More Blacks Are Fatter Than Blacks

16 Jul 2009 15:43 Africa/Lagos

New Obesity Data Shows Blacks Have the Highest Rates of Obesity

Embargoed for Thursday, July 16, 2009, at 12 p.m. ET


Blacks had 51 percent higher prevalence of obesity, and Hispanics had 21 percent higher obesity prevalence compared with whites, according to researchers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


Greater prevalences of obesity for blacks and whites were found in the South and Midwest than in the West and Northeast. Hispanics in the Northeast had lower obesity prevalence than Hispanics in the Midwest, South or West. The study, in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, examined data from 2006-2008.


"This study highlights that in the United States, blacks and Hispanics are disproportionately affected by obesity,'' said Dr. William H. Dietz, Director of CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, "If we have any hope of stemming the rise in obesity, we must intensify our efforts to create an environment for healthy living in these communities."


The study uses data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. BRFSS is an ongoing, state-based, random-digit-dialed telephone survey of the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population aged 18 years and older.


The study found that in 40 states, obesity prevalence among blacks was 30 percent or more. In five of those states, Alabama, Maine, Mississippi, Ohio, and Oregon, obesity prevalence among blacks was 40 percent or greater.


For blacks, the prevalence of obesity ranged from 23 percent to 45.1 percent among all states and the District of Columbia; among Hispanics in 50 states and DC, the prevalence of obesity ranged from 21 percent to 36.7 percent, with 11 states having an obesity prevalence of 30 percent or higher. Among whites in 50 states and the District of Columbia, the prevalence of obesity ranged from 9 percent to 30.2 percent, with only West Virginia having a prevalence of 30 percent or more.


"We know that racial and ethnic differences in obesity prevalence are likely due to both individual behaviors, as well as differences in the physical and social environment,'' said Liping Pan, M.D., M.P.H., lead author and epidemiologist. "We need a combination of policy and environmental changes that can create opportunities for healthier living."


For this study analysis, CDC analyzed the 2006 2008 BRFSS data. For more information on obesity trends, tables, including an animated map, visit http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html. To learn more about CDC's efforts in the fight against obesity or for more information about nutrition, physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight, visit http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao.


CONTACT: CDC Division of Media Relations, +1-404-639-3286


/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- July 16/


Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Web Site: http://www.cdc.gov/


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Black Women Ignored by Mainstream Media

NEWSWIRE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF BLACK WOMEN, INC. DR. E. FAYE WILLIAMS NATIONAL CONGRESS OF BLACK WOMEN, INC. DR. E. FAYE WILLIAMSDr. E. Faye Williams, Esq, National Chair of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. (PRNewsFoto/National Congress of Black Women, Inc.) WASHINGTON, DC UNITED STATES 03/12/2009

13 Mar 2009 02:24 Africa/Lagos


Black Women Ignored by Mainstream Media

BLACK WOMEN ARE IN NO MOOD FOR BEING IGNORED BY MAINSTREAM MEDIA

WASHINGTON, March 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Day after day, in all forms of media -- print, radio, and television -- we see, hear, and read the perspectives of non-Black women and women of color who are not actively involved in the struggles of Black women -- especially on so-called 'women's issues'. Well, as Sojourner Truth would ask, Black women are also asking, 'Ain't I a Woman?'," says Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq, National Chair of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc.


(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090312/DC83321 )


"What's with the media? Don't they know Black women and other minority women have ideas, too -- especially when the subject is about women? There are many Black women leaders, and we don't all agree with what others say about issues involving us. Many of us attended the White House ceremony where President Barack Obama announced his White House Council on Women and Girls. Yet, we haven't seen one comment by a Black women's organization because nobody from mainstream media asked us," Williams said.


"To set the record straight," Williams said, "most Black women are very happy with what President Obama has done for women and girls in his first 50 days in office. We are not angry with the President as one major network recently indicated -- and used our photograph in its story to prove it! Do we want more? Sure we do, but we don't expect all of it to happen in the first 100 days. We are pleased with the First Lady and the causes she chooses to lead. We're 'sick and tired of being sick and tired' of being ignored or spoken for by others, and being treated as though others always have the authority to speak for us. Many of us are ready, willing and able to speak for ourselves -- and I am sure Latino women, American Indian women and others feel the same way. While we women have a lot in common, we are not generic or one size fits all. We'd at least like to be asked what we are thinking on all kinds of issues."


"As for Valerie Jarrett," says Williams, "I don't know where anyone got the idea that she's not a feminist because she is. During the campaign, we could depend upon her to be very responsive to issues concerning women and girls. As a single woman, she raised her own child, and was an extremely successful businesswoman. We should be very pleased to have her looking out for us by coordinating the entire Cabinet on behalf of women. It's no secret that she has the President's ear daily. If I wanted someone to advocate for me on anything, it would be Valerie Jarrett. We as women will never succeed if we are always critical of each other instead of working together to advance our common causes."


Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090312/DC83321
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN15
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: National Congress of Black Women, Inc.

CONTACT: Theodore Myles, for National Congress of Black Women, Inc.,
+1-323-545-9044

Hopeless Love As A Metaphor for Despair

Hopeless Love As A Metaphor for Despair

I have been more of a spectator of the different scenarios of the drama of life, as I watch more in amusement than bewilderment, how humans live through the existential realities of life on earth, their battle of wits and instincts to create an ideal society in the development and advancement of human civilization.

I often brood and ponder over how humans act and react in different circumstances and the influences of these circumstances form their experiences in their development in a particular environment.

The culture of nature is full of imperfections and malfunctions as human inhibitions and laws contradict the natural dispositions of their instincts.

All humans are naturally romantic and erotic creatures and respond to their stimuli for sexual pleasures as they thirst for water or want food. But the question of right and wrong causes disruptions as they continue to make corrections to balance the equations of life on earth.

Here is one of my case studies in Lagos, Nigeria.

She is hopelessly in love with an older man since she knew him when she was only six. Now she is 19 and her heart still beats faster whenever she sees him. Her parents like him and he respects them. They see him as a very disciplined and kind uncle, but she wants him to be her lover. She feels intimidated in his company as he is often surrounded by a bevy of beauties, white and black and she would feel outshined by the older women. No day passes that she does not wish to be wrapped in his arms. He has left and ignored her and she has dated boys of her age group, but she has lost interest in them and now feels guilty that she gave her virginity away to one of these boys. She wants Jimmy to love her as he would love his older women, but she is afraid of going to him without what he advised her to preserve till marriage. At 18, she was still a virgin and offered herself to him and thought he would be anxious and curious to deflower her, but he politely declined and did not even embrace or kiss her. She could not believe he would reject her. She has tried to ignore him and forget him, but she has failed. She does not hide anything from him, she gave him access to her only e-mail account, just to show him how honest, and transparent she is. Her parents know she loves him, but they are afraid that he will not marry her even though he has not married any of his numerous female companions who cannot stop loving him. They pray their daughter to find a suitable suitor and get over her passion for Jimmy, but she knows they can never stop the festering thoughts of her unfulfilled love for the only man who makes her feel the depth of her being.


N.B:

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