Is Nutrition and Fitness Even Relevant to Africa?

Whenever I attend a business conference I always develop some new thought relevant to my passions. This past weekend, it was the Harvard African Business Conference. My new insight is that some question the relevance of fitness and nutrition in the context of Africa. Nutrition and fitness is my passion, but can the culture of fitness that is seen in America be replicated in Africa on a grand scale? Is it relevant when most of the inhabitants of Africa are living on a daily paycheck that could only buy your average American 2 items from the dollar menu? My answer is yes it is…and here is why:

The nations of Africa are referred to as emerging markets and this term often harbors a negative stigma of backwardness in many sectors. However, by definition this term also implies a condition of positive growth rather than backwardness. As development increases, so does the occurrence of the health issues of developed nations such as the lifestyle related non-communicable diseases (NCD) of diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, among others. NCD’s are pandemic in nature and do not take pity on any group of individuals.

Why is it that in conditions of extreme poverty, there is a coexistence of starvation and obesity? This paradoxical dichotomy has baffled even the brightest minds. Although the concerns of the majority Africans involve being able to eat food at all, obviously the character of then nutrition and exercise habits of many Africans needs to be evaluated. An experimental group for an NIH study done in South Africa recorded an obesity rate of 28% for that group.  http://1.usa.gov/AuwUN9 . The impending economic burden that will come from the double-whammy of endemic acute and chronic disease is unfathomable. In developed nations there are more resources to handle such a burden more efficiently than in Africa. The threat is real.

The solution for prevention of lifestyle related diseases are not as complex as many might believe. Actually it’s quite simple: it is a lifestyle change. What is complex are the conditions that prevent the change. In Africa, those conditions are extreme poverty, security, and acute illness and for many these conditions last a lifetime. Solutions must be modified so that they can be applicable to the conditions that Africans face everyday. We will come to find the utility of mobile phones very useful in this arena. Mobile phones are the one source of information that Africans already have access to and is much less immediately expensive. This delivery method of health information is referred to as mHealth. Modifying health and nutrition to this medium is one of many ways of adaptations to the immediate conditions of Africans. Lifestyle changes can become routine rather than arduous for Africans by applying delivery methods with this in mind. In this way, we will see more progress in the health of Africans.

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3 Effective Things to Do in the Gym When You Forgot Your Headphones

I dont know about many of you but I cant do a real heavy workout without workout music and be fully effective. Its ok to feel like that. Part of what drives me to work out is because I love the feeling that I get doing my workouts to a soundtrack. It makes me feel like im in a movie. I pick music that gives me an adrenaline rush so that when Im doing something very strenuous, im in beast mode. But what if I dont have music? Here the 3 things you can do to make your workout on those days productive.

Play basketball - Dont feel bad about not being that good at it, I personally have a field goal percentage of probably 3%. My shots are always layups. But dont worry people are just out there to have fun! Plus its good cardio. All it takes is to ask and you’re in!

Play Raquetball - Most gyms have provisions for Raquet ball. Just go to your gyms receptionist and ask for a raquet and a ball…this sport is actually more strenuous and difficult than it looks. Try something new. Here is a 1 minute video on the rules of raquetball below.

Make that day An Abs Day – Abs exercises are generally lighter than most others because of less weight involved. But do at least 20 minutes. I would start with 3 sets of 20 sit-ups on an inclined bench. Since I have been following my strength sheet I have been doing 3 sets of 40 using 15lb plates. Email me if you want a copy. If you cant work on your other muscle groups for the day, the least you should do is work on abs. No soundtrack is needed for that.

On days like that where I forget my headphones I usually combine basketball with abs and those days I feel pretty worked out. Give it a shot!

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List of The Best and Healthiest Chocolates for Valentines Day

Most people will be eating some form of chocolate within the next few days. So whats the best tasting chocolate to eat thats also the healthiest? Its dark chocolate of course. Theres less sugar and milk, and more cacao. Some people may think dark chocolate may taste a little bitter, heres a tip. Eat a fruit such as a large strawberry with it to balance it out. Here is a list of all the best dark chocolates compiled from taste testers across the internet. If you fell behind and havent orded anything for your significant other get on Amazon now and put an order in for next day shipping because Hershey is not on this list.

Trader Joe’s “Pound Plus” Dark Chocolate 72% cacao

Trader Joe’s Fair Trade Swiss Dark Chocolate 71% cacao

Lindt “Excellence” Intense Dark 70% cacao

Scharffen Berger Extra Dark 82% cacao

Godiva Demitasse 72% cacao

La Maison du Chocolat Cuana 73% cacao

Chocolove 73% Cacao

Lindt Swiss Bittersweet Fine Dark Chocolate 49%

Godiva CHocolatier Dark Chocolate 72%

Green and Blacks Organic Dark CHocolate 70%

ScharffenBerger Bittersweet Fine Artisian Dark Chocolate 70%

Michel Cluizel “Noir de Cacao” 72% cacao

Cadbury Royal Dark.

Here is a big hint. I have heard that Trader Joes Dark Chocolate has probably the best taste for the best price.

Sources:

Food Trends @ Suite 101

HuffPost 

LA Times

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