Message from the Health and Wellness Committee

Message from the

Health and Wellness Committee Mu Lambda Health and Wellness Committee (MLHWC)

Mu Lambda Brothers,

March is Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month, National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and National Nutrition Month. Below are some articles of interest addressing these topics. Please click on the links or cut and paste into your browser to read the entire articles.

Health and Wellness Focus on African Americans

Multiple Sclerosis in the Black Population of the United States

Historically, MS was believed to primarily affect white people, particularly those of European descent. Recent research, however, indicates a higher incidence (the number of people newly diagnosed with MS within a given period of time) of MS in Black people than previously thought — consistent with the rate of MS in white people. Black people with MS might also have more aggressive disease progression, greater disability and different symptoms, including more walking, balance, and coordination problems, more cognitive and visual symptoms, more frequent relapses with poorer recovery, and earlier disability onset. Scientists don’t yet know exactly why these differences exist. Clinical trials are looking into answers now.

For more information on MS in African Americans – please click the links below https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/Who-Gets-MS/MS-in-the-BlackCommunity

Highlighting African Americans with Disabilities in Honor of Black History Month 2022

Washington, D.C., Feb. 1 – As we celebrate Black History Month, which takes place every February, RespectAbility recognizes the contributions made and the important presence of African Americans in the United States. It is important to note this includes more than 5.5 million African Americans living with a disability.

Some celebrities and business leaders are using their voice to share their stories, educating people about both visible and nonvisible disabilities.

They are defying the statistics and have remained highly successful with their disabilities. These role models make a big difference in setting high expectations for youth with disabilities. People with disabilities of all backgrounds can be amongst the highest achievers on earth. Harriet Tubman had Epilepsy, actress Halle Berry lives with diabetes, business leader and Shark Tank superstar Daymond John is dyslexic and Stevie Wonder is blind. Poet laureate Amanda Gorman, who had a speech impediment, shared her genius both at the 2021 inauguration and at the Super Bowl. Each of them is a positive role model for success. They are perfect candidates for Respect Ability’s #RespectTheAbility campaign, which is shining a light on individuals with disabilities who are succeeding in their chosen careers.

For more information on disabilities, please visit - https://www.respectability.org/2022/02/blackhistory-month-2022

Diet quality in U.S. African American youth is low: Can preventive diets and better access to healthy affordable foods help reduce risk of metabolic syndrome?

A new study published in The Journal of Nutrition concluded that higher diet quality scores among African American youths were associated with reduced risk of metabolic syndrome.

Diet quality among African American children and adolescents has been shown to be well below the dietary recommendations. From 1988 to 2000, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased from 2.0% to 5.1% in African American adolescents. Dietary factors contributing to this trend include excess total energy intake, reduced intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, and frequent consumption of fried foods and sugar-sweetened beverages. Given the increasing health burden of obesity and metabolic syndrome in African American youth, there is a need to establish the relation of metabolic syndrome with diet quality.

To assess the association of diet quality with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, Vanessa Garcia-Larsen (The John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2005-2016 cycles); a nationwide survey conducted in the United States to assess health and nutritional status. Dietary data were collected through self-reported 24-h recalls. Diet quality was determined using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) 2010 and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) pattern score. Cardiometabolic characteristics included measures of weight, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and blood lipids. Metabolic syndrome was defined as having >2 cardiometabolic risk factors.

In this population-based study of nearly 2500 African American youths, nearly half of the sample classified as overweight or obese. Approximately one-third of participants had low family income or experienced household food insecurity. Diet quality was poor overall, with adolescents eating well below the recommended servings of healthy foods and above the daily limit of unhealthy foods. Greater adherence to a DASH pattern diet was associated with lower likelihood of having a hypertensive blood pressure. The mean DASH pattern score of participants translated to 45% adherence to a DASH-style dietary pattern. By contrast, AHEI 2010 scores were not associated with hypertensive blood pressure but were associated with decreased risk of metabolic syndrome. The mean AHEI 2010 score of participants was equivalent to 35% meeting the recommendations to achieve an optimal diet quality. For more information on National Nutrition Month – please click the link below.

https://nutrition.org/diet-quality-in-u-s-african-american-youth-is-low-can-preventive-diets-andbetter-access-to-healthy-affordable-foods-help-reduce-risk-of-metabolic-syndrome/

For Brothers looking to participate in the Mu Lambda’s Health and Wellness Committee (MLHWC) activities, please contact Bro. Derrick Butts dabutts@mac.com - who is filling in until one or more brothers will step-up/volunteer. Thank you for your participation and support of the MLHWC!

Bro. Derrick Butts