By Sharon Chandler | SPECIAL TO THE OBSERVER

Today African Americans are dying in greater numbers than ever before, due to the effects of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. Largely, unhealthy diet and the lack of physical activity are the greatest contributors to these diseases.

Here in Sacramento, the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church’s, the Dr. Ephraim Williams Family Life Center, in partnership with the Health Education Council, is weighing in the results of a 90-Day Challenge. The Challenge focuses on a three month intensive health awareness campaign.

Co-sponsored by BloodSource and the American Heart Association, the Challenge is designed to inform, encourage, and motivate individuals to a healthier lifestyle. The free program challenges participants with a three E’s – education, eating and exercise - approach.

Over the past 90 days of the challenge, a full smorgasbord of activities are being offered, including educational workshops and free access and tours of the Family Life Center. The Center is a state of the art health and recreation facility.

Other services include therapeutic massage, blood pressure/glucose screenings, numerous healthy foods cooking demonstrations and a walking club. Twice a week, males and females alike, gather for the new Latin rhythm exercise dance craze, Zumba Fitness. The dance moves of the fitness craze help with body toning, and weight and stress reduction. Classes meet on Monday, and Thursday evenings and on Saturday mornings.

The total Challenge program has helped more than 300 individuals discover new and better ways to improve the quality, and prolong the length, of their lives.

Half of the Challenge champions are also enrolled in Dr. Ian Smith’s nationwide 50 Million Pound Challenge. It is estimated that by the final weigh-in on June 5th, the St. Paul family and community will lose more than 700 pounds over the 3 months period of time.

“We are in a health crisis,” said program administrator for the Health Education Council Cynthia Robinson. “California statistics show that 76% of African Americans are obese or overweight. Partnering with St. Paul in this Challenge allows us the opportunity to help the African American community take charge of its health, while utilizing this wonderful Family Life Center here in Oak Park.”

Robinson said she feels that the Health Education Council is accomplishing its outreach goal of providing additional community resources and services, for the 90-Day Challenge.

“For the first time ever, a farmers market will serve St. Paul members following the morning services, right there on the church campus. Additionally, children will have the opportunity to display their nutritional knowledge of vegetables and fruits during a Youth Nutrition Decathlon, and members may register for a Bone Marrow listing,” she stated.

The Health Education Council is working with St. Paul’s Health Ministry, to celebrate the Challenge’s results by sponsoring an event titled “Promoting Healthy Lifestyles to Create Healthy Communities,” on June 5, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The church will encourage its members to maintain a healthy living style by sponsoring future health Challenges and regularly hosting a farmers market on the church grounds.

The Oak Park community will also have the opportunity to participate in a survey aimed at creating a community garden project at the church.

All these efforts are being made to assist area individuals and families to live healthier lifestyles.