The insider

In this era when rates of obesity are escalating among African-Americans, throughout the year, we focus on the serious conditions associated with being overweight--heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, chronic joint pain, etc. In this issue, the annual Black Health & Fitness Issue, we, again, bring the subject of obesity to the forefront in the form of a South Carolina man who once weighed 753 pounds, but he realized five years ago the danger of his excessive weight and amazingly lost an incredible 500 pounds. And he did it the old-fashioned way--with proper diet and regular exercise. No surgery. No diet pills. Just one man's determination to change his life.

While John Quarles, now 28, continues to monitor his weight, in Los Angeles, the Simpson family is dealing with their own health-related problems, but it is both of their children who are struggling with a painful blood disorder that is most common among African-Americans. In the article, "One Family's Struggle with Sickle Cell Disease," Lavender and Dorian Simpson paint a picture of what life is like for their 15-year-old daughter, Tiffany, and their 5-year-old son, Dorian Jr., both victims of the disease. The story, which also gives an update on the latest research and medication, includes a special section where Dr. Willarda Edwards, president and chief operating officer of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, provides a list of facts about the disease that continues to victimize thousands of Black people--children and adults.

The Health & Fitness section, the 17th one we have produced, is designed to encourage readers to adopt a proactive lifestyle that can make a major difference in the quality of life. As Dr. Sandra L. Gadson, president of the National Medical Association, says: "There are many things that we can do to improve our health status. You know the mantra: Eat right, get adequate rest, exercise regularly. Achieving and maintaining optimal health is often the result of practicing these basic, common-sense do's."

In other areas, this month's cover story features LL Cool J, one of hip-hop's hottest hunks who is celebrating his 20th anniversary in the music business. He opens up to Senior Editor Kevin Chappell and talks about the rumors (plastic surgery and steroid use), fatherhood, his movie career and the heartbreak he has experienced over the years. But he's in a happy place in his life now as his new CD has put him back on the course to strengthening his hip-hop legacy.

Speaking of strength, it is one of the characteristics of Betty and Thomas Jones, "Two Gems From The Coal Mines," who worked in the coal mines of Big Stone Gap, Va., to provide for seven children, five of whom have graduated from college, including two who are National Football League stars.

Additionally, this issue includes a story about three of the most exciting players in the NBA--LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony--who are being pegged as the foundation of the league's future. Then there's the story for the heartbroken. In "After The Breakup: Get Over It And Get On With Your Life," experts share valuable tips on how to stop looking back and move on.

Further, as is the case each year at this time, we highlight a number of supersingle Sisters who represent a wide variety of professions and geographic areas. This year's group of bachelorettes are confident and accomplished women who want to share some quality time with a man who isn't intimidated by their success, and a man who can respect them, appreciate them and love them.

Brothers, are you listening?

COPYRIGHT 2006 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning