FOOD/HEALTH/ MIGRATION
Background
In recent decades, the number of (im)migrants has greatly increased within the United States. Areas like New York have experience a large number of Latinos in their communities, across all their boroughs especially the Bronx. Latino (im)migrants who bring diverse cultures into this nation. A community of new (im)migrants who often face shifts within their health. Some of these struggles include weight gain or diabetes. These health problems seem to be following the Latino community; however, it is this nation's society pressure and lifestyle that has caused these health conditions. As the author Viladrich expresses, "...the fact that in addition to having better diets, newly arrived Latino immigrants have lower obesity and mortality rates than the U.S population overall. Latino immigrants seem to present these health advantages even despite their relatively low socioeconomic status" (Viladrich 2017, 59). In other words, the thought that Latino (im)migrants are responsible for such obesity epidemics in the United or other health problems is shown to be inaccurate. It is revealing that instead this nation is the real problem, which seems to be linked to health issues.
The concentration of "success" that many Latino immigrants have encounter in their journey within this country, has pushed them into facing health disorders. To add on, the sacrifices these Latino (im)migrants have been forced to make within this country and the oppression has pushed them to disregard the necessary dedication to their health or more specifically their eating routines. By this, it is clear that it isn't the Latino community to blame but instead the restrictions they have been placed under, which have caused them to dedicate all of their time to other consuming responsibilities.
The concentration of "success" that many Latino immigrants have encounter in their journey within this country, has pushed them into facing health disorders. To add on, the sacrifices these Latino (im)migrants have been forced to make within this country and the oppression has pushed them to disregard the necessary dedication to their health or more specifically their eating routines. By this, it is clear that it isn't the Latino community to blame but instead the restrictions they have been placed under, which have caused them to dedicate all of their time to other consuming responsibilities.
According to Vega, "Similarly, in 2006, 10.8% of Latinas had diabetes compared with 7.5% of all women...Latinos who have lived in the United States longer are shown to have higher (adjusted) rates and incidences of obesity" (Vega, 2009). Such statistics demonstrating, that health complications and such disparities seem to be evident within the lives of many Latino (im)migrants within the United States. However, the question is why are they being targeted by these health struggles? Was is it about this country that is pushing them into life threatening conditions? Their habits are commonly questioned, but it seems as if it is not Latinos responsibility. Instead it seems to be in hands of this nation's pressure, the strong focus to "succeed." The common economical and social pressure causes many Latino (im)migrants to set aside the importance of time management, which later on has negative implications on their health habits.