Hair Styles Linked to Obesity in Black Women.

The Commercial Appeal ^ | 09-28-03 | johnny7

[johnny7]

Lets 'Do' it Right: Exercise.
Wendi Thomas
gomemphis.com

More than 60 percent of black women are overweight. And I'd bet that many of these women have nicely styled hair. How are the two related? Many of us are overweight because we don't exercise. And I maintain many of us don't exercise because we don't want to sweat out our hair. For those unfamiliar with black hair, here's a primer. Many black women have their hair chemically treated to make it straighter. As the hair grows, the process - called relaxing - must be repeated on the kinkier roots.

Water, humidity and sweat are the enemy of relaxed hair. I know. Many of my sporadic attempts to exercise have been foiled by my hair. I've done TaeBo under a swirling ceiling fan. I've ridden a stationary bike under an air-conditioning vent with a fan aimed at my head. I'll do almost anything to avoid sweating hard enough to mess up my 'do.'

Of course, other factors contribute to obesity, such as poor diet. But for women, and black women in particular, hair is a factor. "When the one thing you have going for you is your hair, you don't want that messed up," says Brenda Speight, community nutritionist for the health department. Speight remembers how as a child, she'd get her hair pressed on Saturdays, to ready it for church Sunday. When her hair was done, so was playtime. Her mother wouldn't let her start sweating and messing up that hair. For many women, Speight says, getting their hair done is about more than looking good. That trip to the beauty shop "may be the only time that week that the black woman is cared for, instead of doing the caring," Speight says.

The link between hair and black women's health hasn't escaped the attention of the medical community. With obesity comes a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, breast and colon cancer. While researching black women's health issues, Harvard professor Rima Rudd learned of the hair/health link at a community meeting, and from a man. "He said, 'You're not going to get anywhere talking about physical exercise in the black community unless you talk about hair.'" Interviews with Boston-area women confirmed the man's theory.

The research continued, at first with the support of the National Institutes of Health. But the NIH eventually withdrew financial support "because they said there was no scientific link between physical activity and hair," she said. Undeterred, Rudd and others spent $6,000 of their money to publish the pamphlet, Hair Care Tips for Sisters on the Move. That was five years ago. In the last few months, Rudd gave the pamphlet to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to republish. To see the brochure, go to www.hsph.harvard.edu/sisterstogether/hair.pdf. But do more than read. Move until you sweat. Even if it costs you your 'do.'

Contact Wendi C. Thomas at (901) 529-5896 or E-mail thomasw@gomemphis.com.

[johnny7]

Solid hair theory at the grassroots level!

[BenLurkin]

It's all the fault of the white establishment.

[independentmind]

Of course, other factors contribute to obesity, such as poor diet.

You don't say. I suspect poor diet is quite a bit more relevant than hair style.

[4mycountry]

It's Bush's fault!! </sarcasm> ;)

[wizardoz]

I think black women who just wear their hair super short and natural look really cool. Especially if they're fit and dress nice, and wear those big hoopy earrings and nice lipstick. Short natural hair shows off a long neck and it feels neat against your cheek.

[hosepipe]

If sweating of the scalp will ruin a Doo...
A shower or bath would'nt do it any good either...
And with all the effort to avoid sweating of the scalp...
Kinda makes you go...Hmmmmmmmm.

[BenLurkin]

Speaking of obsesity and processed hair:

[rabidralph]

That's what towels are for, hosepipe.

[Auntie Mame]

I think black women who just wear their hair super short and natural look really cool.

I agree.

[geaux]

Of course. If it weren't for whitey, black women wouldn't feel the need to straighten their hair.

[muir_redwoods]

So the consideration works like this. On one side of the balance we have styled hair. On the other we have cardiovascular disease, diabetes, breast cancer, aggravation of back and joint problems and overall ill health.

Guess I'd go with the stylish hair too!

[cyborg]

Someone has too much time on her hands. While I find her essay laughable, she may well be right on some levels. I know many black ladies who are not necessarily rich BUT will spend an absolute fortune on hair and nails. Over the summer, it was horribly humid. My long hair got a mind of its own. Drove many of my black female customers crazy! I went to salon every week. Now I just do my own hair, and it's always different. I exercise and sweat. I put a straigtener in my hair over the summer so it didn't look like my dog was sitting on my head. But I'd not risk my health over sweating out a hairstyle...

[bikewench]

LOL...

I can believe it. I know women who sleep with their fist under their cheek so they don't spoil their fro.

Ruled by their follicles.

[mtbopfuyn]

Or it could be Freeper Butt from sitting in front of the screen here too much...

[cyborg]

Do you have one of those wireless peeping cameras in my room?

[US admirer]

http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/local_news/article/0,1426,MCA_437_2304006,00.html for a pic of the author

[E. Pluribus Unum]

There is a direct correlation between weight and the average number of hours per week spent in front of the boob tube.

It would be racial profiling to mention which race statistically spends the greatest percentage of their time watching television.

[najida]

One of my dance students teaches TaeBo and pilates on the nights she isn't dancing (and sweating) with me. She weighs about 100# and has 8% body fat (I hate her).

Her solution? A short, cut and fabulous Tina Turner wig.

[Bon mots]

A nice hairdo on a fat pig doesn't make the pig attactive. But no hair on a... well, see for yourself...

[Bon mots]

attactive = attractive

I will proofread before I post.
I will proofread before I post.
I will proofread before I post.
I will proofread before I post.