FOOD/HEALTH/ MIGRATION
analysis
The New York City community has a large number of Latinos, this including the fast growing Mexican population. They often settle in boroughs such as the Bronx. Many of these Latinos are those who have sacrificed their experiences, family, and dignity to seek a better life in the United States. This is a state (and borough) with a varied population who with them carry diverse backgrounds; however, they all share the devotion to find "success." But these communities of (im)migrants are facing detrimental health conditions. According to the Community Health Survey of 2015, many Latinos are suffering with conditions such as weight. Although weight might seem as a simple struggle to improve (or even resolve), weight conditions like obesity have become an epidemic in the Latino community in NYC. As the report demonstrates, "in adult Latino males 27% are suffering with obesity, compared to non-Latino males who are at 21% suffering with obesity." But within adult females there seems to be a larger disparity, in where Latina females are at 35% versus non-Latina females at 22% suffering with obesity." This disparity between Latinos and non-Latinos for both genders, comes to demonstrate the negative influence of this country on this hard-working and honorable community.
Although these health struggles have been common among the entire Latino community, many of the Latino migrants have been some of the most attacked. Individuals who before migrating had experienced a healthier life. In other words, the pressure both economical and social have pushed our (im)migrant Latino community to face unnecessary struggles. Through the multiple interviews I conducted, there was a pattern that portrayed how life within the United States for many Bronx Latino (im)migrants has made them feel as if they have "no time." Many of the (im)migrants repeatly expressed how the jobs routines in this country, would not allow them to have the same healthy and organized scheduled as back in their homeland (Mexico). Another supporter of this was author Macari, as she says "The daily routines described by informants revealed patterns in how they experienced time. Their overnight or late-night shifts and 'off peak' schedules- in which informants worked beyond the nine to five o'clock business day and on weekends- disrupted sleep and meals times...and an increase in irregular snacking (Macari 2013, 121-122). This portrays the accuracy that once these Latino individuals migrate, they are faced with abusive routines that make them sacrifice more of themselves. Also helps demonstrates a connection with the interviews I scheduled, as many discussed how their drastic change in schedule within this country has led them either to skip on meals or increase their snacking.
Furthermore, the major concentration of "success" that many (im)migrants in our communities have developed within their journey in this country, has eventually pushed them to critical conditions. The lack of time that they feel, is caused by the stress this country has put them for the reason that they are foreigners. As many of my interviewees shared that life in the United States overall, for them felt too expensive and that meant they have to work more (more hours and more days). But the more they work, the less time them have for themselves, to prepare a proper "healthy" meal or have an organized eating schedule, later on making them encounter multiple health issues specifically struggles with their weight (for some).
This eagerness to achieve some sort of "success" has been often encouraged by the oppression this country sets on (im)migrant families. The argument is not that Latino (im)migrants are careless of their health, instead their health or lifestyle has been another thing they have sacrificed once they arrived to this nation.
Although these health struggles have been common among the entire Latino community, many of the Latino migrants have been some of the most attacked. Individuals who before migrating had experienced a healthier life. In other words, the pressure both economical and social have pushed our (im)migrant Latino community to face unnecessary struggles. Through the multiple interviews I conducted, there was a pattern that portrayed how life within the United States for many Bronx Latino (im)migrants has made them feel as if they have "no time." Many of the (im)migrants repeatly expressed how the jobs routines in this country, would not allow them to have the same healthy and organized scheduled as back in their homeland (Mexico). Another supporter of this was author Macari, as she says "The daily routines described by informants revealed patterns in how they experienced time. Their overnight or late-night shifts and 'off peak' schedules- in which informants worked beyond the nine to five o'clock business day and on weekends- disrupted sleep and meals times...and an increase in irregular snacking (Macari 2013, 121-122). This portrays the accuracy that once these Latino individuals migrate, they are faced with abusive routines that make them sacrifice more of themselves. Also helps demonstrates a connection with the interviews I scheduled, as many discussed how their drastic change in schedule within this country has led them either to skip on meals or increase their snacking.
Furthermore, the major concentration of "success" that many (im)migrants in our communities have developed within their journey in this country, has eventually pushed them to critical conditions. The lack of time that they feel, is caused by the stress this country has put them for the reason that they are foreigners. As many of my interviewees shared that life in the United States overall, for them felt too expensive and that meant they have to work more (more hours and more days). But the more they work, the less time them have for themselves, to prepare a proper "healthy" meal or have an organized eating schedule, later on making them encounter multiple health issues specifically struggles with their weight (for some).
This eagerness to achieve some sort of "success" has been often encouraged by the oppression this country sets on (im)migrant families. The argument is not that Latino (im)migrants are careless of their health, instead their health or lifestyle has been another thing they have sacrificed once they arrived to this nation.