A Healthy Way to Lose Weight

Alabama Nurse, Dec 2004-Feb 2005 by Shaw, Habiba

Barbour County is located in Southeast Alabama. The county has a population of 29,615 with 50% White and 50% Black. According to Alabama Center for Health Statistics (2003), one in four adults in Barbour County (27.3%) is obese. Obesity is not just a problem in the county. It is practically an epidemic.

Obesity has been identified as a risk factor in more than 30 illnesses including cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, gallbladder disease, gout, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorders, endometrial, breast and gallbladder cancer, infertility, depression, complications from pregnancy, and hormone abnormalities.

Barbour County presently does not have any facility to meet the burden of obesity. This group of people needs opportunities for ongoing holistic health education programs.

To meet the needs of these people, and to reduce obesity, in October 2003, the Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Program (TUCEP) established a partnership with the Eufaula Subway and the local newspaper, the "Eufaula Tribune." A program entitled: "Subway Wellness: A Healthy Way to Lose Weight" was outlined/developed by TUCEP's specialist Dr. Habiba N. Shaw. It was decided that Subway would provide the facilities for the classes, and the Eufaula Tribune would cover all publicity and promotion of the program. To promote the program, the Eufaula Subway pledged to award $1000.00 to participant who lost the most weight.

The classes started with 14 participants on January 13, 2004. After 10 lessons, eight (8) participants lost an average of 10-15. pounds of body weight. One participant was taken off her daily insulin injections by her physician. The moderate weight loss also reduced their blood pressure and lowered blood glucose. Dr. Shaw has been successful in starting a second group. Presently, she is working with thirty (30) new people. Thirteen of the thirty participants are diabetic patients. In addition to the weight loss classes, the program included separate diabetes classes.

The program has been well received. In fact, this has been one of the most successful holistic educational programs ever in Barbour County. The impact of the programs is very encouraging and public interest is overwhelming. There are at least 50 individuals waiting to be enrolled. Approximately 23 people are requesting evening classes. Several requests have been made for similar classes to other communities in the county. Some overweight/obese high school students are requesting to have classes after school. Several participants are bringing their obese children to the class. Requests have been made for cooking classes and walking programs.

Due to the success of the program, TUCEP proposes to expand this program in Barbour County. This program will help to reduce the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and overall morbidity and mortality from obesity related diseases. In addition, reducing the prevalence of overweight/obesity will help to prevent or improve type II diabetes.

The goal of this program is to reduce the proportion of adults who are overweight and obese through the adoption of healthy eating patterns, counseling, and physical activity. The ultimate outcome of this program is to help eliminate the disparity in health status of minorities and other underserved populations in Barbour County.

This project substantiates a comprehensive, long-term, multi disciplinary approach that combines diet, physical activity, and behavior modifications. Because of the complexity of weight loss, gain, and maintenance, promises of quick effortless weight loss are worthless.

This program can also be replicated on the state and national level.

Dr. Shaw is an approved Obesity Education Specialist with the American Obesity Association. She has an extensive educational background and over 20 years of working experience in the area of Nutrition and Health Education. A major part of her present work involves planning and coordinating the implementation of in-service, train-the-trainer, and other professional development training for county educators, nurses, and other health care personnel. Dr. Shaw is also responsible in developing and publishing educational programs, curricula, handbooks, pamphlets, and other articles to promote changes in dietary habits and life styles that reduce the incidence of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and obesity.

For more Information, call Habiba N. Shaw, (334) 724-4525 or (334) 687-2859. Her e-mail address is drtshaw@earthlink.net

by Dr. Habiba Shaw