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State of the Black Family An interview with Larry C. Harris, MD.
Psychologically, overweight people, especially teenagers, are more likely to have a negative self-image and low self-esteem. Physically, activity is decreased and the person may become socially withdrawn. Yes! The world epidemic of increasing weight is a huge problem and the United States is leading the way with more overweight children than most other countries. Sheer numbers reveal that this enemy has an even greater impact on us as African Americans and should be a wake-up call for action. Obesity is a national epidemic across all races. 65% of all Americans over age 20 are overweight and 30% of those are obese. (Meaning an Individual has a body mass index of greater than or equal to 30.0). However, in the African American community 28.8% of men and 50.8% of women are obese. Wake up my brothers and sisters and remember, an “ounce” of prevention will lead to a “pound” of loss/“cure.” We often say color is just skin deep. If so, why are there some health conditions that are more prevalent in some races than in others? Is it purely genetic, a product of the habits we pass down from generation to generation, or a combination of both? There are some genetic disorders such as sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis that are nearly exclusively in blacks and whites respectively. Obesity tends to “run in families” which suggests a genetic link. Children of obese parents have a 25-30 percent chance of becoming obese. Whether or not this is due to an “obesity gene” as opposed to poor family eating habits and nutrition is not settled. Current research has linked more than three hundred genes with obesity. Hopefully, in the not so distant future, scientist will figure it out. Now let’s get real. Let's say you’re a single mom. You wake up, get dressed, get your kids dressed, grab a quick bite (or maybe you don’t) and you get your kids off to latch key so that you can get to work on time. You work all day, grab a high fat, high calorie lunch; you pick up your kids, you make a quick dinner (or order from a drive-thru on the way home), help with homework, do some housekeeping, put the kids to bed and prepare for the next day. Let’s take it one step further. We all want the best for our families; that’s natural. The reality is though, fresh, healthy food 1) Costs more 2) Is not as easily available in some neighborhoods 3) Takes more time to prepare than processed foods, and 4) Spoils faster. Furthermore, we constantly hear that organic is best, but buying all organic can break the bank. How do we fit healthy, nutritious habits into our fast-paced lifestyles and budgets? What can we do to renew our thinking in the area of health? In our community it’s okay to have “some meat on your bones” and we love our soul food cooked traditional-style. How do we change the cultural image we have we or should we? Soul food “taste good” but too much of it can be hazardous to your life. Consideration of these grim stats will certainly make you think or should make you think long and healthy before you put down forty pork chops. Educate yourself on how to measure the salt and fat content of what you eat. Eat more fruit and vegetables and your body will thank you What are some practical first steps families can take to improve their health? My medical school classmate, James R. Gavin III, MD, PHD, has written a wonderful book entitled DR. GAVIN’S HEALTH GUIDE FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS. Get it! Read it! Apply it! Stop making excuses for not taking better care of yourself and families health. This health mission/battle must start now and it must start at home. (Not only in our individual homes but in our community and church homes as well.) 17.9% of our boys and 23.2% of our girls between ages 6-19 are overweight. And this number has grown over the years. The national average for both sexes is 15.9%. What are the signs to look for that tell us our children are headed in this direction and what do we need to do to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic in our community? Children for most part are a reflection of what we are. If we over eat, snack a lot, and don’t exercise, then are children are likely to do the same. The best classroom is the living classroom.
What about our black men? Studies show that Black American men suffer far worse health than any other racial group in America. Why is that? How do we begin to turn that around? Again, education is the key to opening the door to a better life. Consult and visit you doctor regularly. Listen to your body—don’t ignore symptoms. Read about good nutrition and then make them apart of your life. Remember, the best caretaker of your health is not your doctor but yourself. In what way can health care reform help improve health outcomes in the black community? Is there any good news in the area of Black health? Exercise, eat right, sleep enough, study more and do more in your home as well as in your community to promote the a good and long life. Remember! Your children are watching you like a “hawk.” Dr. Harris, thank you so very much for taking the time to share your wisdom and expertise with us. God bless you, your family, your book and your medical practice! For more health statistics view our Data Sheet... Read Part 2 of this Series on the "State of the Black Family"...
Copyright ©2006 by Keeping Family First. |
Dr. Harris, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, 62% of our men and 77% of our women over age 20 are overweight. The percentage of all Americans who are overweight is 65%. How serious is this problem and how concerned should we in the black community be? 