HEALTH IMPACT OF OBESITY
-
People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, high levels of blood fats, diabetes and LDL cholesterol -- all risk factors for heart disease and stroke. 1
-
In 2015, African Americans were 20% less likely to engage in active physical activity as Non-Hispanic whites.
-
Deaths rates from heart disease and stroke are higher for African Americans as compared to whites.
*Source. Health and Human Services
Obesity and African Americans
-
African American women have the highest rates of being overweight or obese compared to other groups in the U.S. About four out of five African American women are overweight or obese.
-
In 2015, African Americans were 1.4 times as likely to be obese as non- Hispanic whites.
-
In 2015, African American women were 60 percent more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic white women.
-
In 2011-2014, African American girls were 50% more likely to be overweight than non-Hispanic white girls.
*Source. Health and Human Services
Mission
BKM 4 Life – Foundation for Fitness and Health (BKM 4 Life), empowers the community to become healthier citizens by providing resources which educate, encourage and engage members to make healthier food choices and become more active.
Partnerships
BKM 4 Life will also partner with organizations to increase access to and knowledge about fresh and non-processed food options, especially in underserved and underrepresented communities in the St. Louis area.
Vision
BKM 4 Life will inspire the community to
-
Increase physical activity
-
Choose foods which will help to strengthen and nourish the body
leading to
-
healthier weights
-
improvement in health conditions and experiences which are strongly associated with illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and high cholesterol
-
higher satisfaction and quality of life