Livingwell june 2015 final lowres

Full & Fabulous: Inside the Curvy Girl Project Childhood Obesity in Michigan Living Well at an Early Age

Living Well Through Awareness

By Cathy Nedd Chief Operating Officer Michigan Chronicle

Welcome to Living Well. Recognized as the single most credible source of fitness, health and nutrition information for African Americans, each edition is crafted to provide insight into health disparities impacting African Americans and methods of prevention and treatment.

There is a growing need for health awareness in our community.

The mission of Living Well is to provide our readers with a wealth of information that enables them to live healthier and happier lives. On these pages you will find content on health issues, healthy lifestyles and relatable personal stories from people in our community.

According to stateofobesity.org, ”Nearly one in three children in Michigan, ages 1017, are overweight or obese.” Professional Medical Centers’ Dr. Arti Subramanian, who is boarded in pediatrics, raises awareness about the seriousness of the obesity epidemic in our community.

Sharon DuMas Healthy says eating habits and routine exercise serve to benefit the entire family. Full & Fabulous Curvy Girls Project provides young ladies with the tools to understand nutrition and the importance of regular exercise.

This month, Living Well features Full & Fabulous; a non-profit organization that assists plus size women and girls in coping with the peer pressure of being overweight and promotes lifetime habits of good nutrition and physical fitness.

Living Well isn’t just words on a page, it’s a lifestyle and the Michigan Chronicle takes pride in helping lead the way.

Be healthy and Live Well.

Table of Contents

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| Full & Fabulouse: Inside a Cury Girl Project

|The State of the Sate: Childhood Obesity in Michigan

| Living Well at an Early Age

Publisher | Hiram E. Jackson Managing Editor | Tatiana Jackson Graphic Designer | Juan Sifuentes 2 LivingWELL • June 2015

Michigan Chronicle 479 Ledyard St. Detroit, MI 48201 Phone: (313) 963-8100 Ext. 301

Full & Fabulous: Inside the Curvy Girl Project

With so many concerns about overweight children and the impact that the additional weight has on their health, is anyone looking at the effect obesity has on a child’s self- esteem and self image?

Sharon DuMas of Full and Fabulous says she’s doing just that. She is the president and founder of Full & Fabulous International and the Curvy Girl Project. A former beauty director for the Miss Black America pageant, DuMas started Full & Fabulous in 1982, with a vision of promoting health, beauty and self-esteem in plus size/curvy women and girls, ages 9-17.

Full & Fabulous is a non-profit 501C3 organization that assists plussize women and girls in coping with the peer pressure of being overweight and promotes lifetime habits of good nutrition and physical fitness.

Since 1982 DuMas has appeared on numerous local, national and international television and radio talk shows as a pioneer and expert in the field of weight management through culturally appropriate living, which has exposed her concept to millions. She believes that Full & Fabulous is “a state of mind, not a dress size.”

The Curvy Girl Project is a holistic

wrap-around service offering fun and hands-on educational tools for participating youth and their families for complete lifestyle change in nutrition, fitness, self-confidence, examining culture of unhealthy eating habits and creating a support system of peers and community, identifying affordable and accessible supply of healthy foods, healthy snack and meal preparation demonstrations. They also have a hotline for participating youth to share their success and challenges.

All participants receive guided training and counsel in multi-level personal physical and mental health, gain leadership skills needed to become peer educators and participate in the annual “A Rose is Still A Rose Plus Size Debutante Ball.” They meet weekly in select public and charter schools in the metropolitan Detroit area and also meet with the girls on Saturday at their east side location inside the Samaritan Center.

Young ladies who have gone through the program and have shown positive lifestyle change are trained to be youth advocates and educators in raising awareness of issues related to health disparities, measures to address obesity such as nutrition, exercise, self-esteem and shopping healthy.

The mission is to promote lifetime habits of good nutrition and physical activity and to instill the necessary skills and tools for plus sized/curvy girls to achieve and fulfill future aspirations while coping with and handling adversity with grace and confidence. Health, Beauty & Self-Esteem is our focus.

They aim to build character and confidence under the guidance of this program, by offering weekly activities.

Once the individual has completed the

program they will have boosted their self-esteem, learned how to achieve a healthy lifestyle and develop a positive outlook on life.

The program offers classes one hour a week at select public, charter, and private schools in the metropolitan Detroit area and on Saturdays from 11 am to 2 pm. at The Samaritan Center.

Call (313) 331-4929, visit the website at www.fullandfabulous.org or email fullnfabulous@hotmail.com for more information.

The purpose of The Curvy Girl Project is to educate, motivate and inspire plus size/curvy girls to make healthier choices in every area of their lives, learn to love themselves and others collectively and to specifically improve their Body Image and Body mass Index (BMI).

LivingWELL • June 2015 3

Childhood obesity, why it exists and how it can be eliminated The percentage of overweight children in the United States is growing at an alarming rate, with one out of three kids now considered overweight or obese.

Many are spending less time exercising and more time in front of the TV, computer or video-game console. In addition, today’s busy families have less time to prepare nutritious, home-cooked meals.

Dr. Subramanian From fast food to electronics, quick and easy is the reality for many people.

Living Well has partnered with the Professional Medical Center to address various medical issues that impact our community. This month we chat with Arti Subramanian, MD, about childhood obesity and how families can prevent or escape unhealthy lifestyles and habits.

Dr. Subramanian is board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics. She completed her residency at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland and has been practicing at Professional Medical Center in Detroit since December 2013. Her clinical interests lie in the prevention and care of illness, patient education and in the implementation of electronic medical record systems to improve patient care.

Living Well: We have young children today facing serious adult health problems. How did this situation develop?

Dr. Subramanian: Good health is a result of the confluence of various factors – healthy diet, healthy habits, good mental health and an educated populace. In our current state of all these being threatened by lack of financial resources, reliable information and the various limitations of lifestyle, it leads to complications.

This is especially crucial in socioeconomically disadvantaged populations that have less healthy diets and higher disease risk compared to more privileged socioeconomic groups. Cost is a huge barrier to overcome in the adoption of a healthy diet, whether that cost is financial or in regards to time spent preparing the food, and it is hard to find a balance.

Misinformation regarding health issues is rampant and we need education to combat it. We need better nutrition in school. All of this is straining an underfunded and stressed system to its limits already. There simply aren’t enough resources for us to reach the people that need our efforts the most. Children remain the hidden victims of poverty and hunger, and rarely have we made the ef4 LivingWELL • June 2015

fort to change the education we provide them about their bodies, their health, and how to make better choices.

Living Well: Can you give an example of the tragedy caused by childhood obesity?

Dr. Subramanian: Does seeing a 28 year old diagnosed with diabetes count as a tragedy? Does a 30-something young man requiring bariatric or weight loss surgery constitute a tragedy? I see several young people in my practice on medications for high blood pressure or cholesterol for a multitude of reasons, but one thing they all have in common is they are obese.

I have teenagers who are contemplating suicide because high school is hard anyway, but getting teased or left behind constantly is a hard pill to swallow, and the slow speed of weight loss once they make lifestyle changes is discouraging to them.

Girls are starting their menses at younger and younger ages, we’re diagnosing heart disease at younger and younger ages, heart attacks are more frequent in age groups that are considered low risk but their weight and lifestyle place them at higher risk.

There are obese teenagers in my practice that already have “adult” health issues like sleep apnea, fatty liver, glucose intolerance. If that isn’t a wake-up call, I don’t know what else we need to wait for.

Living Well: Can you describe the “perfect storm” health crisis facing America?

Dr. Subramanian: The current obesity crisis is due to complex interactions between genetics, dietary intake, physical fitness and activity, environment and psychosocial/socioeconomic factors. It’s not a relationship that is as well-defined as we need it to be. But while genes and psychosocial conditions are harder to change, diet and physical fitness are factors that are entirely in our capacity to modify.

We live in a world where there is advertising targeted specifically to make high-calorie foods attractive as compared to healthier foods. They are marketed as healthier alternatives with wording that is misleading but not easy to see through. Fifty percent sugar does not mean sugar-free; no trans fat does not mean fat-free, etc.

There are studies that show healthier eating habits cost more money for a family. This makes it harder for families living on a fixed income to justify spending more money on food that does not seem as delicious as the processed versions.

For instance, one of my patients who has the traditional triad of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease

continues to consume fast food regularly because it is cheaper for her to buy a bucket of fried chicken and a large drink with unlimited refills because it feeds all the five people in her family and no one goes to bed hungry for less than seven to eight dollars.

If she were to use that money to buy salad ingredients and dressing and maybe a whole chicken, it wouldn’t stretch that far. How do I tell her to not feed her family?

This isn’t as easy as it looks, honestly, neither for patients or healthcare providers.

Living Well: Is there anything we can do to eliminate the obesity threat?

Dr. Subramanian: We need a solid plan with buy-in from all involved parties — politicians, school, families, healthcare providers, insurance companies, etc. We need to make good health fashionable again.

•Create safe outdoor places for children and families to spend time exercising, walking and playing.

•Meal plans in schools need to be reevaluated to be nutritive rather than caloric.

•Subsidize fruits and vegetables, seasonally may be, to provider better access to healthier foods.

•In an ideal world, fast food would not be advertised targeted to children.

•Encourage families to grow their own veggies and fruits to combat cost; there are studies that show children consume vegetables that they grow more enthusiastically than the ones bought from the store.

•End food deserts — areas without grocery stores and served only by convenience stores — is essential. Most food deserts are located in areas with socioeconomic limitations, making it difficult for our most at-risk populations to access healthy foods.

•Portion control is another issue that is pervasive — excessively large portions that are normalized to us now. There needs to be better oversight of serving sizes in the fast food and restaurant industry for both for children and adults.

Living Well: Should parents be concerned about the obesity epidemic even if their child is not obese?

Dr. Subramanian: Absolutely. Healthy habits last a lifetime. A lot of adults become obese even if they were not obese children because they lack healthy foundations — exercise, healthy foods and portion control. We must teach our children to stay healthy, teach them about their bodies, and how these bodies work — not to glorify weight loss or skinniness, but more to make good physical and mental health and fitness a normal and desirable thing. Good health is not a me vs. them thing, it remains a collective goal and a collective effort from everyone is

required.

Living Well: Is there a link between television time and childhood obesity?

Dr. Subramanian: The less time a child spends moving physically and the more time they spend in front of the TV, the greater their risk of becoming obese. Using the TV as a babysitter is a dangerous trend. Use the TV instead to get kids moving. Get fitness videos and move along to them as a family. Use the commercial breaks in programming to get off the couch and clean for the duration of the break. Dance. Get some Hula Hoops and have fun.

The AAP recommends no more than two hours of screen time for children in a day. Depending on how much time kids spend with computers for schoolwork, I would say we should cut that down to an hour, and use the rest of the time to get them out of the house and playing instead.

Living Well: Why is it important for families to get fit together?

Dr. Subramanian: Anything is more fun when done as a group. Singling out a child is hard on the child, especially if they have self-esteem issues from being teased at school. It shows the child they are loved and accepted as they are, that their family is a place they will find unconditional support. Good habits must be a family routine to normalize them. If fitness becomes a part of a family’s culture, it makes sustained long-term improvements to

the health of that family.

Living Well: Is it important for families to eat together?

Dr. Subramanian: Absolutely. There are several benefits to family meals — physical, emotional, mental, social.

Some of the specific benefits of family dinners for children and teens are: • Better school performance • Higher self-esteem • Increased ability with problem-solving and coping with difficult situations • Lower risk of substance abuse • Lower risk of teen pregnancy • Lower risk of obesity • Lower risk of eating disorders • Lower risk of depression Family meals are more than feeding events. It is often the only time of day for the entire family to connect, create their own traditions and habits, provide opportunities for conversations and non-verbal learning cues. Children get an opportunity to learn teamwork, cooperation and of course, meal preparation — all valuable “real-life” skills.

Living Well: Should children be put on diets?

Dr. Subramanian: This is an interesting question. “Going on a diet” is an idea that conjures images of food deprivation. I think we need to change that. A diet is a collection of food items consumed regularly to provide nutrients and not to deprive one of the same, and defi-

nitely not a restrictive list of foods.

Dieting is restrictive and harmful to the normal growth and development of a child’s brain. Children should be encouraged to explore different foods and eat healthy, fresh, balanced meals three times a day with the occasional treat or dessert.

Living Well: Where should parents start to reduce the threat of childhood obesity?

Dr. Subramanian: Probably the first few steps I would recommend would be: •Make family dinners a daily habit •Make family walks or exercise a regular habit a few times a week •Stop using food as motivation for children; use other non-food things like trips to the park, craft supplies, etc.

•Stop providing sugary beverages, including soda and juice as primary fluids; provide water and milk instead •Decrease the consumption of processed foods and eat more veggies and fruits. Children learn from watching their parents, so parents should model good habits.

To read more of the interview with Dr. Subramanian and to see her recommendations on how busy families can eat better, visit www.michronicle.com . Continue the conversation on twitter @michronicle or Like or Michigan Chronicle page on Facebook.

LivingWELL • June 2015 5

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Childhood Obesity in Michigan

THE STATE OF THE STATE: CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN MICHIGAN

Game Plan

THE STATE OF THE STATE: CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN MICHIGAN •

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Nearly 1 in 3 children in Michigan, ages 10-17, are overweight or obese. This would fill Ford Field to full capacity almost 7 times.5 Obesity in children ages 6-11 years has increased almost 5 fold in the last 30 years.17 Estimated medical costs of obesity in 2008 in Michigan were $3.1 billion and will continue to rise if action is not taken.19 Average annual total health expenses for a child treated for obesity under Medicaid is $6,730. Average annual health cost for all children on Medicaid is $2,446.20

NATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILDREN’S HEALTH, 2007 20 15

18.2 %

16.4 %

15.3 %

10

12.4 %

5 0

OVERWEIGHT

OBESE

CHILDREN 10–17 YEARS OLD MICHIGAN

USA

Some experts warn that this is the first generation that will have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.6 Children growing up today will have more chronic diseases and premature deaths from poor eating habits and lack of physical activity than from exposure to tobacco, alcohol or drugs.21 1 in 3 children born in 2000 are estimated to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in their lifetime.22 In Michigan, obese adults had estimated medical costs that were $1,205 higher annualy than persons of normal weight.19

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL COMPLICATIONS OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY 4 •

Depression

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Poor Self-Esteem

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Bullying

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Behavior and Learning Problems Stress and Anxiety

“The medical expenses and indirect costs asso ciated with obesity place a significa nt burden on a health ca re system that already is overwhelmed and threatens our unsta ble economy.

If something is not done to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic, our next gene ration can expect large r medical bills and a health care syste m less capable of meeti ng its needs.”

THE ROBERT WOOD JO

HNSON FOUNDATION

PHYSICAL COMPLICATIONS OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY 4 •

Type 2 Diabetes

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High Blood Pressure

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High Cholesterol

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Metabolic Syndrome

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Sleep Apnea

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Asthma

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Bone and Joint Problems

6 LivingWELL • June 2015

Michigan Nutrition Standards

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Game Plan

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THE STATE OF THE STATE: CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN MICHIGAN

Nutrition Standards improve the nutritional quality of food and beverages. The Michigan Nutrition Standards address food and beverages offered and sold on the school campus including cafeterias as well as vending machines, concession stands, á la carte snack lines, school parties, school stores, and during after-school events.

States with laws on competitive food* in schools

BMI BOYS: 2-20 YEARS GROWTH CHART

State Law

Competitive food is any food or beverages sold or served to children at school other than school meals such as a la carte snack lines, vending machines, school stores and fundraisers.

KIDS OF ALL SHAPES & SIZES ARE UNDERNOURISHED16 KIDS ARE CONSUMING TOO MUCH: •

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Sugar Sweetened Beverages Cookies, Cakes, Doughnuts Pizza

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Whole Milk French Fries Chips Fried and Fatty Meats

KIDS ARE NOT CONSUMING ENOUGH NUTRIENT RICH FOODS: • •

Fruits Vegetables

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CHILD + 100 CALORIES X 180 DAYS X 6 YEARS =

A HEALTHY CHILD BECOMES OBESE

Whole Grains Low Fat Dairy

Childhood obesity can happen gradually and innocently

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Michigan schools reach over 1.5 million children a day, over 180 days a year.23 Over 196 million school breakfasts and lunches were served to Michigan students last year.24 50% of daily energy intake is consumed at school.25 The Michigan Nutrition Standards emphasize colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low fat dairy, beans, nuts and lean proteins.

Research has shown that healthier students are more ready to learn and have improved classroom behavior.26

Childhood Obesity in Michigan

WHAT IS BEING DONE: NUTRITION STANDARDS IN SCHOOLS

RETURN ON INVESTMENT27 FIT & HEALTHY STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS BECOME ADULTS WITH:

Greater productivity • Lower health care costs • Less absenteeism •

LivingWELL • June 2015 7 16

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