Dying to Eat in Jackson
time). http://www.bet.com/OnTV/BETShows/heartofthecity/
African Americans are killing themselves, slowly, and quietly, little by little, every day but the killer is not likely to grab headlines.
The murderous weapon is food, and many African Americans are quite simply, eating themselves to death. African-Americans are more overweight and obese than any other racial group and at risk for developing heart disease, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, and certain types of cancer.
TUNE IN SUNDAY at 10 PM/ 9C for HEART OF THE CITY: DYING TO EAT IN JACKSON.
BET News and Star Jones take viewers straight to one of the cities carrying the heaviest burden of this epidemic: Jackson, Miss., in the one-hour BET NEWS special.
“I used to be scared to step out there on the issue of Obesity but I realized that I wasn't being fair because I have a public platform and I need to use it for good," said Star Jones, host of HEART OF THE CITY: DYING TO EAT IN JACKSON.
“I am not the "poster child" for a specific weight loss method but I am a true advocate for adopting a healthy lifestyle because with all humility, doing so has saved my life."
Home to the U.S.’s largest population of African Americans, Mississippi annually weighs in as America’s fattest state. The prevalence of obesity among African Americans in Mississippi is even greater than the national average for African Americans, especially among Black women. And more alarming, increasing numbers of children are being diagnosed with obesity-related illnesses.
“Obesity is a critical issue in our community that has not received the attention it deserves," says Keith Brown, Senior Vice President of BET News and Public Affairs. "It was important for us to focus not only on the problem, but also on the inspiring stories of people taking control of their lives and making positive change in their communities."
Through the intimate story of people fighting obesity, and insight offered by health experts, HEART OF THE CITY: DYING TO EAT IN JACKSON, reveals the socio-economic, cultural, and lifestyle choices that cause so many people in the black community to suffer poor health because of their obesity.
Dr. David Satcher, Satcher Health Leadership Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine; Dr. Aaron Shirley, Jackson Medical Mall Foundation; Dr. Timothy Quinn, Mississippi family physician; Barbara Broadwater and Rita Redd from Mississippi Against Obesity Foundation are among the guest experts who will shed light on the growing problem.
Don't miss HEART OF THE CITY: DYING TO EAT IN JACKSON. Tune in SUNDAY at 10 PM/ 9C.
**Weight loss since June 08**
Congrats on your recent anniversary!!!
I agree with you. I just now realized that my body will stop with the weight loss when it is ready. Just give them the crooked eye and keep it moving.
I have two neices in Jackson. One is morbidly obese. She has several comorbodities and does not take good care of herself. She will tell you in a heartbeat that she is "thick"...such an overused word...aaaarrrrgggghhhh.
**Weight loss since June 08**
My ex-husband is from Jackson - his family is still there - and they are always...I mean...ALWAYS cooking - FAT food! And yes, they are big folks with many health issues. But, I definitely will find this program.
DD
BTW...you are SOO tiny! LOL...it was great seeing you at the party - and thank you for my special gifts!
Donna!!!You know it's been a long, hard road for me. You would think that I would be mentally prepared at what I see in the mirror. I really do appreciate what you and NieceP told me. I love y'all to death!
But getting to the program...it was inspiring to watch them really try to better their situation. Kudos to BET for showing this!
**Weight loss since June 08**
My husband and I watched this special last night and found it very sad. Bruce is 6'4" and weighs 220 lbs, so to look at him he's very slim and healthy. BUT he loves candy, cakes, pies, cookies and wants everything fried and laid to the side. So I asked myself why am I the one who has gained 35 lbs since we met 4 years ago? 
Anyway, I've been after him for a long time to stop with the sweets and especially the fried foods all to no avail. Well after watching this special, today he admitted that he should stop eating so much fried food. He actually ate BROILED pork chops w/ vegetables. The people interviewed made me think of how I was brought up. As children we had to eat everything on our plates B/4 we could drink our Kool-Aid, which is still something I do to this day, and being a big and tall child I was also told since I was BIG-BONED I needed? to eat. 
Please. The special brought it home. It made everyone who I talked to today take a very close look at how we eat. As soon as someone sends out an invite to a party, baby shower, anniversary dinner, etc., the first thing that's asked is, "What are y'all having to eat?" It's awful, but it's the truth, and we as a people need to think what we're doing to our race as a whole. The children in Jackson that are obese, that just broke my heart to see them struggling. But if they re-learn as children, maybe the next generation won't be in the No. 1 spot for obesity.
