"On my life’s journey, I have developed a passion for health, wellness and nutrition and became a certified health coach, personal trainer and urban gardener. I want to advocate for and inspire others especially in the underserved communities to achieve their goals for attaining healthy lifestyles, exercise and good nutrition. Not necessarily in that order.

 

As a proud African American man, it's in this precarious time that we can find the opportunity to create a collective human center effort with others to bring these worthwhile aspirations to reality, in my opinion.

 

Historically speaking, since the typical African American diet involves large amounts of meat, fat and sugar, there is a large risk of health-related illnesses such as obesity, heart disease and stroke resulting from eating this type of diet. African Americans typically choose foods such as fried chicken, barbecued ribs, baked macaroni and cheese, sugary fruit drinks and sweets such as sweet potato pie, which are typical soul food meals. Many ethnic groups have higher incidences of diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and heart disease when compared to the White population. There is another study completed that found that 35 percent of all cancer deaths in the U.S. may be attributed to dietary factors.

 

The study also found that fewer than one quarter of adults consume the recommended five or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables, and minorities consume even less than that. This has contributed to unusually high rates of cancer in African Americans. A recent survey done by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that 88 percent of African Americans ate no dark green leafy vegetables, and about 94 percent had no deep yellow vegetables on any given day of the survey. Most of us fall short of the recommended dietary allowances for vitamin E, Vitamin B-6, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. The report also suggested that 35 percent of their calories came from fat and 12 percent from saturated fat. Nutritionists recommend that 30 percent or less of calories come from fat and less than 10 percent from saturated fat. Also, African Americans have the highest obesity prevalence at 33.9 percent.

 

A holistic approach which includes exercise, good diet, lifestyle, financial freedom and spirituality among others critical factors will play a major role in the longevity of most African Americans, in my opinion. My certified training as a board-certified Health Coach includes a holistic approach to health and wellness which encompasses all of the above. It is my life’s mission to this with people who look like me and others who don’t. We are all in this together. "