Free Decatur Event Will Address Being Overweight and Obesity Sat.

DECATUR, GA — To address the health dangers of being overweight or obese, a local organization and a fitness center have partnered together to educate Decatur residents, particularly in the African American community, this Saturday, Nov. 23. They will share information on how to combat the health issues that disproportionately impact African American women, the groups announced in a joint news release.

The Decatur-DeKalb Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., and Tadda’s Fitness Center are partnering together to host the free event, “What are YOU Cooking? What’s in YOUR Kitchen?” from noon- 2 p.m. at Tadda’s Fitness Center, 2615 Park Central Boulevard in Decatur.

There will be cooking demonstrations and a panel discussion featuring LaTasha Lewis, a Registered Nurse and owner of Tadda’s Fitness Center, Nutritionist Jerri Benjamin, and Jamille Hawkins, a Family and Consumer Sciences Agent.

“We are so grateful for this partnership and even more grateful to bring awareness to this ongoing epidemic,” said Kenya Williams, health committee project manager, in the release.

In the United States, four out of five black women have the highest rates of being overweight or obese compared to other groups, according to 2017 CDC data. Additionally, the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that 35.2 percent of non-Hispanic Black youths ages 2-19 are overweight or obese.

“There is so much work to be done, but we are ready to educate our community and impact our eating habits,” said 1st vice president of planning and programs, Kianna Lawson.