The stats are distressing. More than 75 percent of us are overweight or obese, and though we know regular physical activity comes with a whole host of health benefits, with the exception of Latinos, we are more likely to lead sedentary lifestyles than other any other racial or ethnic group. One study of more than 30,000 healthy adult women in this country found middle-aged women need at least an hour of moderate activity every day to maintain a healthy weight without restricting calories, but few of us meet the minimum 30-minutes three times a week recommendation, so it should come as no surprise that daily hour-long workouts aren’t happening.
#On top of the obesity and exercise news, there’s the fact that black folks have the highest rates of high blood pressure in the world, and we are more likely to suffer the complications of diabetes, itself an out-of-control epidemic. Both of these conditions can be better managed with physical activity.
#It is with all of this in mind that the National Medical Association (NMA) is set to launch its “A Prescription for Exercise” initiative, designed to educate its physician members about the importance of prescribing exercise—alongside pharmaceutical and nutritional protocols—in treatment plans for their patients. Last week, Black Health Matters spoke with NMA President Edith Mitchell and Martin Hamlette, executive director of the NMA, about the program.
#Black Health Matters: Why this initiative? Why now?
#Edith Mitchell, M.D.: The equation for health involves multiple factors, and it’s important for us to look at the preventive aspect as well as treatment and follow-up. It is trying to prevent complications of disease as opposed to waiting for complications to occur and then treat the disease.
Martin Hamlette: The correlation between wellness and health are now linked. And medicine and access to medicine is an integral part of the overall picture. That includes understanding diet and the importance of exercise. Practitioners serving this community have to incorporate this piece into how they treat a patient.
#How are physicians responding to the program?
#Dr. Mitchell: Physicians will do those things for which educational programs have demonstrated effectiveness. The problem with many physician practices is that there is no time to do a lot of preventive medicine. So we have to package the educational programs in a manner easily utilizable in the doctor’s office. Other staff members can be complementary. And we’ve got to learn to use the community and churches, with fraternities and sororities and community organizations in our efforts.