ACTRESS/ WELLNESS SPECIALIST A.J. JOHNSON AND OTHER HEALTH EXPERTS PROFESSIONALS JOIN FORCES
TO EMPOWER CHICAGO’S AFRICAN AMERICAN POPULATION WITH
PRACTICAL, HEALTHY-LIFESTYLE TIPS AND TOOLS
GlaxoSmithKline Multicultural Council on Weight Management
To Address High Rates of Overweight and Obese Individuals Among
Chicago’s African American Population
(CHICAGO) May 28, 2008 -- When actress/ wellness specialist A.J. Johnson is not sharing the screen with actress Julia Roberts or keeping Beyonce’s mind and body fit with her latest wellness techniques, she is sharing her health expertise with people in the community who just like the stars she works with, want to be healthy and fit. On June 21st, Johnson, along with other African American health professionals from the GlaxoSmithKline Multicultural Council on Weight Management, are hosting the Explore the Flavor of Health: The Myths and Facts on Healthy Living event at the South Side YMCA at 6330 S. Stony Island Avenue from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The Council will address African American families to help combat the obesity epidemic in the community.
With African Americans in Illinois more likely to report being obese than Caucasians, African American communities in Illinois clearly need help with the ongoing battle against being overweight1. The Explore the Flavor of Health: The Myths and Facts on Healthy Living event is planned to educate African Americans on the importance of weight management, and empower them with relevant education and practical tools for realistically addressing the overweight trend.
AJ Johnson, creator of “THE AJ ZONE” a wellness concierge business says if you are interested in healthy living she tries to make it happen.
"I've accepted that doing movies is a great career, but helping people to live their healthiest life is my life purpose, says Johnson. “I've learned a lot through my healthy living experiences and sharing it all is a party to me!"
Approximately 27.1% of African Americans in Illinois report being overweight or obese, compared with 22.5% of whites.1 For this reason, the Council, comprised of highly-regarded African American experts in the areas of health, fitness and nutrition, will host Explore the Flavor of Health: The Myths and Facts on Healthy Living event.
“To truly affect the overweight crisis in the African American community, we need the counsel and guidance of health experts who are dealing with this issue everyday,” said Steven L. Burton, vice president, Weight Control, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. “We are inspired by the passion of the council, and look forward to bringing it to Chicago through Explore the Flavor of Health: The Myths and Facts on Healthy Living.”
This free event is open to adults and their families. An adult must accompany persons interested in attending the event who are 18 years old or younger. For more information on the events, visit
www.exploretheflavorofhealth.com or call 1-866-404-6826.
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Profiling the Leading Causes of Death in the United States.” http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/factsheets/ChronicDisease/pdfs/Illinois.pdf Page 4. Accessed 5.20.08.
Event Details
At Explore the Flavor of Health: The Myths and Facts on Healthy Living, attendees will learn how to improve their health, while uncovering myths and facts related to nutrition, healthy living and physical activity. These free interactive community events sponsored by alli™, the only FDA approved over-the-counter weight loss aid, will be hosted in conjunction with local partner organizations: L.I.D.E.R.r., Namaste Charter Schools, the Metro Chicago YMCA, and Real Men Charities, Inc.
This interactive event will include advice from registered dietitians on portion size and how to read nutrition labels; health consultations with doctors to provide attendees with more information about their body and weight; and guidance from physical fitness experts on getting active. Additionally, the Council members will debate the myths and facts of eating and living healthy during a dynamic panel discussion. Attendees will also have the opportunity to taste healthy foods during a free lunch prepared by a local chef.
A.J. Johnson - www.TheAJZone.com
A.J. Johnson is a nationally recognized Wellness Specialist, actress and is on GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) Multicultural Council on Weight Management. She is also the founder of The AJ Zone, Inc. a wellness concierge business including celebrities and athletes such as Golden Globe winner Emily Blundt, Gabrielle Union, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, Terrell Owens and more.
When she is not molding the hottest bodies and souls of Hollywood, she is creating a wellness movement any way she can. A.J. created a wellness segment on WE channels “Savvy”, hosted VH-1’s reality fitness competition, “From Flab to Fab” and recently appeared on “Baisden After Dark” as an expert discussing “Obesity in Black America.” and has been the only non physician on a promotional tour for GSK’s ALLI. A.J. has addressed fitness and lifestyle issues for the American Cancer Society, Curves International events, The Essence Music Festival Seminar Series
The Council Members
The GlaxoSmithKline Multicultural Council on Weight Management is a group of acclaimed African American specialists in the areas of health, fitness and nutrition. Council members include:
Dr. Niva Lubin-Johnson, M.D., Senior Attending Physician at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago and Board Member of the National Medical Association (NMA)
Dr. Valentine Burroughs, Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs at Saint Francis Hospital/Catholic Health East in Delaware
Lindsey Williams, author of NEO SOUL: Taking Soul Food to a Whole ‘Nutha Level and owner of Neo Soul Events and Catering
About GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline - one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. The professional consulting members of the GlaxoSmithKline Multicultural Council on Weight Management are compensated for their time and expertise but the opinions they express are independent.
For company information visit: http://www.gsk.com
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