A celebrity-studded national weight loss campaign targeting African Americans has gotten off to a healthy start.
Headed up by Dr. Ian Smith, physician, diet expert and best-selling author, the “50 Million Pound Challenge” attracted participation from 25,000 people in the campaign's first week and a half.
The effort kicked off Easter weekend on the National Mall in Washington, the first stop on a 14-city tour. Recording stars Patti LaBelle, Doug E. Fresh, Omarion and Yolanda Adams, as well as radio host Steve Harvey and New York Giants star Michael Strahan, made appearances at the event, which attracted a few thousand people despite blustery weather.
“We're excited about the response,” said Mia Jazo-Harris, a media relations specialist with State Farm, official sponsor of the campaign.
People sign up at www.50millionpounds.com, where they plug in their weight and determine their body mass index. Participants can keep track of their progress at the site, which includes a rolling list that records total pounds lost by all dieters. At last count, about 14,000 pounds had been shed.
The 50-million-pound goal was simply formulated: If 5 million overweight African Americans sign up for the challenge, and each one loses 10 pounds, that equals 50 million pounds.
Nearly two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet the epidemic seems to have hit African Americans particularly hard. Eighty percent of African American women and 67% of African American men are overweight and need to lose a minimum of 10 pounds to improve their health and reduce their risk of life-threatening disease, according to the CDC.
Furthermore, about 20% of African Americans between 12 and 19 are overweight. Some already are experiencing related health problems, including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and even early signs of heart disease.
