Health concerns in the African-American community have become a national problem, according to the campus Association of African American Students (AAAS). Students at DePauw are raising awareness in order to promote healthy lifestyles.
"Healthy is Sexy" is a month-long series of events organized by AAAS to provide insights and skills to becoming a healthier person.
While "Healthy is Sexy" targets DePauw's African-American community, any student on campus can attend. Previous events have included Zumba, dodgeball and various health presentations.
According to the Food Research and Action Center, 82.1 percent of African-American women and 69.9 percent of African-American men are overweight or obese. Such health problems can lead to a myriad of issues including type two diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Half an hour of cardio and strength/weight training several times a week can curb these numbers, according to AAAS event organizer Khadijah Crosby, a junior.
"We'd like to raise awareness of different health problems we're facing and try to change them because they can be prevented with proper diet exercise and physical activity," Crosby said.
"Healthy is Sexy" is a new take on the familiar idea of getting in shape.
"It's something different from what we've done before - that's the most striking thing about it," said AAAS President Jorden Giger.
Because the series is only a month long, Crosby has smaller but more significant and realistic goals in mind than rippling biceps.
"Students don't need to work out every day and become athletic," Crosby said. "We just want them to start to become more physically active."
Planning for this series entailed gaining insight into the health problems and routine procedural solutions. Scheduling for a month-long event posed more than a few obstacles though, even when planning far in advance.
"Booking rooms was hard, especially with finding the right room at the perfect time," Crosby said.
After first visiting Lilly for a workout, Crosby saw the dilemma firsthand.
"When I went to the gym, I didn't see too many minorities, and I felt like that's the problem," Crosby said. "I wanted to change that, the sedentary lifestyle."
Crosby recognized the implications of these health statistics after that experience.
"We have to do better," Crosby said. "If not, we're facing an early death."
After some summer work, "Healthy is Sexy" is now in effect, and students are excited to participate.
"This program sounds like it'll make a connection between activity and fun," said freshman Benjamin Davis. "That connection is what will keep people active and continuing such healthy lifestyles."
Upcoming events for "Healthy is Sexy" include a lecture from Dr. NiCole R. Keith of IUPUI about physical activity and health in the black community, a presentation about proper diet and meals at locations on campus, tied together by a course at the end of the month.
"We would really like people to come out to the events," Crosby said. "It's targeted to audiences of the black community, but obviously the events are open to the entire campus."
However, obstacles to maintaining a healthier lifestyle arise no matter the advantages. Time management is essential to any student, especially one who is trying to fit in an exercise routine.
"People have to make the time, but if you make the exercise enjoyable, and people are having fun, they'll find the time," Davis said. "As long as that activity functions as exercise."
Students can find the schedule for all "Healthy is Sexy" events online at DePauw e-services.
"We all have a lot to do, but we can't make excuses about not going to the gym," Crosby said. "These statistics are scary. That's our future."
