Helping African-Americans Fight Obesity

Combating obesity (a growing problem for African Americans) helps to fight heart disease and stroke. That is the word from the American Heart Association (AHA), which offers free programs to help fight obesity and other heart disease and stroke risk factors. The programs, which the AHA hopes more blacks will start using, reach people in their homes churches and workplace. While obesity has reached epidemic proportions for all ethnic groups in America, rates are particularly high among blacks: 77.3 percent of non-Hispanic black females are overweight and 28.1 percent are obese.

Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.America.s no 1 killer. It occurs when, over time, more calories are taken in by eating than are used up through physical activity. Obesity can end up being the one factor that increases rates of heart disease and stroke in the African American community,. said Augustus Grant, M.D., Ph.D., president of the AHA and professor of medicine at Duke University. .It must be controlled and managed. The one good thing about obesity is that it is preventable, but you have to know how to change your lifestyle. That.s why it is so important for the American Heart Association to provide programs and resources to help people manage their weight and live healthier lives for themselves and their families..

Some free America Heart Association programs that African Americans can participate in include:

Search your Heart -- A faith-based program that educates African American about prevention, including health screenings, workshops and activities.

The Cholesterol Low Down -- A program that offers cholesterol information and year round support to help participants reach their health goals.

The Heart of Diabetes: Understanding Insulin Resistance -- A program to help type 2 diabetes patients reduce their risk for heart disease through physical activity, weight control, nutrition and cholesterol management.

Simple Solutions -- A program that helps women incorporate simple healthy changes into their lives.

For more information on how to reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke and to participate in these free programs call the American Heart Association at 1-800-AHAUSA1 or visit www.americanheart.org.