A Literary Look at the Afterlife Essay - 1029 Words

Since the beginning of time, legions of people have all had their own interpretation of the after-life, and if there even is one. Many philosophies, religions, and individuals have all asked themselves the same question at one point or another: Is there a Heaven or a Hell? Where will my body go? Will my soul follow? The Bible has many passages in which it describes its specific thoughts and claims on the â€Å"afterlife†. The afterlife as noted in the Bible, is divided into two different places, Heaven and Hell. Under this notion, everyone will continue their life after death eternally either in Heaven or Hell based on the type of life they lived. Where one spends the rest of their life is determined by whether a person puts their trust in†¦show more content†¦In his narrative poem The Divine Comedy Volume 1: Inferno, Dante recounts the story of a Pilgrim’s journey through hell. Inferno is based on Dante’s own idea of what the afterlife looks like and the matter in which it functions. As the Pilgrim sees it, Hell is subdivided into nine different â€Å"circles† which separate the sinners by the nature of the indulgence they have committed and its corresponding â€Å"contrapasso†, or form of punishment. The larger their sin is, the lower the level to which they are doomed to spend eternity. After reading the poem in its entirety, a reader discovers that Dante has made a spot in Hell for just about every type of sinner, even those who go against the mere thought of the afterlife. While on his journey, the Pilgrim is guided by Virgil the poet. Together they pass through different circles of He ll witnessing the atrocious punishments that all the sinners are serving. Though some circles hold gluttons, and others house those filled with lust, there is one circle in particular which is home to those who chose to live their lives denying the existence of an afterlife as it is explained in the Bible. Dwelling in the sixth circle of Hell are the souls of â€Å"arch-heretics†. Heresy is an opinion at variance with the orthodox or accepted doctrine of a church or religious system consequently; heretics are those who have their own opinion against the accepted doctrine (dictionary.com). Mark Musa affirms in hisShow MoreRelatedLaura Esquivels Like Water for Chocolate Essay1709 Words   |  7 Pagesgive up on marring Padro. After her forgetting about Pedro he goes and marries Rosaura, and Tita falls in love with John. The whole story then gets thrown when Mama dies and comes back to haunt Tita for her relationship with Pedro. The idea of the afterlife is presented to us in t his part showing us how big of an influence life after death has on Mexican religion. This novel takes place through all twelve months of the year starting at January and ending in December. This is a very key revealing partRead MoreThe Influence of Dantes Inferno Essay1380 Words   |  6 PagesThis quote from â€Å"The Education of the Soul: The Forsaken Ideal of Literary Study† by Michael Richard Bonin is one that I find compelling. Although my experience with this piece of literature will not contribute to my profession, it still has managed to move me as a person. Dante has caused me to contemplate the way I look upon my religious beliefs and what will become of me when I die. Religion is obviously involved when you look at this epic poem. As a Christian, Hell is looked upon in fear. TheRead MoreThe Mystery Of Death By William Shakespeare1539 Words   |  7 Pageswell: the mystery of death. his story with the most important speech. â€Å"Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother’s hand Of life, of crown, of queen at once dispatched.† (1.5.81-82) stated by the Ghost using a hyperbole to Using an art gallery full of literary element to help open up the story, such as metaphors to define his feelings. Even though the speech is made by the Ghost, the soliloquy is a good support to Hamlet’s cause and actions. Shakespeare involves this often repeated speech in the beginningRead MoreDeath in What Dreams May Come and Dantes Inferno Essay1086 Words   |  5 PagesDeath in What Dreams May Come and Dantes Inferno Death and what comes after has always been a subject of great interest and uncertainty. Many have tried to depict their own vision of the afterlife, be it heaven or hell, paradiso or inferno. Here, I will discuss the similarities and differences in the hell represented in the movie What Dreams May Come and the Inferno of Dante Alighieris Divine Comedy. What Dreams May Come is a movie about two soul mates, Chris (Robin Williams) and Annie (AnabellaRead MoreThe Utility Of Myth : Plato s Metaphysics1624 Words   |  7 Pagesand the afterlife. In this paper I wish to argue, as with his teacher Socrates, Plato’s views are layered and highly subjective, in the sense that his arguments, both reflect and are meant to be critically engaged with by the reader; because his views, being in dialogue form, never come directly from himself, I believe as with Nietzsche, and noted by Gustav Mueller—a passive, or surface level reading of his work gives rise to either over simplification and/or misconstruction. A closer look, examiningRead MoreThe City Of Ancient Greece1223 Words   |  5 Pagesof a sudden, the people could not understand each other because they all spoke different languages, resulting in the people scattering all over the world. This shows us how important it is to have a common language, and no matter how unimport ant it looks, it is one of the biggest contributing factors to unifying a nation or civilization. Along with a common language, the ancient Greeks had a common alphabet. There were two main forms of the alphabet, but they only had slight differences like the dialectRead MoreTragic Heroes of The Iliad and Oedipus Rex Analysis749 Words   |  3 Pagesin the man, but in the occasion† (brainyquote.com). Heroes are among one of the most popular literary figures of all time. A Greek philosopher, Aristotle, wrote his notion of classic from of heroism called tragic heroism in his work entitled Poetics. In Poetics, Aristotle explains that there are certain qualities that a tragic hero has that can qualify him or her as tragically heroic. Two Grecian literary legends, Achilles from Homer’s Iliad and Sophocles’s Oedipus Rex, fit the description of an AristotelianRead MoreSpeech : African American Communities About The Hypocrisy Of The Church982 Words   |  4 Pagesdevil child and be an outcast. I know this because now that I am learning the truth about religion Christ ianism I am having my doubts and questions. If I was in the audience during the time of the speech I would have been on his side and I would have look at the church differently. In his speech Frederick talk about how the white people of the 19th century were prejudiced against the black people of America. Black people were never equal not even in the place of worship. Which was very ironic, the churchRead MoreThe Qur The Early Revelations Essay1448 Words   |  6 PagesThe Quran is one of the most important literary source of every Muslim’s faith and practice, and it provides a belief system relevant for all times. It effectively portrays subjects that concern human beings like worship, law, etc. and has therefore appealed to millions of Muslim people. However, for non-Muslim and non-Arabic speakers, it is often difficult to understand the text’s unique approach to narrative. In the book, Approaching the Quran: The Early Revelations, Michael Sells, tries to assistRead More Chaucers Retraction in The Canterbury Tales Essay1382 Words   |  6 Pagesin explicit detail, as is so wonderfully displayed in The Canterbury Tales, is just one factor th at allowed him to be known as one of historys finest literary artists. At the end of a career that would be considered by most artists as an extremely successful one, what could have caused Chaucer to apologize for any of the works which defined literary success? In Chaucers Retraction, which appears at the end of The Canterbury Tales (Norton 311), Chaucer not only apologizes for several of his secular

The Constitutional Rights Of Abortion - 969 Words

Abortion is perhaps the most disputed issue in America today. There are nine states in the United States that do not have specific laws prohibiting abortion after a certain point of pregnancy. This means that an abortion can be performed at any time, despite how far along the pregnancy is. This controversial topic is viewed through public opinion, legislatures, and the courts. There are three main concerns that are discussed within this issue: the constitutional rights of both the woman and the fetus, the development of the fetus, and the statistics between the harm restricting abortion and the loss of life caused by abortions. Allowing Americans to partake in abortions, revokes the nation’s moral values. It is situations and matters like these that define America. Abortion has not always been legal in the United States. In 1965, the nation declared abortion illegal in all fifty states, with the exception of extreme cases that resulted in harm for the mother. In 1970, the wome n’s rights movement became strongly active. This resulted in the Roe v. Wade case (1973). The Supreme Court ruled that laws against abortion were unconstitutional due to violation of women’s rights. The administrators ruled that an unborn fetus is not a person. However, the court did not attempt to conclude when the fetus does become a person. Today, there is still no proven answer, causing this matter to be one of the biggest arguments of this debate. By 2013, the number of abortions grew to over 1Show MoreRelatedAbortion, Right, Public Policy, And Constitutional Law Essay1816 Words   |  8 PagesAbortion, Right to Life Abortion raises subtle problems for private conscience, public policy, and constitutional law. Most of these problems are essentially philosophical, requiring a degree of clarity about basic concepts that is seldom achieved in legislative debates and letters to newspapers (Feinberg 1984: 1). Abortion is the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy. Abortion is a reality for many women in the Philippines, butRead MoreEssay about Although Controversial, Abortion is a Reality845 Words   |  4 PagesPolicy Proposal Abortion is a topic that most people prefer not to talk about. Nonetheless, although it is a controversial topic, it is also an undeniable reality. Many women have practiced abortion and many more will continue doing it regardless of the laws allowing, restricting, or prohibiting this practice. According to statistics provided by Planned Parenthood 3 out of 10 women in the U.S. have an abortion by the time they are 45 years old. Abortion was legalized by the Supreme Court inRead MoreEssay on In Defense Of Abortion1638 Words   |  7 PagesWithout legal prohibitions, women in Europe and the United States provided abortions and trained each other to perform the procedures. In the past century different states had begun to outlaw any procedure that would terminate or avoid pregnancy. In 1973(?) the United States Supreme Court asserted a womans constitutional right to abortion in determining Roe v. Wade. After several decades of quiet disagreement, abortion has once again becom e a political hotbed. Under the direction of religiousRead MoreIs Abortion A Moral And Constitutional Issue?999 Words   |  4 Pagesfighting for equal right. These brave women have fought for changes in government, employment, education, and religion. The subject of abortion is no different than the battle for equality in wages. The topic of abortion as been a heated debate for generations. The right to abortion, as controversial as it may be, is still a fight for a woman’s right to choose. Many people can agree that the proposition of abortion is both a moral and constitutional issue. A person s right to choose what theyRead MoreArgumentative Essay On Abortion935 Words   |  4 PagesAbortion is a topic that a lot of people either shy away from and do not want to talk about or are very quick to fill you in on their opinions and has been a highly debated topic ever since the Roe v. Wade Supreme court decision in 1973. Even before Roe v. Wade, most people had a clea r view of where they stand on the issue. In recent years this debate has been growing more and more popular. Whether one considers the fetus or is on side of the mother, the Constitution can be related back to abortionRead MoreAbortion Is A Legal Right For All Women892 Words   |  4 Pagesthe creation of the Bill of Rights, the United States of America has ensured life, liberty, and happiness to each and every citizen who resides within its broad borders. Over the course of 200 years, America has undergone several â€Å"revisions† of the law and the Constitution. Over the past several decades, debates regarding Constitutional rights have raged all over America, from state courts, all the way to the supreme court. Recently, the constitutionality of abortion has been a major topic, mostRead MoreThe Death Of Roe V. Wade1571 Words   |  7 PagesDying to Live In 1973, Roe v. Wade ruled a state law that banned abortions, except in the cases of risking the life of the mother, unconstitutional (Garrow 833). The Court ruled that states were forbidden from regulating or outlawing abortion performed during the first trimester of a woman’s pregnancy, could pass abortion regulations if they were related to the health of the mother in the second and third trimesters, and pass abortion laws protecting the life of the fetus in the third trimester (PaltrowRead MoreShould Abortion Be Legal?1340 Words   |  6 PagesWhile abortion is legal in the United States, the law is diverse among many Americans who assert a great level of opinion regarding the topic. Issues regarding the legalization and procedures that govern the law makes it controversial in nature. Since the Supreme Court’s decision in making abortion legal, there has been a great divide between those who support the advancement of the law, while there is a deep moral reserve f or opponents who ethically challenge these regulations. Since the inceptionRead MoreThe Supreme Courts Involvement with Abortion Essay examples1384 Words   |  6 PagesThe Supreme Courts Involvement with Abortion Never in the history of the United States, with the exception of the Slave Trade, has a public policy carved such an unmistakable social divide. Never before has a public policy spurned so many questions about social and political standards of American culture. To understand the abortion controversy and ultimately the Supreme Court’s involvement and decision in Roe v. Wade, the roots of abortion must be examined. The American public turned toRead More History Of Abortion In The Court Essay1592 Words   |  7 Pages Abortion. The word alone provokes strong emotion in both women and men alike. Roe v. Wade was decided twenty five years ago, but still the fight is not over. Instead, there are mass rallies, bombings of abortion clinics, murders of doctors and workers at such clinics, intimidation, arrest, political lobbying, and numerous Supreme Court cases. What is it that divides families, and keeps old friends from speaking to one another on the topic? Why are opinions so polarized and why are minds so closed

The Food Up With Popcorn - 1636 Words

Power up with popcorn Have you found yourself stuck in the three-meals-a-day cycle for some time now? Well, it might make you feel better to learn that you’re not actually alone. The vast majority of people get hung up on the widely accepted misconception that eating more than the traditional three meals a day constitutes as some sort of dietary failure. While it’s true that eating calorie-laden snacks between meals is no recipe for good health, limiting yourself to the ancient breakfast, lunch and dinner format isn’t doing you any favours either. Forget three square meals a day and most certainly forget snacking in between meals. Your new healthy eating regime consists of six mini meals but while it may be super healthy, sitting down to eat six small meals a day won’t always be convenient which is why we’re going to show you not only why this style of eating habit is healthy, but just how healthy popcorn can make it more convenient, achievable and enjoyable too. While it may sound like a contradiction in the sense of eating more and eating one of your favourite snack foods, but with a little focus and a little education, eating six mini meals instead of three large meals a day will not only add to your diet in terms of variety but will help you to feel fuller and much more healthy overall. A healthy eating regime with a little popcorn fun Your very first step in eating six diverse meals a day is to kick the word snack out of your vocabulary entirely. The word snackShow MoreRelatedHow Cobs Organic Popcorn - Lightly Salted1026 Words   |  5 Pages1. Introduction of the report (50-92) The purpose of this report is to identify how Cobs organic popcorn – lightly salted, slightly sweet uses the Marketing Mix to attract their target market and effects on consumer purchase decisions. â€Å"Marketing Mix† is made up of 4P’s of marketing. This tool blends these variables together to produce the results it wants to achieve in its specific target market. â€Å"Brand Position† mentions to consumer’s reason to buy the products in preference to others. This reportRead MoreFood Fuel Lab Report : Food Burning Lab1453 Words   |  6 PagesSam Caplan Food Burning Lab Report Introduction: In the first experiment of the year, the food burning lab, the class explored how much energy is contained in different types of food. In order to understand the experiment, one must understand what energy is and the different types of energy that were explored in the experiment. Energy is the ability to get work done. There are many different types of energy that can help accomplish this. These include heat energy, kinetic energy, light energy, soundRead More Harvey Wallbanger Popcorn Essay1053 Words   |  5 Pagespresident of Harvey Wallbanger Popcorn, entered the popcorn market in 1972. He is considered to be the person most responsible for creating a gourmet popcorn market in the United States. His claim to fame is that his corn is lighter, fluffier, â€Å"tenderer†, and bigger than ordinary popcorn. He also boasts that his popcorn has fewer hard, unpopped kernels than competitive products. Harvey’s company sells popcorn to several markets in the United States: 1. Unpopped corn sold to food stores for the consumerRead MoreWhich Brand of Popcorn Pops Up the Most Corn?1597 Words   |  7 PagesWhich Brand Of Popcorn Pops Up The Most Corn? By A. Stone Problem Nobody likes to get to the end of their popcorn bowl only to have most of the popcorn not popped. It is very frustrating to purchase popcorn and end up with a bowl of un-popped kernels. Well, this experiment is to determine which brand of popcorn yields the least amount of un-popped kernels? Reason The reason I decided on doing this project is because the materials required are inexpensive and easily available at most grocery orRead MoreElementary Hosts Popcorn At School1397 Words   |  6 PagesEvery other Friday, Cascades Elementary hosts Popcorn Friday in their cafeteria. Volunteers come and help make, bag, and distribute the salty snack to the classrooms. The line goes popcorn machine, empty bags, bag folders and tape placers, finished bags, and classroom totes. However, to make the line flow easily, the line might go; empty bags, popcorn machine, bag folders, tapers, finished bags in lines of five, and the classroom totes that are brought up from the classroom. This suggested lineup requiresRead MoreThe Impact Of Gmos On The Us1282 Words   |  6 PagesOrville Redenbacher’s popcorn advertisement displays an iconic symbol of Pacman. The Pacman is made of popcorn and is facing left to Ritz crackers that resemble the yellow balls, the ritz follow the pattern of three crackers left and four crackers down. This pattern draws the viewer’s attention to the slogan â€Å"Our 100 calories make their 100 calories feel small†. The slogan reveals to the viewer that 100 calories could either be six Ritz crackers or a large mound of popcorn. Following the slogan,Read MoreMisleading Labels On Food Products1712 Words   |  7 Pagesthey eat, especially when their food comes from a vague source and processed with unknown techniques. It makes it very difficult to try and regulate what goes into each and everyone’s bodies if the package labeling on food products does not perfectly reflect the nutritional value within. With food industries leaving out certain information, and/or not making it very visible, it can lead to increased public health problems including allergies and diabetes. The Food and Drug Administration, FDA, atRead MoreEssay on Parents ´ Negligence Leads to Child Obesity863 Words   |  4 PagesWhen children see commercials, they either want their parents to get the advertised product or the teenagers go get it themselves. Many parents believe it is about the exercise that will keep children fit and healthy, but instead it’s mostly about the food the children are eating. Some people are realizing this is a bigger issue and taking action. As defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary, negligence is failure to take the care that a responsible person usually takes. How could this be becauseRead MoreAn Unbiased Report On The Regulating Of Food1125 Words   |  5 Pagesa thorough overview of the regulating of food. It is an unbiased report showing various viewpoints and stories about the healthcare debates. Discussing issues such as raising tax money on sugary drinks, expanding nutrition labels, restrict portion sizes and the regulation of food additives, linking Americans to disease and a rising obesity rate. He speaks on issues of the ‘new, healthier’ school lunches being unattractive to the average kid, causing food waste, and not curing childhood obesityRead MoreEssay on Frito Lay - Cracker Jack Case Analysis1561 Words   |  7 PagesCompany - Cracker Jack 1. Why has Borden Foods decided to sell Cracker Jack? Borden Foods is in the process of divesting of snack and non-food products in order to focus efforts and resources in growing their pasta and grain based meal segments. Borden management has also recognized the value and equity in the heritage Cracker Jack brand. The Cracker Jack brand currently (1996) sits in the number two position in terms of Ready-To-Eat (RTE) caramel popcorn product category market share with approximately

African Americans and Cardiovascular Disease free essay sample

Abstract This paper introduces a new approach understanding about the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in African Americans, to improve self-efficacy for diet and physical activity, and to increase intentions to eat healthier and be physically active. This paper examines the effects of risks associated with being an African American with cardiovascular disease. These changes in behavioral, educational and physical activity may reverse the effects of cardiovascular disease. Providing education about the risk factors for cardiovascular disease can offer a reduction in early death amongst young African American men. African Americans and Cardiovascular Disease Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is a term used to describe diseases of the heart and blood vessels, in which the blood vessels are blocked and leads to various forms of CVD such as stroke, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis, and congenital heart defects. According to the American Heart Association (2009), more Americans die from CVD than any other disease and African Americans are at a greater risk for the disease than any other ethnic group (pp32). CVD is the number one killer of African American males in the United States. The American Heart Associations’ statistics show that 45. 9% of African American men have some form of CVD, 32. 4% of these African Americans will die before the age of fifty. Over 100,000 black men die each year from CVD; this is 274 men every day, and 11 men an hour. There are many factors that contribute to this disparity, but most of these factors can be corrected or prevented. The cardiovascular diseases that are the greatest threat to African Americans are coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and high cholesterol. The risk factors or causes for these diseases are usually linked or overlapping, that is factors that contribute to high cholesterol also may cause stroke or heart disease. The methods of reversing or preventing these diseases are pretty similar or the same for one another. About the Major Diseases Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in the United States among African American men (Medline 2009); it is a disease where the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart narrow. This narrowing of the blood vessels is due to the buildup of plaque on the walls of the arteries; this plaque comes from an overload of cholesterol in the blood system. As the coronary arteries narrow, blood flow to the heart can slow down or even stop. â€Å"This can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, heart failure, and heart attacks† (Medline, 2009). There are many factors that increase risk factors for CHD and there are factors that can be controlled and some factors you cannot control. The factors you cannot control are heredity, in which there is a family history of CHD especially if they had it before the age of fifty, and age or gender, where men are more susceptible to this disease and at an earlier age than women. Then there are factors that you can control such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, alcohol abuse, not exercising, and excessive stress. High blood pressure (HBP) is the restriction of blood flow through the vessels thus putting extra strain on the heart and damaging blood vessels. African American Community Health Advisory Committee’s factsheet (2008) states, â€Å"Twenty-eight percent of African American men are affected by HBP, and it is the cause of 65,000 deaths a year. † High blood pressure increases the pressure in the arteries, and as the heart pumps against this pressure, the heart has to work harder. If left untreated, this will cause the heart muscle to thicken and the left ventricle will become enlarged. The enlarging of the left ventricle reduces the amount of blood pumped by the heart each minute and congestive heart failure may occur. HBP also contributes to the thickening of the blood vessel wall, which increases the cholesterol deposits in the vessels. This combination increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Stroke or Cerebrovascular disease is a risk factor for heart disease where the supply of blood to the brain is interrupted. A stroke can occur when a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain is blocked by a clot, or a blood vessel breaks open, causing blood to leak into the brain. If the flow of blood is stopped for longer than a few seconds, the brain cannot get blood and oxygen which will cause brain cells to die and can result in permanent damage. According to Medline (2009), â€Å"Approximately every forty seconds someone in the United States has a stroke. † (p. 164). High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for strokes (Medline 2009), but diabetes, family history, high cholesterol, alcohol abuse, and head injury also increase the odds of having a stroke. High blood cholesterol, also known as lipid disorder, is caused when there are too many fatty substances in the blood. Cholesterol is made naturally by the body, but also comes from eating an unhealthy diet of fatty meats, eggs, and dairy. Along with an unhealthy diet, high cholesterol is associated with diabetes, inactivity, alcohol use, and smoking. Prevention and Treatment Cardiovascular disease is scary and could strike at any minute, but now is not the time to be scared. Now is the time to take action, because CVD is preventable or treatable. Preventing premature CVD, before the age of fifty, is crucial; heart attacks between the age of thirty and sixty are primarily due to lifestyle factors. Smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and lack of physical activity are the most serious risk factors for CVD and heart attacks. Controlling one of these risk factors can help control the others. For example, regular exercise can help control cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, and stress levels. Obesity and type two diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate, and due to a high-fat, high calorie diet, and an inactive lifestyle. Much of poor Urban Americans have easier access to highly processed foods, convenience foods, and fast foods than to fresh fruits and vegetables. A proper diet is one of the best ways to combat heart disease. Changing unhealthy eating habits greatly reduces the risk for heart disease. For optimal health, health Professionals recommend: * Maintaining a healthy weight, with a body mass index of 18. 5-24. 9. * Limiting the amount fat in your diet. * Increasing the intake of omega-3 fatty acids. These acids are found in fish, fish oils, and flax seed. * Limiting sodium intake. * Increase potassium intake. * Eating five servings of fruits and vegetables. * Eating a plant-based diet consisting of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Eat at least twenty-five grams of fiber daily. * Eating at least twenty-five grams of soy protein daily. * Not smoking. * Getting regular exercise. * Avoiding or reducing stress. In addition to diet modification, physical activity should also be used to help prevent CVD. â€Å"People who are not physically active have twice the risk of heart disease as those who are active. † (Delores, 2004). Mor e than half of African American men do not achieve recommended levels of physical activity. The recommended amount of activity is thirty minutes a day, five days a week. This will slow down the narrowing of the blood vessels, increase blood flow, strengthen the heart muscle, and reduce stress. The purpose of this research paper is to inform, not to scare. African American men should know that CVD is a treatable and preventable disease. Young black men do not need to die from a disease that is treatable and preventable. They should not let social economics dictate their eating habits. Dr. Cooper, Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Emory, said, â€Å"Develop a proactive attitude about your health. We need to get away from the idea that heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes are just a way of life in the African American Community. Perhaps your mom or dad had high blood pressure and died young but you do not need to accept that you will have those problems. You need to realize maybe mom was obese and never exercised and dad ate an unhealthy, high fat diet. † If you are African American and know you are at an elevated risk, go to the doctor at least once a year and get a check-up. Pay close attention to your diet, be more active, watch your weight, and minimize your stress.