Weight, Health, and Race

As a continuation to my last post, an article was published from the NY Times:
Black Women and Fat 

This got me thinking about how race can inform weight and health.  I don't think being thin/skinny is the ultimate goal here - but just to BE healthy, whatever that means to you.  I think as long as we eat healthier and have some physical activity - and also nourish our mental/emotional sides - weight (like age) ain't nothin' but a number.

I did find the Black experience of weight to be informing, and it got me thinking about my own Asian experience of weight - which is somewhat the opposite.  It is about being thin and trim, yet eating as much as possible so as not to offend your parents/hosts.  But in my family, it's all about the white rice, meats, and processed sugary beverages, pastries, and other sweets.  This is not healthy.  And no, Asian sweets are not necessarily less sweet than American's.  And yes, our sugary drinks (juices, teas, soymilks, bubble teas) may not necessarily be carbonated sodas - but c'mon, can you REALLY call it 'healthy'?  And though the average weight of Asians may be less than other races/countries, this is not to say we're healthy either.  Not when parents force their kids to study and stay inside all day - where's the physical activity in that?

Like all things, health is not black and white...(pun not intended - but I like it!)