Don't Let Obesity Take Over Your Life--Fight Back!
Date: 04/13/21
Every person should be able to reach his or her full health potential. April is here and so is National Minority Health Month. This makes it the perfect time to raise awareness about the unequal health obstacles minorities face every day.
According to the United States Census Bureau, 39.9 percent of people belong to a minority group. This percentage goes up every year. One of the biggest health problems that unevenly affects minorities is obesity. With the growing impact of obesity on minority communities, it’s up to each of us to find ways to help everyone be their healthiest self.
According to the Louisiana Department of Health, nearly one out of every four adults in Louisiana is considered obese. Louisiana also ranks among the top 10 states in the United States for both adult and childhood obesity. There is no one simple solution to fix obesity in Louisiana. However, there are steps each person can take to help reduce their risk and their family’s risk of obesity.
The first step in combatting obesity is to focus on building healthy eating habits. A good diet is more than just eating healthy portions of foods. It also means eating the right kinds of nutritious foods that contain essential vitamins and minerals. If you are looking for some inspiration, the LSU AgCenter, in partnership with Louisiana Healthcare Connections, created a video series called “Build a Healthy Meal.” These fun videos teach you how to make healthy meals without breaking the bank.
The next important step for fighting obesity is to find fun ways to become more active. Incorporating or increasing physical activity in your daily routine is crucial. Physical activity, when combined with a healthy diet, can help people prevent unhealthy weight gain while also helping them lose weight. Physical activity has many other benefits beyond helping control weight.
Physical activity also:
- Reduces your risk of chronic diseases and other conditions
- Fosters normal growth and development in children
- Improves mental health and overall mood
- Improves sleep and reduces stress
Together, diet and exercise play a major role in managing obesity. However, obesity is a complex condition that may be caused by a combination of factors, some of which may be out of your control. Have a conversation with your doctor about the ways you are working to manage your weight through healthy eating and consistent physical activity. For more information about National Minority Health Month, visit https://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/.