the year 2020, it is estimated that Hispanics will be the single largest minority group in the United States. Hispanics are young, with more than one in three being under the age of 18 years (U.S. Office of Women’s Health). Latina adolescents, in California, are the fastest growing population in the United States and are critically at risk for overweight and obesity (US Office of Women’s Health). The purpose for this thesis was to analyze and evaluate the underlying causes and hidden reasons why this rapidly growing population of Latina girls are the second most overweight group in the United States today. The primary factors that this study addressed included how culture, heredity, chronic disease, community, poverty, parents, schools, lifestyle, poor nutritional choices and physical inactivity impact weight and obesity in Latinas, ages 10-15 years. The primary educational research question was: “What are the factors in a convenience sample of pre-pubescent Latina girls that contribute to the overweight and obesity epidemic in this population. The most important secondary educational research question was “How does weight and obesity impact self esteem, body image and self confidence within this population of Latina adolescents?” The data used in this study was collected using quantitative methods of data collection. Quantitative data was collected using a questionnaire that obtained demographic, gender roles, physical measurement and health data. This study utilized a Likert scale survey that looked at participant’s weight, body image, appearance and their relationship to self esteem and peer influence. The Likert scale survey provided an assessment of the participant’s nutritional and physical activity behavior. Findings were presented through percentages. The data was presented using a thematic approach. The key findings from this study, reinforced through extensive research revealed that culture, community poverty, poor nutrition and physical inactivity of both the study participants and their parent’s were major influencers of unhealthy lifestyles, overweight and obesity in this population of Latina adolescents. During this transition from adolescence to young adulthood, the psychological and sociological factors of “the perfect girl syndrome,” cultural stereotypes, media and peer pressure impact self esteem, confidence and body image within this population of vulnerable adolescent Latinas.