WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Jackson featured in BET obesity special

Jackson featured in BET obesity special

By Roslyn Anderson - bio | email

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) – The battle of the bulge among African Americans in Mississippi was the subject of a BET network special Sunday.

A viewing party for "Heart of the City: Dying to Eat in Jackson" was held at Dreamz on Capitol Street.

The Black Entertainment Television documentary on obesity aired at nine o'clock Sunday night.

In September BET's cameras rolled in Jackson following five Mississippians as they exercised and changed their lifestyles to lose weight.

Mississippi rates annually as the nation's fattest state with the most obese African American population.

The Mississippi Against Obesity Foundation worked with the participants in their weight loss for 12 weeks.

"I lost 25 pounds since September 14th, and it's just been a humbling experience. I just enjoyed it, and tonight we celebrate," said weight loss program participant 36 year old Shannon Anderson of Canton.

"I was on hypertension medication. I'm not on that anymore, and due to the weight loss my joint pains are gone away. I can walk better. I feel better. I've got a lot of energy," said participant 44 year old Linda Thompson of Canton.

"One of my patients was one of the people losing weight in the program. She no longer has to take the medication for diabetes or hypertension. Her medical conditions which were borderline and they could have gotten worse had she not lost the weight, are now being controlled through lifestyle and weight loss and it's a success story," said Jackson family physician Dr. Timothy Quinn, who was also featured in the documentary.

Star Jones hosted the one hour special.

Participants said the network will continue to follow their progress through December.

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