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African Americans and Healthy Weight Management

The concept of healthy weight management has a different meaning in the African American community. However, with the continued rise in the major health risks associated with death and disability it needs to be addressed. The most recent statistics show that over half of the US population is either overweight or obese. Unfortunately, this unhealthy weight trend is even more pronounced in the African American community.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that 60% of African American men and 78% of African American women are classified in the overweight category. Additionally, 29% of men and 51% of women are considered obese. The sad reality is that African American women lead all population groups in being overweight and obese.

Depressed? Please don’t be. My intention is not to make anyone feel guilty about their weight. Rather, I need to accurately and truthfully highlight that weight is a significant factor in the health issues confronting the African American community. African Americans are already at a higher risk for:

• Strokes
• Heart Attacks
• Type II Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure

Being overweight and obese compounds these health issues. My goal is to help you see healthy weight management as a paradigm shift from “DIET” to “WELLNESS!” We all know that diets don’t work so I’m not going to suggest diets. Instead, I’m going to recommend some simple changes that can make a major impact on your overall health. These changes will lead you to healthy weight management.

Cultural Issues!
Weight isn’t a big issue in the African American community. Excess pounds are not viewed in the same way as they are in the Caucasian community. Numerous studies have clearly highlighted this:

• A 1992 study in the International Journal of Eating Disorders compared body images and body-size perceptions among black and white women. White women were more dissatisfied with their figures and viewed excess weight as a negative.
• A University of South Carolina study showed that African American women indicated less of a desire to be a smaller size than did Caucasian women.
• Research from the University of Arizona’s College of Medicine showed that 70% of African American teenage girls were satisfied with their current weight while 90% of Caucasian girls viewed their bodies negatively.

Whether it is a strong sense of self, a matriarchal background, societal battles or a desire for style, excess weight has not been given the same level of focus as it has in other population groups. For most population groups, weight is all about looks and how people perceive them. So they diet and fail because they’re going at it for the wrong reason.

African Americans already have the “look” so they need to continue to stay out of that trap. Instead, they need to focus on healthy weight management because it has a direct correlation to health. It’s not about looking good, rather it’s all about feeling great!

The Paradigm Shift
Very few people will ever be successful with healthy weight management if all they do is focus on dieting. Instead, most people will be successful with healthy weight management if they focus their food choices on improving their health and wellness. Dieting is restrictive, negative, and self-defeating because it always sets you up for failure. The end result is a program that cannot be maintain and leads you back to unhealthy food choices. Unhealthy foods choices will add back all your weight and more.

When you focus on food selections to improve your health and wellness, then a natural byproduct for most people is weight loss leading to healthy weight management. So, the paradigm shift is from “DIET” to “WELLNESS!” Let me illustrate this. The simplest and most direct way most people can make a major impact on their health and wellness, while having a major impact on reducing their weight, is to focus on what they drink:

• Soft Drinks vs Water. The average 12 oz can of regular soda contains 155 calories and 9 teaspoons of sugar. The average American consumes 54 gallons of soda per year. That equals 1.5 cans or 230 calories per day all derived from sugar. There are 3500 calories in a pound of fat. This means that the average American could see a 1lb weight gain every 14-15 days from the consumption of regular pop.
• Now, if you look at this with a “DIET” mentality, then you would say to yourself, “Well, I’ll stop this weight gain by switching to diet pop.” While this sounds logical the sad reality is this doesn’t work. There are numerous studies linking weight gain to diet pop consumption so even though you have reduced your caloric intake you haven’t satisfied thirst or hunger. This causes people to overeat.
• It is interesting that with all we drink, experts estimate that 75% of Americans are mildly dehydrated. Everyday your body must replace 2-3 quarts of water; over 1/2 gallon or more. If the fluid we consume is loaded with sugars and other chemicals, then your liver and body need that water to help detoxify your system. The water cannot go to the rest of the body’s cells causing them mild dehydration which effects metabolism and energy levels.
• A “WELLNESS” mentality would say, “I need pure, odorless water in my system so that I can function at my optimal best!” Water contains no calories, no artificial sweeteners and colorings, and is fat-free, cholesterol-free, low in sodium and not acidic. Water plays a major role in weight loss and weight management. In fact, many regard water as the most significant factor in losing fat because of the effect it has on your overall metabolism. Water also helps your body metabolize stored fat.
• Since water has no calories you can consume as much as you want without weight gain, and it serves as an appetite suppressant. Since it is low in sodium water won’t elevate your blood pressure. Since it is cholesterol-free and fat-free water won’t contribute to clogging your cardiovascular system. And, since it has no sugar water won’t adversely affect your blood sugar level which can lead to Type II Diabetes.
• By changing your paradigm from “DIET” to “WELLNESS” you will see the value of decreasing your soda intake while increasing your water intake. Not only will you begin to feel better but proper hydration will reduce joint and muscle soreness, decrease back pain, improve energy and muscle tone, and help to eliminate mental confusion and disorientation.

This paradigm shift from “DIET” to “WELLNESS” will begin to have a profound effect in other areas of your life. By shifting your focus from appearance to well-being, you’ll start to see the real connection between weight and health. True, long-term healthy weight management comes when you have resolved to make an investment in your health. You will have traded a life with a high risk for disease and illness for one that’s full of energy and stamina. The real question that you need to answer is:

If you choose vitality, then there are a series of articles that will begin to help you make the transition to “WELLNESS!” Articles like:

• The Secret to Weight Loss! When you learn how to apply the secret to weight loss, you will be able to harness the power of this equation to reshape yourself and your life.
• Successful Weight Management Control Hinges on These Two Rules! Weight management control is possible when two key rules are consistently applied. Unfortunately, these two rules are broken the most.
• 4 Basic Weight Management Strategies! There are four basic weight management strategies that can help you turn your existing habits into successful long-term weight loss.
• Healthy Weight Management Suggestions! This article is designed to empower you with several healthy weight management suggestions that will improve your overall health and wellness. Plus, it will have a direct impact on your aging process.
• The Best Anti Aging Advice is Grounded in The 1% Solution! Rooted in biology, The 1% Solution is the best anti aging advice and foundational strategy for helping you slow down the aging process. Plus, it will help you understand why the paradigm shift from “DIET” to “WELLNESS” is so important to the overall health of your body.
• African Americans and Alzheimer’s Disease! African Americans are at an especially high risk for this disease. This article will discuss the reasons why and what steps you can take to reduce this risk.

These articles are designed to empower you to a healthier lifestyle. All of them contain keys to helping you achieve healthy weight management. I hope you enjoy them.

Until next time, may we both age youthfully!

Synergistically yours,

 

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