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Our Big Problem

Alabama has plenty of problems. There’s one problem, however, many of us can see every time we look in a mirror.

The below stories encompass an occasional series examining the spread of obesity and related health problems in Alabama, and the bigger questions facing our society as a result.
Dr. Cliff Black and his team prepare for gastric sleeve surgery on a patient at Stringfellow Hospital in Anniston. (Anniston Star photo by Trent Penny)
Bariatric surgery becoming more accepted way of handling severe, long-term weight problems
For the first time in her life, Andrea Cheeks has hope about her future, about her health. She can tell the ulcer on her leg is receding. Since her surgery in May, she no longer needs medication for cholesterol or high blood pressure.
Aug 12, 2012 |  0 comments | 19 19 recommendations | email to a friend
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Cutting weight
She needed a cane to hobble 15 steps from her apartment to her car. She used a wheelchair for anything farther than that. At 5-foot-5, Andrea Cheeks weighed 550 pounds. The Sylacauga woman couldn’t walk, couldn’t work, couldn’t shop, couldn’t leave her home without help. Couldn’t breathe sometimes. At 43, she had high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea and an ulcer eating away at her leg as a result of problems with blood circulation.
Aug 12, 2012 |  0 comments | 7 7 recommendations | email to a friend
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(Anniston Star illustration by Bran Strickland)
Our Big Problem: P.E. being rethought in light of new goals for health
According to Nancy Ray, physical education and health specialist for the Alabama Department of Education, she and others involved in a PE task force have worked hard to develop the state’s first-ever comprehensive physical education guide for grades K-12.
Jul 30, 2012 |  0 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend
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Gabriel Omans, 8, weighs himself. (Anniston Star photo by Trent Penny)
Weight and see: Children's obesity clinic expected to make difference in families' lives
"I know it’s not healthy for him,” Lisa Omans, 47, said as she and Gabriel sat in the living room of their Anniston trailer on a recent morning. “But he’ll eat and 10 minutes later, he’s like, ‘I’m hungry! I’m hungry!’”
Jul 29, 2012 |  0 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend
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Noble Street, looking south from 10th Street. Anniston City Councilman Jay Jenkins proposed a resolution for the city to consider pedestrian and bicycle access to plans for new road projects.
Complete streets: New policy encourages bike lanes, sidewalks
On the street where you live ... is there a sidewalk? Congratulations, you can get some exercise. A bike lane, however, is a different animal.
Jul 01, 2012 |  0 comments | 23 23 recommendations | email to a friend
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‘I feel like I have a life again’
Health-wise, the truth about Alabama is painful: too much obesity, too much fast and fried food, and too much diabetes.
Jun 27, 2012 |  0 comments | 8 8 recommendations | email to a friend
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A group of kids participates in ‘We All Run’ last week, one of two new programs designed especially for area youth to introduce them to a more active lifestyle. (Anniston Star photo by Sarah Cole)
Kids' groups encourage running and biking for exercise, health
Building successful running and cycling programs like these also takes a large support network, according to people who have started similar successful groups in other cities across the country.
Jun 24, 2012 |  0 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend
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About 30 people from Calhoun and surrounding counties were at the Anniston City Meeting Center Thursday night for a screening of the HBO documentary ‘The Weight of The Nation.’ The screening was followed by a discussion on what can be done about Alabama’s problem with obesity. (Anniston Star photo by Sarah Cole)
Ideas, philosophies shared at meeting on 'Our Big Problem'
As the conversation played out, the Obesity Task Force director encouraged the group to meet again to continue the dialogue. She challenged everyone to learn their own Body Mass Index numbers.
Jun 22, 2012 |  0 comments | 11 11 recommendations | email to a friend
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Seeking solutions to what ails us
It’s our big problem, and tonight is your big night to start doing something about it.
Jun 21, 2012 |  0 comments | 10 10 recommendations | email to a friend
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A focus group watches an episode of the HBO documentary "Weight of the Nation" at the Anniston Star's offices. Photo: Stephen Gross/The Anniston Star
Talking about the weight: Community leaders discuss Alabama’s obesity problem
Carla Thomas wishes every patient in her clinic had a scale and weighed in every day. Schuessler Ware wonders what happened to the neighborhood schools to which kids walked from their homes. Mary Stonebraker hopes healthy changes to school menus will help convince students to eat better at home. And Tracy Sims wishes people could even remember what good health looks like.
Jun 17, 2012 |  0 comments | 15 15 recommendations | email to a friend
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