Monday, November 12, 2012
Obesity Among Black Women
I live in Nashville. There is an ongoing rivalry between Nashville and Memphis. In black Nashville, we like to think of ourselves as the squeaky-clean brown town best known for our colleges and churches. In contrast, black Memphis is known for its music and bars and churches. We often tease the city up the road by saying that in Nashville we have a church on every corner and in Memphis they have a church and a liquor store on every corner. Only now the saying goes, there’s a church, a liquor store and a dialysis center on every corner in black Memphis. ~ See the complete article by clicking the tab concerning obesity in black women.
This article deals with the cultural struggle that black women have with losing weight. Most black men want a thick (actually overweight, and unhealthy) woman.
In my preaching ministry, I preach unadulterated gospel, I don't pull punches and I don't seek the line of popularity. If I step on some toes, its best because that means they won't be in the isle the next time I come around. Well, it is time to take the same approach with My Campaign Against Obesity.
There is not a group of people killing themselves faster than African Americans and African American women are at the top of the least. As this article states, cultural paradigms have convinced the black women that she is better overweight, but what this paradigm has not taught the black women is that her thickness is killing her. It is shaving years off of her life. It is robbing her of precious time with her grand kids. This paradigm of thickness has not revealed that it comes with greater risk of cancer and infertility. It has not revealed that it robs kids of their parents far too soon. Four out of every five black women in america are consider obese.
Ladies, the culture has lied to you when it told you that genetically you just have big bones. Big bones don't cause diabetes, big bones don't cause cancer, big bones don't cause hypertension.
Ladies, the threat is real and it is not going away. When I counsel people attempting to lose weight I use the same principle as when I counsel others on spiritual matters. The truth is losing weight is just a spiritual as praying. Our bodies are the temple of God, take a look right now today of where you have God living. What have you done to His house. Allow me to make this perfectly clear, this is not about aesthetics; pulchritude has nothing to do with it. If being 5'4" and 200 lbs had no health risks associated with it, I would say go for it, but unfortunately, at that weight you are easily taking 20 years off your life. That's twenty less years with your kids and grand kids. That is 20 less years with your husband, most importantly, it is 20 less years you have to give to the service of the kingdom and that is why you here right now.
I am willing to work with each of you to reach your goals. If for some reason you don't want to work with me, find a competent professional to help you reach your goals. I write school programs and curriculums for health and wellness. I believe that the epidemic of obesity is reversible because I believe in the power of God to transform. What I need you to do is to wake up, and give me a call. I will walk this thing out with you step by step. I have designed a virtual program called VTX-12 that will allow me to effective train you irregardless to where you are.
Ladies, and gentlemen, it is time to step up and take care of our temples. I expect each person that is not at their ideal weight to take their temple serious enough to contact me. No Excuses. ~ Dr. Rick Wallace
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Heart Disease Risk Factors
Heart Disease Facts
From the Center of Disease Control and Prevention
America's Heart Disease Burden
- About 600,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year–that’s 1 in every 4 deaths.1
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. More than half of the deaths due to heart disease in 2009 were in men.1
- Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, killing more than 385,000 peopleannually.1
- Every year about 935,000 Americans have a heart attack. Of these, 610,000 are a first heart attack. 325,000 happen in people who have already had a heart attack.2
- Coronary heart disease alone costs the United States $108.9 billion each year.3 This total includes the cost of health care services, medications, and lost productivity.
Deaths Vary by Ethnicity
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people of most ethnicities in the United States, including African Americans, Hispanics, and whites. For American Indians or Alaska Natives and Asians or Pacific Islanders, heart disease is second only to cancer. Below are the percentages of all deaths caused by heart disease in 2008, listed by ethnicity.4
| Race of Ethnic Group | % of Deaths |
|---|---|
| African Americans | 24.5 |
| American Indians or Alaska Natives | 18.0 |
| Asians or Pacific Islanders | 23.2 |
| Hispanics | 20.8 |
| Whites | 25.1 |
| All | 25.0 |
Deaths Vary by Geography
During 2007–2009, death rates due to heart disease were highest in the South and lowest in the West.
Early Action is Key
Knowing the warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack is key to preventing death, but many people don’t know the signs.
- In a 2005 survey, most respondents—92%—recognized chest pain as a symptom of a heart attack. Only 27% were aware of all major symptoms and knew to call 9-1-1 when someone was having a heart attack.5
- About 47% of sudden cardiac deaths occur outside a hospital. This suggests that many people with heart disease don't act on early warning signs.6
Heart attacks have several major warning signs and symptoms:
- Chest pain or discomfort.
- Upper body pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or upper stomach.
- Shortness of breath.
- Nausea, lightheadedness, or cold sweats.
Americans at Risk
High blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. About half of Americans (49%) have at least one of these three risk factors.7
Several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can also put people at a higher risk for heart disease, including:
- Diabetes
- Overweight and obesity
- Poor diet
- Physical inactivity
- Excessive alcohol use
Protect Your Heart
Lowering you blood pressure and cholesterol will reduce your risk of dying of heart disease. Here are some tips to protect your heart:
- Follow your doctor’s instructions and stay on your medications.
- Eat a healthy diet that is low in salt; low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol; and rich in fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Take a brisk 10-minute walk, 3 times a day, 5 days a week.
- Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit as soon as possible. Visit www.cdc.gov/tobacco andwww.smokefree.gov
for tips on quitting.
Fact Sheets
- Heart Disease Fact Sheet
- Men and Heart Disease
- Women and Heart Disease
- Atrial Fibrillation Fact Sheet
- Heart Failure Fact Sheet
- Know the Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack
- Cholesterol Fact Sheet
- High Blood Pressure Fact Sheet
- Pulmonary Hypertension Fact Sheet
References
[PDF-2M]Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Exercise and Type 2 Diabetes
Exercise and Type 2 Diabetes
The incidence of type 2 diabetes is on the rise, which experts largely attribute to the rise in obesity. Type 2 diabetes, which is responsible for 90 to 95% of all diabetes cases, is more common in adults, but as rates of childhood obesity increase, more young children are being diagnosed with the disease. The good news is that simple lifestyle changes can prevent and, in some cases, counter the course of this disease.Type 2 Diabetes Explained
Following digestion, a hormone called insulin is released into the blood from the pancreas. Among insulin’s primary roles is its ability to allow carbohydrates (absorbed in the form of glucose) and proteins to enter muscle cells, where they are stored or used for energy. With type 2 diabetes, some insulin is produced, but the body does not effectively use it. This condition is known as “insulin resistance” and prohibits glucose from entering the cells. In turn, blood glucose rises to abnormal levels in the blood. If unchecked for extended periods, elevated glucose levels lead to heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and nerve dysfunction.
Type 2 diabetes is strongly linked to lifestyle factors, especially diet and exercise. People at highest risk of developing type 2 diabetes have a family history, as well as other cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
However, the same techniques that are used for prevention of this disease—a healthy diet and regular exercise—can be used to control and possibly reverse its progression.
Exercise Can Help
The latest research has put exercise at the forefront in the prevention, control and treatment of diabetes because it decreases insulin resistance. Following regular exercise training, cells can better respond to insulin and effectively take glucose out of the blood and into the cell. Exercise also helps to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease by decreasing blood pressure, cholesterol levels and body fat.
Exercise Recommendations
If you have type 2 diabetes, you should adhere to the following exercise guidelines:
- Always consult with your physician before starting any exercise program to determine the potential risks associated with exercise.
- Cardiovascular exercise—Strive to accumulate a minimum of 1,000 kcal expended through physical activity each week. Pending current conditioning levels, this may require three to seven days per week of low-to-moderate intensity exercise for 20 to 60 minutes (walking and other non-weightbearing activities such as water aerobics and cycling are good choices). Daily exercise is highly recommended.
- Resistance training—Perform resistance-training activities at least two days per week, targeting the major muscle groups. Complete a minimum of one set of 10 to 15 repetitions of each exercise at a low-to-moderate intensity.
- Flexibility—Perform stretching exercises at least two to three days per week, stretching major muscle groups to the point of tension (not pain) for 15 to 30 seconds. Complete two to four repetitions of each stretch.
- The ultimate goal is to expend a minimum of 1,000 calories per week via physical activity for health benefits, or 2,000 calories per week for weight loss. Keep in mind that these are goals that you should work up to gradually over time.
What are the precautions?
If you have type 2 diabetes, you must monitor your glucose before and after exercise to understand how you respond to certain types of activities. Also, exercising with a partner and wearing an ID bracelet indicating one’s diabetic condition are very important.
Finally, don’t forget to check with your physician prior to beginning a physical-activity program and return regularly to assess the diabetic complications. If complications of the eyes, kidney or heart are present, your physician should provide you with clear boundaries regarding the intensity of any physical activity.
Additional Resources
American Diabetes Association—Exercise: www.diabetes.org/weightloss-and-exercise/exercise/overview.jsp/
Centers for Disease Control—Exercise and Diabetes:www.cdc.gov/diabetes/faq/exercise.htm/
Mayo Clinic—Diabetes and Exercise: www.mayo_clinic.com/health/diabetes-and-exercise/DA00036/
Centers for Disease Control—Exercise and Diabetes:www.cdc.gov/diabetes/faq/exercise.htm/
Mayo Clinic—Diabetes and Exercise: www.mayo_clinic.com/health/diabetes-and-exercise/DA00036/
Primary Source
American Council on Fitness: http://www.acefitness.org/fitfacts/fitfacts_display.aspx?itemid=2608
Thursday, November 1, 2012
It's Time to Live
“It turns out that 70% of American aging is not real aging. It’s just decay. It’s rot from the stuff that we do. All the lifestyle diseases … the diabetes, the obesity, the heart disease, much of the Alzheimer’s, lots of the cancers, and almost all of the osteoporosis, those are all decay. Nature doesn’t have that in store for any of us. We go out and buy it off the rack.” ~ Dr. Henry Lodge
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