Toya Wright and her daughters, Reginae Carter and Reign Rushing, took massive steps against obesity this past weekend at their Weight No More 5K event. The celebrity mom and her daughter attracted dozens from the community with their event along with a few local celebrities who wanted to join in on the fight against the obesity epidemic in the country.
Rasheeda and Kirk Frost were in attendance at the race with their son. Kandi Burruss also got on the course and ran 3.1 miles Historic Old Fourth Ward Park to help spread awareness about obesity in Atlanta and throughout the nation. Hairfinity, What Waist, and Essential Water were three of many businesses to sponsor Toya Wright and Reginae Carter’s Weight No More 5K run.
Obesity has become a major problem in the United States. More than half the nation is considered overweight with 35 percent of young adults (aged 20 to 39 years) falling in the obese category. Around 42 percent of those middle-aged adults (aged 40 to 59 years), and 41 percent of seniors (aged 60 and older), fall within the obese category according to the Body Mass Index (BMI) chart.
Thankfully, Toya Wright and other celebrities are working to spread awareness about the epidemic and the importance of proper diet and exercise to combat excessive weight. Medical doctors are also working to control the crisis. Sr. Lisa DeRosino discusses the importance of the obesity medicine physician (OMP).
“The obesity medicine physician (OMP) can provide a medical overview and unique set of knowledge that is beneficial in the bariatric surgery setting,” Dr. DeRosino says. “The OMP approaches the patient from a medical perspective, whereas a surgeon is most interested in a safe and successful surgery. The OMP can coach the patient on diet, activity, behavior changes and potential medication changes pre and postoperatively.”
The medical doctor further explains, “Many times the surgeon does not have the time to perform these tasks. One OMP can do the role of two or three support staff (dietician, exercise physiologist, psychologist). Further, the continuity of care with a familiar face can provide reassurance and stability to a patient, while they are undergoing dramatic changes in their body and life.”
You can learn more about the obesity epidemic, and how to combat it, here. Toya Wright is the proud mother of two children.
Photo: Freddy-O
