African American Obesity and Overweight Reach Epidemic Levels and Raises Concerns About the State of African American Health.

Lifestyle Editors

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 18, 2004

California African American 5 a Day Partners with New Supermarket

that Pledges to Keep Fruits and Vegetables Fresh and Affordable

Facts on African American health, shopping habits, and access to retail outlets were announced today at a Black History Month celebration led by the East Oakland Faith Deliverance Center, a partner of the California African American 5 a Day Campaign. The new research results showed that 65 percent of African Americans are overweight or obese, which can lead to higher risk of death for heart disease, cancer, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

"Based on these alarming statistics, it's more important now than ever that African Americans start confronting these serious health concerns," said Shene Bowie, Oakland spokesperson for the statewide African American 5 a Day Campaign Advisory Council. "Sixty-five percent of African Americans being overweight or obese is disturbing. We need to start making changes now if we want to see our community succeed and survive."

Also discussed was the growing concern of access and affordability to fresh fruits and vegetables. The African American 5 a Day Campaign, in conjunction with the Alameda County Diabetes Work Group, was joined at the Black History Month Celebration by Amani Gazzali from Gazzali's Supermarket, a soon-to-be-opened grocery store that has pledged to East Oakland health officials to keep quality fruits and vegetables at affordable prices, a rarity in low-income areas such as East Oakland.

According to a document just released about access and affordability to supermarkets and fresh fruit and vegetables in low-income areas, there are 30 percent fewer supermarkets in low-income areas than in higher-income areas. Also, when compared to their suburban counterparts, inner-city residents face different food shopping environments, as demonstrated by higher prices, fewer choices, and more focus on tobacco sales, alcohol, and foods with low nutritional value.

"Gazzali's will be an important and essential addition to East Oakland," said Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley. "With healthier food alternatives available, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, the African American community can start making healthy and productive changes in their lives. This store will be a really positive addition to our community."

"This successful collaboration between public health officials, retailers, faith-based leaders and community organizations demonstrates the type of solutions that can make a difference in improving the health of African Americans," said Valarie Scruggs, marketing manager for the California African American 5 a Day Campaign.

The California African American 5 a Day Campaign empowers Californians to consume 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day and to be physically active at least 30 minutes a day for adults and 60 minutes a day for children through faith-based outreach, community education, advocacy and policy development that promote the benefits of healthy eating and physical activity from a cultural perspective. The California African American 5 a Day Campaign is a part of the California Nutrition Network for Healthy, Active Families (Network). The Network, administered in part through the Public Health Institute, employs a broad-based, social marketing campaign to encourage healthy eating and physical activity. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Stamp Program, the Network urges low-income working families to get the recommended five to nine daily servings of fruits and vegetables by taking advantage of federal nutrition assistance programs. For more information, please call 1-888-EAT-FIVE or visit www.ca5aday.com.