HHS has committed $1.2 million toward efforts to reduce obesity in black Americans.
"The obesity epidemic is one of the major health challenges facing our nation, and African-American communities are highly affected by this disease and its health consequences," said HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt in an April 7 news release on the antiobesity initiative.
Studies show obese and overweight individuals have an increased risk of developing serious medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and some cancers.
HHS reports nearly 64 percent of Americans -- 129.6 million people -- are overweight or obese. And, according to CDC data from 1999 to 2002, adult black women had an age-adjusted obesity rate of 48.8 percent compared with 30.7 percent for adult white women. Black children also were more likely than white children to be overweight.
The antiobesity initiative teams HHS with the National Urban League, National Council of Negro Women and National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education. Projects planned by the organizations include prevention, education, public awareness and outreach activities intended to instill a greater awareness of how obesity impacts other health conditions.
"Obesity is a risk factor for many diseases which disproportionately impact minority populations," said Garth Graham, M.D., HHS deputy assistant secretary for minority health. Phase two of the initiative, planned in the near future, will focus on reducing obesity in Hispanic populations.
To learn more about the antiobesity initiative, read the news release, "HHS Launches African-American Antiobesity Initiative."
