Here she comes walking down the street. That beautiful, dark, shapely black woman. Shapely has become a term that describes the african american woman. However, statistics state that the highest percentage of overweight groups of people are african american women. Nearly 66 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, and of that 78 percent are African American women.

We have to face that fact that America is getting fatter each year. The dieting has caused a very pronounced dependency on their products that if aren't used the individual regains the weight lost. Americans are on an overweight rollercoaster that pauses when it reaches the top and down she goes again.

What Makes the African American Woman Overweight?

African American are becoming overweight for the same reason most Americans are. African American women are eating fast food, unhealthy cooking, and little to no exercise routine. These lifestyle habits have created a large problem literally. Women tend to have more body fat on them than men.

She is still beautiful as she walks down the street but she pauses every few feet to catch her breath. Being overweight can cause many different health issues such as; diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthmatic issues, and heart disease. These health induced illnesses can be crippling and even lead to untimely deaths.

Taking care of the body through better nutrition adds vitality to a person's health and life. Illnesses like diabetes is on the rise amongst overweight and obese individuals. These individuals are primarily African American women as they are the leading population that is overweight.

Nutrition Tips

Many times the home cooked meal is the most unhealthy meal of the day. Here are some tips to gradually change the eating habits and still enjoy the food you cook.

Start each morning with a healthy breakfast. Eat healthy multi grain breakfast bars, oatmeal with a little brown sugar, low fat yogurt, a multi grain cereal with little milk (non dairy is the best).

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables throughout the day. Consume more whole grains such as; oatmeal, brown rice, and whole grain breads.

Try ordering the healthier options such as; grilled chicken instead of crispy chicken, plain hamburger with veggies only (no sauce), and ask for the salad on the side instead of the french fries.

Make it light when using mayonnaise, butter and other condiment products.

Eliminate sweets in the house. If sweets aren't in the house it makes it harder to consume them.

Change cooking styles; bake chicken instead fried, use more herbs and less butter, and less salt always.

Adding Fitness to the Routine

Fitness is just as important as nutrition. Do little things to get fitness into your daily schedule.

Park further away from the door when going to the store or from the entrance to work.

Go window shopping at the mall and walk the entire mall.

Take the stairs when optional.

Begin to schedule in exercise into daily schedule. Walk around a local school track.

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Even though African American women have been the most overweight population with lifestyle changes that can change. Taking the time to find small things to eliminate and others to add will increase your overall health.

Here she comes through the door and she is still beautiful, dark, shapely, and two sizes smaller and all she did was change her lifestyle one day at a time.