Health Impacts relative to Obesity and Excessive Body Weight

Presented by: Health Initiatives Committee Charles A. Christopher, MD Surgeon General Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Life Expectancy (in years) White females 78.0 African-American females76.1 White males75.3 Black males69.0

The Choice is Yours!!!!

“Obesity” “Obesity”

What is Obesity? Obesity is a disease that affects nearly one-third of the adult American population (approximately 60 million). The number of overweight and obese Americans has continued to increase since 1960, a trend that is not slowing down. Today, 64.5 percent of adult Americans (about 127 million) are categorized as being overweight or obese.

Obesity (Con’t) Each year, obesity causes at least 300,000 excess deaths in the U.S., and healthcare costs of American adults with obesity amount to approximately $100 billion.

Obesity (Con’t) Obesity is the second leading cause of unnecessary deaths. –Despite its toll taken in death and disability, obesity does not receive the attention it deserves from government, the health care profession or the insurance industry. –Research is severely limited by a shortage of funds. –Inadequate insurance coverage limits access to treatment.

Obesity (Con’t) –Health insurance providers rarely pay for treatment of obesity despite its serious effects on health. –The tendency toward obesity is fostered by our environment: lack of physical activity combined with high-calorie, low- cost foods. –If maintained, even weight losses as small as 10 percent of body weight can improve one’s health.

Obesity (Con’t) –Discrimination and mistreatment of persons with obesity is widespread and often considered socially acceptable. Did you know? –Obesity is a chronic disease with a strong familial component. –Obesity increases one’s risk of developing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes (type 2), heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease and cancer of the breast, prostate and colon.

Obesity (Con’t) –The National Institutes of Health annually spends less than 1.0 percent of its budget on obesity research. –Persons with obesity are victims of employment and other discrimination, and are penalized for their condition despite many federal and state laws and policies.

What is BMI? Body Mass Index (BMI) is a mathematical calculation used to determine whether a person is overweight. Being obese and being overweight are not the same condition. A BMI of 30 or more is considered obese and a BMI between 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. There are many factors that impact a

Con’t) person’s health risk relative to their BMI such as waist size, smoking, the types of foods someone eats regularly, exercise, and medical conditions associated with obesity including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and coronary heart disease.

“Diabetes”

Diabetes and African Americans Affects 3.2 million or 13.3 percent of all African Americans aged 20 or older. African Americans are almost twice as likely to have diabetes as whites. 1 out of every 4 African Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 have diabetes. 1out of every 4 African American women over 55 has diabetes.

(Con’t) There are two (2) types of diabetes: –Type 1 starts in childhood and is something that a person is born with and has no way of preventing or curing. –Type 1 diabetics need to get regular insulin shots.

(Con’t) –Type 2 diabetes typically starts in adulthood, but more children are now developing it because of the increase of obesity and decrease in exercise. –Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes and the one that’s related to being overweight. –Insulin shots may also be necessary for people that develop Type 2 diabetes but in most cases,Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight, eating the right foods and being physically active.

“High Blood Pressure”

American Heart Association recommended blood pressure levels Blood Pressure SystolicDiastolic Category (Upper Number)(Lower Number) Normalless than 120 andless than 80 Prehypertensive120 – 139 or80 – 89 High Stage 1140 – 159 or90 – 99 Stage 2160 or higher or100 or higher

Risk factors for High Blood Pressure Overweight/obesity Lack of exercise/physical activity Unhealthy diet Stress Smoking or using tobacco products Race: African Americans have higher risk Age: Older than 55 Family history of high blood pressure

(Con’t) Sensitivity to sodium (salt) Polycystic kidney disease ( and other types of kidney disease) Cushing’s disease Medication side effects (e.g. antidepressants, cold medicines, oral contraceptives. Recreational drug use (e.g. cocaine)

Prostate Cancer Some things we should know as African American Men

The Prostate Gland

What Are The Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer Unfortunately, prostate cancer can progress without symptoms or show symptoms that occur with other conditions – as a result, many men with prostate cancer never know it until it is too late!

What Are The Symptoms Major symptoms are: 1. slow urinary flow 2. feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder after urinating bladder after urinating 3. painful urination 4. blood in urine or semen 5. back pain 6. thigh pain or 7. impotence These symptoms can also be caused by BPH (Benign Prostate Hyperplasia), a benign enlargement of the prostate gland. These symptoms can also be caused by BPH (Benign Prostate Hyperplasia), a benign enlargement of the prostate gland.

Commonly Used Steps In Diagnosing Prostate Cancer Digital rectal examination (DRE) Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) Transrectal ultrasound Biopsy

Age-adjusted Normal PSA Range Age (yr)Normal Range (ng/ml) 40 – (0-2.0 for AA & Others at risk) 50 – (0.3.0 for AA & Others at risk) 50 – (0.3.0 for AA & Others at risk) 60 – (0.4.0 for AA & Others at risk) 60 – (0.4.0 for AA & Others at risk) 70 – – AA = African Americans Source: Mayo Clinic

What You Should Know PSA is not prostate cancer-specific. One test out of range may have various causes. The real value of the PSA test is in serialization: Testing year to year and observing the rate of change.

Causes of Prostate Growth (BPH) For most men, during the first 40 years of life, the prostate is on its best behavior. After age 40, many men (approx. 80%) will develop benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is an irritating condition that causes the prostate to swell and interfere with urine flow. Sometimes, BPH leads to urinary tract infections, in rare cases it cause damage to the bladder or kidney BPH is a condition that needs to be treated.

Causes of Prostate Growth (Prostatitis) Prostatitis refers to an inflamed, swollen, and tender prostate. This painful condition can be caused by an infection. Symptoms may include pain in joints, muscles, lower back, fever and chills, and urinary trouble. Prostatitis may be detected by bacteria in the urine. Prostatitis is not contagious, and it can not be transmitted to a man’s sexual partner Treatment is to combat the bacteria and thus stop the infection

Exercise

Exercise Being physically active is like attaching a charger to your battery while at the same time giving your body a complete tune-up. Exercise can change you on the inside and the outside and totally energize you!

(Con’t) Lower the risk of cancers of the colon, prostate and uterus. Bottom line: regular exercise is one of the best things you can do not only to lose weight, but to live a longer and healthier life.

Why should we exercise?

Before starting your active program of exercise and dietary changes, visit your local physician for an overall health assessment!!!!!!!!

It’s up to you!!!!! Lose weight (healthy diet/exercise) Stop smoking Manage stress better Avoid excess alcohol Decrease sodium (salt) intake Take medications only as your doctor prescribes.

Thank you, My Brothers