Health In Your Hands October 2013

T O U G A L O O C O L L E G E O W E N S H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S C E N T E R In Your HealthHands Tougaloo College Owens Health and Wellness Center through partnerships and collaborations aims to reduce the incidence of obesity and related chronic diseases at Tougaloo College and in the surrounding community by creating a culture of health and wellness. A Q uarte rl y N ew s l e tte r Soul Food Junkies! The Community Health Film and Discussion series examines the African American community’s love affair with food through Healthy APPetizers Byron Hurt’s “Soul Suggestions for smart Food Junkies.” phone applications that Page 2 can help you live a healthier lifestyle. Page 2 Healthy Campus and Community I s s u e N o . 5 - Fa l l 2 0 1 3 T. L. Love is the Key! Senior Citizens at T. L. Love Community Center learn about the keys to health and wellness. Page 3 The Tougaloo Man Tougaloo College menstudents, staff, faculty and alumni- talk about the qualities of a true Tougaloo man. Page 3 Health In Your Hands What’s Next... A calendar of upcoming events and activities. Page 5 TWEET US @tougaloohealth factor for most chronic conditions, thus propelling the state to the top of the list for most chronic disease rankings, including heart disease, By Sandra C. Hayes, DrPH ! Over the past two decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of overweight and obese adults and children in the United States. In 2010, no state had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Thirty-six states had a prevalence of 25% or more. Currently, Mississippi has the highest obesity rate (35.3%) in the nation. The treatment of obesity and its related conditions (such as diabetes) is very costly.  Mississippi exhibits the highest rate of adult obesity in the nation and the highest rate of premature death. Nationally, childhood obesity rates have increased steadily since 1980 with Mississippi’s childhood obesity rates continually among the highest in the country. According to the Mississippi Department of Education Office of Healthy Schools, overweight adolescents have 80% chance of becoming overweight adults. This is very important considering that obesity is a major risk Connecting Campus to Community To create change, campus and community must be connected. Check out the community events that our campus supports. Page 4 ! The Tougaloo College Owens Health and Wellness Center continues its efforts to create a healthier campus and community through the “TC Squared” Wellness Initiative, funded and supported by Blue Cross & Blue Shield Foundation of Mississippi. The overarching goal of this program is to reduce the incidence of obesity and related chronic diseases at Tougaloo College and in the surrounding community by creating a culture of health and wellness on the campus. The specific objectives of this health and wellness initiative are to: 1) increase knowledge and awareness about healthy behaviors related to the prevention of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases among 75% of the participants; and 2) increase physical fitness activities among 75% of program participants. hypertension, diabetes, and stroke, and has high disability rates. Regular physical activity can improve health and the quality of life and can lower the risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension and Type 2 diabetes.   For more information on this activity, please contact Mr. George Patterson, Director of Campus Life and Community Outreach at (601) 977-4437 or [email protected]. 1