The 411 on Low Birth Weight and African-Americans

Why so many Black babies are born underweight.

The Health of Black Babies - Did you know that Black babies are more likely to be born premature and have lower birth weight compared to babies born to women from other races and ethnicities? Learn why this disparity exists and what we can do about it. —Kellee Terrell (Photo: ERproductions Ltd/Blend Images/Corbis)

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The Health of Black Babies - Did you know that Black babies are more likely to be born premature and have lower birth weight compared to babies born to women from other races and ethnicities? Learn why this disparity exists and what we can do about it. —Kellee Terrell (Photo: ERproductions Ltd/Blend Images/Corbis)

What Is Low Birth Weight? - Low birth weight is a potentially serious condition when a baby is born smaller than 5 pounds and 8 oz. Most times (7 out of 10) this happens when a baby is born before 37 weeks. The earlier a baby is born, the smaller they most likely will be. Sometimes babies, regardless of when they are born, just don’t grow normally in the womb.  (Photo: FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images)

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What Is Low Birth Weight? - Low birth weight is a potentially serious condition when a baby is born smaller than 5 pounds and 8 oz. Most times (7 out of 10) this happens when a baby is born before 37 weeks. The earlier a baby is born, the smaller they most likely will be. Sometimes babies, regardless of when they are born, just don’t grow normally in the womb.  (Photo: FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images)

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What Is Very Low Birth Rate? - Very low birth rate is when a baby weights 3 pounds and 4 ounces or less. This is more rare, with only 1.5 percent of babies being born this little. Yet, this rate is on the rise in the U.S., says the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.  (Photo: Mel Curtis/Getty Images)

Complications of Low Birth Weight - While a baby with low birth weight can be healthy, for those who aren’t, there can be serious complications. They include: Bleeding in the brain, heart problems, breathing issues, intestinal issues and eyes vessel issues. These babies may also be taken care of in the neo-natal unit. (Photo: ERproductions/Ltd/Getty Images)

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Complications of Low Birth Weight - While a baby with low birth weight can be healthy, for those who aren’t, there can be serious complications. They include: Bleeding in the brain, heart problems, breathing issues, intestinal issues and eyes vessel issues. These babies may also be taken care of in the neo-natal unit. (Photo: ERproductions/Ltd/Getty Images)

Complications After Birth - While low birth babies can suffer complications while in the hospital, they are also prone to complications later in life that include high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. A recent study found that Black women who were born with a low birth weight had an increased chance of developing type-2 diabetes in adulthood. (Photo: ERproductions Ltd/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Complications After Birth - While low birth babies can suffer complications while in the hospital, they are also prone to complications later in life that include high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. A recent study found that Black women who were born with a low birth weight had an increased chance of developing type-2 diabetes in adulthood. (Photo: ERproductions Ltd/Blend Images/Corbis)

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The Numbers - While 1 in 12 babies in the U.S. are low-birth, according to a 2012 CDC report, African-American babies are disproportionally affected. It’s estimated that 12.8 percent of our babies have low birth, compared to 8.2 of Asian Pacific Islanders, 7.6 of Native American/Pacific Islanders; 7.0 of whites. (Photo: ER Productions/CORBIS)

Why Us? - There’s a range of reasons why we are disproportionately impacted by low birth weight. Age, poverty, family history and lifestyle choices all play a role. (Photo: Ariel Skelley/Blend Images)

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Why Us? - There’s a range of reasons why we are disproportionately impacted by low birth weight. Age, poverty, family history and lifestyle choices all play a role. (Photo: Ariel Skelley/Blend Images)

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Lack of Prenatal Care - Not seeking medical care during your pregnancy can play a large role in the health and weight of your baby. Not getting checkups, getting prenatal advice from your doctor, necessary tests and meds if needed is not good for your baby. (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez/GettyImages)

Get Ya Mind Right - Unknowingly, mental clutter has the largest impact on our daily lives. It paralyzes our actions and causes high levels of stress, anxiety and sometimes forgetfulness. The benefit of having a clearer mind is similar to having an uncluttered home: it helps you to think, function and relax more efficiently. Here are 10 tips to help you alleviate the mental clutter, lessen the stress and better organize your thought process. By Dontaira Terrell(Photo: Michael A. Keller/Corbis)

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Chronic Stress - Studies have found that mothers who have chronic stress during their pregnancy are more likely to have smaller babies. It’s also been noted that Black mothers-to-be suffer from higher rates of this type of stress and anxiety. (Photo: Michael A. Keller/Corbis)

Lean on Me - Don’t worry she always has your back! Who else is there to call when you need a shoulder to cry on, when it’s time to celebrate, when you need to vent or when you just need a good laugh. (Photo: Image Source/Corbis)

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Racial and Gender Bias - A 2012 study from Yale found that low birth weight was linked to discrimination against mothers-to-be. This treatment included being called names, receiving worse service than others and being treated with less respect. (Photo: Image Source/Corbis)

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A Woman Cannot Get Pregnant While on Her Period - Yes, it’s unlikely, but it’s not impossible. Sperm can stay inside the body for up to a week and if you ovulate during or soon after your period, you can get pregnant. So be mindful about using contraception. (Photo: Thinkstock Images/Getty Images)

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Age of the Mother-To-Be - Being a mom-to-be under 17 and older than 40 have a higher risk of having a low birth weight baby. A past study found that Black teen mothers were twice as likely to have smaller babies. (Photo: Thinkstock Images/Getty Images)

Stop Smoking - Even lighting up “only at the bar” is enough to cause wrinkles around your mouth, bags under your eyes, and overall acceleration of the aging process. Step away from the cigarettes. (Photo: Bruno Vincent/Getty Images)

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Partying Lifestyle  - Smoking, drinking and doing drugs while you are pregnant can have serious consequences on the weight and overall health of your baby.  (Photo: Bruno Vincent/Getty Images)

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Other Factors - Other risk factors include: Having multiple babies at a time (twins, triplets or more); having had a low-weight baby in the past; high blood pressure and diabetes; cervical and uterine problems and abnormalities; and certain infections in baby and/or mother.   (Photo: Antenna/Getty Images)

Exercising While Pregnant Is Dangerous - Some women just cannot exercise during their pregnancy and that’s one thing. But despite what you’ve heard, if your doctor gives you the OK, you should stay active during your pregnancy. Keep it low-impact if you are not used to working out and always stay hydrated. (Photo: Terry Vine/Getty Images)

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Preventing Low Birth Weight - There are things you can do to prevent having a low-weight baby. During your pregnancy: take care of yourself by not drinking, smoking and doing drugs; take folic acid and other prenatal vitamins during your pregnancy; reduce your stress level with prenatal yoga; and make sure to seek prenatal health care.  (Photo: Terry Vine/GettyImages)