November is National Diabetes Month

OBESITY WARRIORS AND BEST-SELLING AUTHORS, RONIECE WEAVER AND FABIOLA GAINES, ARE ON A MISSION TO FIGHT THE DISEASE IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY

Authors Bring Awareness to the Disease During National Diabetes Month This November

New York, NY (BlackNews.com) – USA Today’s DeWayne Wickham recently named Roniece Weaver a "soldier" against the obesity epidemic that has been growing in alarming numbers among African American children and adults in the United States. In celebration of National Diabetes Month, this November, Roniece will be joined by her co-author, Fabiola Gaines, and will use their best-selling diabetes cookbooks published by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) to bring awareness to both diabetes and obesity throughout the month. The 2007 African American Literary Award nominees will visit Dallas, Chicago, West Palm Beach and Atlanta to promote their latest cookbook, Healthy Soul Food Cooking as well as last year’s favorite, The Family Style Soul Food Diabetes Cookbook, co-authored by Rojean Williams and Chef Shawn Fralin.

"We wrote all five of our cookbooks to help our readers learn how you can eat better without giving up some of the traditional flavors," states Weaver. "We want our readers to know you can live long, healthy lives, even with a condition like diabetes. That’s within your power. You have the strength to meet this challenge."

According to the American Obesity Association, Obesity is a global epidemic. Approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight–60 million obese and 9 million severely obese. Obesity is also a major factor in Type 2 Diabetes. The ADA states that 3.2 million African Americans have diabetes in the U.S. With high rates of diabetes, hypertension and heart disease reaching horrendous levels, today’s African Americans are facing health concerns not shared by their ancestors.

Studies have shown that portion control may be one of the keys to keeping children and adults healthy and minimize obesity. Weaver and Gaines suggest paying closer attention to portion size. "If you are eating at home, we recommend eating on a 6-inch or 7-inch plate to start for all meals," states Gaines. "The smaller the plate, the greater the likelihood that it will bring you back to a normal way of eating. We also recommend this for the whole family. Once you begin using a smaller plate, it becomes a very good habit to keep. It just takes discipline and a commitment to living in a healthy manner."

Weaver and Gaines are among the "Many Faces of Diabetes" that will be working diligently to bring awareness to the disease. Every week during American Diabetes Month this November, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) will highlight these "Many Faces of Diabetes."

• Caregivers (November 1-3) Supporting a loved one with diabetes can present its own unique challenges.
• Employees (November 4-10) Promoting healthy lifestyles in the workplace can help to prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications, saving companies thousands of dollars a year.
• Diabetes around the world (November 11-17) Worldwide over 246 million people have diabetes. By 2020, that number is expected to rise to 350 million.
• At-risk populations (November 18-24) One in two minorities born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime if current trends continue.
• Youth and Type 1 Diabetes (November 25-30) Youth diagnosed with type 1 diabetes have the most urgent need for care. The new ADA Planet D campaign will provide resources and networking to those youth and their families.

The cookbooks in the ADA’s SOUL FOOD COOKBOOK SERIES include the top-selling THE NEW SOUL FOOD COOKBOOK FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES, SOUL FOOD SELECTIONS MONTH-A-MEALS, THE FAMILY STYLE SOUL FOOD DIABETES COOKBOOK and newly released, HEALTHY SOUL FOOD COOKING (Small Steps Press, ADA Imprint). The cookbooks are available at bookstores nationwide, Amazon.com or by calling 1-800-232-6733. For further information, author interviews, and/or to review copies, call Tyrha M. Lindsey at 908-672-6024 or e-mail laicomm@aol.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Fabiola D. Gaines, R.D., L.D.
Fabiola Gaines is a founding partner of The Hebni Nutrition Consultants, Inc. and Co-Chair of the Cultural Diversity Committee for the Central Florida chapter of the American Diabetes Association. Ms. Gaines and her partners sponsor health education and nutrition seminars called Sisters Take Charge of Your Health. She received her B.S. in Food and Nutrition from Florida A&M University, and is certified by the American Dietetic Association. Ms. Gaines frequently serves as a national consultant on nutrition and dietetics and is the coordinator of the Women, Infants and Children Program for the State of Florida Department of Health at the Volusia County Public Health Unit in Daytona Beach, Florida . Ms. Gaines currently resides in Orlando, Florida.

Roniece A. Weaver, M.S., R.D., L.D.
Roniece Weaver is a founding partner and Executive Director of The Hebni Nutrition Consultants, Inc. and Co-Chair of the Cultural Diversity Committee for the Central Florida chapter of the American Diabetes Association. She received her B.S. in Food Science/Human Nutrition from The University of Florida and her M.S. in Health Care Administration from the College of Saint Francis. She has been a frequent national lecturer on nutrition and dietary issues and was a Board Member of Coeur De Coeur within the American Heart Association. She has also received the President’s Award of the Auxiliary to the National Medical Association. Ms. Weaver currently resides in Orlando, Florida.

Shawn Fralin, Executive Chef
Chef Shawn Fralin’s methodology in creating culinary fare is designed to feed the soul and nourish the spirit. Fralin considers himself a spiritual visionary chef as he connects with the energies of his ingredients; pairing distinctive flavors to make each menu he prepares a customized dining experience with cuisine sure to please even the most discriminating palate. Though born in Oregon, Fralin considers himself a "citizen of the world" having lived throughout the United States and in Europe. Fralin currently resides in Miami.

Rojean L. Williams, M.S., R.D.
Rojean Williams is a wellness consultant for Hebni Nutrition Consultants Inc. and health educator for the federal government. She received a B.S. in Food Science/Human Nutrition from the University of Florida and obtained her Masters in Nutrition and Dietetic Service at Florida International University In Miami, Florida in 1984. Ms. Williams has well over 22 years of professional training and experience in promoting and implementing health and wellness to various populations all over the country and encourages individuals to focus on their personal concepts and beliefs towards healthy living. Ms. Williams currently resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

In the United States, 20.8 million people have diabetes, which equals 7 percent of the population. While an estimated 14.6 million people have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 6.2 million people are unaware they have the disease. The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s leading voluntary organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the Association provides services to communities across the country. Its mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and improve the lives of people with diabetes.