AFRICANS AMERICAN OBESITY WIDESPREAD ACCORDING TO NEW STUDY

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Obesity Care Week 2023 (OCW) kicked off in late February, with a focus on the disproportionate impact of obesity on communities of color.

Health officials responsible for OCW said racial and ethnic minorities have a higher rate of chronic diseases. African Americans have the highest rate of chronic diseases.

According to recent data, almost 50% of African Americans have obesity, and approximately 4 out of 5 Black women have overweight or obesity.

The causes of obesity are complex, and a person’s access to healthy food, safe places to exercise and play, stable and affordable housing, access to quality health care, and social attitudes about body weight all play a role in whether a person will have obesity. However, communities of color face unique challenges in each of these areas, health officials stated.

For example, in the United States, only 8% of African Americans live in a census tract with a supermarket, while 31% of white Americans have one.

This means that minorities more often shop in small stores or bodegas or eat at fast food restaurants. These places usually have less fresh food and more processed food.

Cultural attitudes about body weight also play a role, with non-Hispanic white women more satisfied with their body size than non-Hispanic Black women, and Hispanic women more interested in losing weight and eating healthy.

Evidence shows that the African American population has less of an impact on existing weight loss interventions, with Black men and women achieving smaller weight losses.

Health officials noted that this suggests that intensive behavioral programs result in lower levels of adherence in Black people than whites.

Founded in 2015, Obesity Care Week has a global vision for a society that values science and clinically based care and understands, respects, and accepts

IMAGINE HEALTHIER, HAPPIER YOUMETABOLISM MAKEOVER

By d-mars.com News Provider

the complexities of obesity.

Organizers have focused on changing the way society cares about obesity and have worked to empower individuals by providing affordable and comprehensive care and prevention programs, increasing awareness of weight bias, and working to eliminate obesity.

Researchers said obesity not only affects overall health, but it also increases the risk of complications from COVID-19.

According to a recent study of hospitalized patients in the US, obesity may also predispose patients to getting the virus and is the strongest predictor for COVID-19 complications.

Unfortunately, African Americans are also disproportionately affected by COVID-19. According to the CDC, 33% of those hospitalized with the virus were African Americans, compared to 13% of the US population.

Inequities in access to and quality of care result in poor overall health and many chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes.

This can affect individuals’ chances of getting COVID-19.

The communities in which African Americans live may place them at greater risk for developing chronic illnesses. For example, they may not have access to healthy foods or safe places to play or exercise.

For people who try to eat healthy, living in a food desert means that they must go to a grocery store. They often must do this by public transportation. These disparities need to be addressed so that all communities have the resources and support they need to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

“Obesity Care Week 2023 highlights the need for comprehensive and inclusive approaches to obesity care that consider the unique challenges faced by communities of color,” organizers stated.

Source: Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

If you’re struggling to meet your weightloss and healthy-eating goals for the year, you’re not alone. Most of us have been there, trying different diets only to feel discouraged and frustrated in the end. But what if there’s a better way to approach weight loss and metabolic health?

Author Megan Hansen, registered dietitian nutritionist, brings over a decade of experience working with clients. Megan is the founder and CEO of Metabolism Makeover, a virtual nutritioncoaching business that has transformed the lives of over six thousand clients. With a focus on weight loss and metabolic health, Hansen has created a simple framework that provides the tools to finally achieve sustainable weight loss and optimal health.

IN METABOLISM MAKEOVER: Ditch the Diet, Train Your Brain, Drop the Weight for Good, Megan strips away the complexity and confusion surrounding dieting and replaces them with a science-based approach to weight loss and healthy eating. By learning about the six key pillars of the Metabolic Ecosystem—blood sugar control, muscle, movement, stress management, good sleep, and a healthy gut—and how to adjust each pillar to fit their lifestyle, readers can master the art of long-term weight loss.

Hansen also teaches readers how to get their subconscious mind on board with change; how to use the informed intuitive-eating approach to predict, manage, or prevent cravings; and how to handle Diet Danger Zones, like vacations and holidays, with her Next Best Choice framework. Metabolism Makeover is not just a book; it’s a complete guide to transforming your body and life. With three days of sample exercises designed to build muscle, activities to add more intentional movement to your day, and ways to heal and improve gut health, this book is packed with valuable tips and suggestions that readers can start using right away.

For readers ready to ditch the diet and learn how their body actually works, Metabolism Makeover will be available on May 2, 2023.

COMPARING THERAPISTS: HOW TO DETERMINE THE BEST MATCH FOR YOU

By d-mars.com News Provider

According to a recent Forbes Health poll, improving mental health was cited as one of the top New Year’s resolutions for 2023. For those seeking a mental healthcare provider, finding the right one can feel much like dating - overwhelming to find someone who shares the same values, meets your needs, and with whom you feel a connection. However, finding an attentive, caring and knowledgeable therapist can pay dividends on your mental well-being. “Working with a provider with whom you have a strong and trusting relationship can have a significant impact on the success of mental health treatment. That’s why it’s important to find someone who aligns with your needs and makes you feel comfortable and heard so you can make progress in your mental health journey,” notes Dr. Shakira Espada-Campos, associate chief of behavioral health at virtual care provider MDLIVE. While finding the right provider can seem daunting, according to Dr. Espada-Campos, there are a few simple things to keep in mind that can help you find the right match:

1. UNDERSTAND YOUR NEEDS FIRST which can lead to a trusting and healthy relationship in the long run. Some questions that may help gauge your compatibility include: What is your training and background? Do you have experience with the issues I am facing? How can we work together to achieve my goals? What does a typical session look like?

When it comes to your initial search, look for a provider that meets your basic needs. First, determine whether you need a psychiatrist or therapist. While psychiatrists and therapists can provide treatment for many of the same issues, psychiatrists are doctors who can diagnose psychiatric conditions and prescribe medication, while therapists are licensed providers who can assess and support emotional or behavioral health concerns through talk therapy. Once you know the type of professional you’re looking for, do some digging into what a potential provider offers. Does their experience and specialty areas meet your needs? Do they offer night and weekend appointments? Doing the research upfront to determine compatibility at the base level will help minimize unexpected issues later.

4. RECOGNIZE WHEN IT’S TIME TO MOVE ON

As with any relationship, the initial stage may be enjoyable, but then you start to get a nagging feeling that something isn’t working. The same can be said for working with a therapist. Sometimes, a provider isn’t the right fit; and that’s OK. If you find that sessions aren’t making you feel better generally, you’re not making progress with the goals you established together, or you feel they are not making adequate space for you, it might be time to find a different provider. No one should be forced to settle in a relationship, romantic or otherwise, if it doesn’t feel quite right.

5.

BREAKING UP ISN’T HARD TO DO

There are many fish, er, mental health providers in the sea, so you shouldn’t feel pressured to stay with one simply because you chose them originally. For example, MDLIVE’s platform makes it easy for

2.

LOCATION DOESN’T HAVE TO BE A DEALBREAKER

Virtual care has become an increasingly popular option for mental health services, as it provides private and convenient access to quality care in a timely manner. In fact, many health plans and employers have expanded benefits to cover virtual mental healthcare services. This has allowed for the “dating” pool to expand, meaning it’s easier than ever to find a provider that fits your needs - even if they’re in a different zip code. Building an ongoing relationship with a virtual therapist or psychiatrist is just as meaningful as it would be with an in-person provider.

3. DIG DEEP ON THE FIRST DATE

Once you’ve found a provider that meets your needs, the first visit can help illuminate further. Just like on a first date, you may be apprehensive of coming on too strong by asking a ton of questions, but doing so offers the perfect opportunity to see whether the therapist is a match for you both on and off paper, you to choose from an extensive list of licensed therapists and board-certified psychiatrists, schedule an appointment, and change your provider at any time if you feel it isn’t quite working out. When you do feel it’s time to cut ties with your therapist, it’s important to be transparent - simply explain to your provider that you plan to end your treatment with them in your next session. This offers an opportunity to evaluate your work together and may also help you reflect on what you might need in a future provider. Recognizing your wants and priorities in a mental healthcare provider can help make the process of finding the right therapist a bit more seamless.

Source: BPT