Texas Two Step: Battling Obesity and Diabetes in South Texas

Sometimes referred to as diseases of excess, obesity and diabetes are critical threats to the overall health of America. While these diseases are present around the country, areas in south Texas have been hit especially hard. San Antonio in particular has seen obesity and diabetes cases soar, with 60 percent of adults and 30 percent of children classified as clinically obese.

One of the most pressing issues related to these diseases is known as health disparity. The National Institutes of Health uses the term to describe a health issue that is seen primarily in one population and not in another.The populations more likely to suffer from a health disparity are primarily low income, minority groups.

With diabetes rates in Hispanic populations 100 percent higher than in Caucasian populations, this is especially critical for south Texas. Professionals from all walks of life are leading the fight to educate the public. Physicians and nurses are doing what they can to inform their clients, but that can only happen once people come to their doctors’ offices. Community leaders, teachers, public health officials and trained social workers with a passion for their job are all doing their part.

Nutrition Education

One of the most serious issues affecting south Texans today is nutrition, and this is especially apparent among low income families. Many of these families rely on food stamps, and with a limited budget and an overall lack of fresh and healthy options, a number of these families turn to inexpensive, heavily processed food that is laden with sugar, salt and fat, all of which contribute to obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Social workers and other professionals in the San Antonio area have begun to implement nutrition programs aimed at helping these families make better food choices. However, this process is not without a host of challenges.

Simply providing families with nutritional guides is not enough. The local grocery stores in many lower-income neighborhoods may not sell fresh fruits and vegetables, instead stocking their shelves with the processed food that has been proven to sell. Farmers markets are usually held in neighborhoods whose residents boast a higher income, and transportation to these markets might not be an option.

While the situation is not ideal, social workers and others are committed to their work, and strive to provide the best assistance they can offer in order to win the fight against poor nutrition in the area.

Teachers and Schools Are Making the Grade

Perhaps the most alarming part of this epidemic is the rate at which childhood obesity is growing. In fact, the current generation of American children in many parts of the country is not expected to achieve a life span greater than that of their parents.

San Antonio has recently taken great steps to promote nutritional awareness and exercise into local schools. The San Antonio Mayor’s Fitness Council has been formed to promote physical fitness and healthy eating practices throughout the community.

One of the focuses of this council is the introduction of healthier food choices to local school lunch programs. Studies have shown that children are more likely to select healthier foods when given access to salad and fresh fruit bars. Following a Culinary Institutes of America conference held in San Antonio in 2011, the city worked to use federal funds to install salad bars in 100 local schools, placing San Antonio just behind New York and Chicago as the city with the most salad bars in schools nationwide.

The Affordable Care Act

One of the most important developments in the fight against diabetes and obesity has been the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, or ACA. Social workers and other professionals have long struggled to obtain medical help for their uninsured clients, and the ACA has allowed more people to utilize health insurance coverage than ever before.

When people are able to discuss their conditions and the methods of treatment with a physician or other medical professional they are more likely to use appropriate medicines and follow other guidelines. When those same people no longer have to be concerned about the payment for those services, they’re more likely to form a relationship with a medical professional and seek ongoing treatment. The ACA has allowed social workers and other advocates to feel confident that their clients are receiving quality medical assistance on a consistent basis.

While the fight to save the health of south Texans is far from over, those who are charged with the task are prepared for a long battle. Arming local families with important information regarding nutrition, encouraging area schools to continue providing healthy options for kids and utilizing available medical resources have all made a difference in the overall health of our communities, and we have social workers and other professionals from the San Antonio area to thank for it.