“REAL MEN COOK” Foundation:
Obesity Prevention Initiative (OPI) Program
Elaine G. Williams, Ph.D., R.D.
Nutrition Consultant
Los Angeles, California
“REAL MEN COOK” Foundation
OPI Program Pictorial
“REAL MEN COOK” Foundation OPI Program
Emmanuel Turner AME Church Graduation Announcement
“REAL MEN COOK” Foundation
• Founded in February, 1994
• Founder – Dr. Fred D. Parrot, OB-GYN
• Early initiatives:
1. Scholarships for Medical Students at four
Historically Black Medical Schools
2. Prostate Cancer Education, Outreach and
Screening
FUNDRAISING STRATEGY
• Teams of Chefs from community businesses,
organizations, universities and medical
schools, social service and health agencies
came together at local hotels to compete, chat
and chew.
• Male participants made their favorite recipes
with enough for sampling. Teams were judged
on their presentation and quality of the dish.
OBESITY PREVENTION INITIATIVE (OPI) PROGRAM
• Faith, community, political leaders and
university/community doctors working
together to mobilize efforts toward the
elimination of the health disparity that exists
in inner city communities, and saving the lives
of medically underserved and
underrepresented minority women from the
epidemic of obesity.
RMCF – OPI HONORED PARTNERS
• University of Southern California Norris
Comprehensive Cancer Center
• University of California at Los Angeles
• Charles Drew Medical Society
• Kaiser Permanente
• Association of Black Women Physicians
• Senior Pastors at Baptist, Methodist, Catholic
And non denominational churches
• Health Professionals
Health, Nutrition and Fitness Programs
• RMCF – OPI will teach, train and mentor 240
women to be Nutrition and Fitness
Ambassadors
• Each Ambassador will outreach to 100 women
and their congregations within the target
community
OPI Program Components
• Metabolic comprehensive diagnostic
laboratory studies
• Medical/health screening
• Psychological counseling
• Nutrition component
• Fitness component
• Life Coach
MEDICAL GOALS
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Reduction in blood glucose
Reduction in blood pressure
Reduction in weight
Reduction in BMI
Develop long term physician relationship
Increase use of primary prevention strategies
NUTRITION CURRICULUM
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12 Weeks in length
One hour interactive presentations
Completion of daily worksheets
Skills development exercises
Recipes, cookbooks, class handouts
Three phases of curriculum
Phase I
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Identification of problems and issues
Dietary patterns of African Americans
Causes of obesity epidemic
Health disparities
Health risks and consequences of obesity
Weight Management goals
Dietary Patterns of African Americans
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Roots in west Africa
Slavery in USA
Urban and regional migration
Civil Rights Movement
Feminist Movement
Rise of Black Middle Class
Disenfranchisement in urban
cities/schools/families
Phase II- Nutrition Skills
• Healthy Eating – Dietary Guidelines for
Americans, Food pyramid, Food Plate
• Essential nutrients and food sources; functional
foods
• Hunger and satiety- Guides to eating
• Menu planning
• Shopping on a budget
• Food preparation, food safety
• Eating on the run, eating out, healthy beverages
and snacks
Phase III – Triple Threat:
Co-Morbidities of Obesity
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Diabetes
Hypertension
Hyperlipidemias
Low calorie, low carbohydrate, low sodium,
low fat and high fiber eating plans
FITNESS CURRICULUM
• 12 Weeks, 2 days a week
• Assessments- physical testing, body
measurements, before pictures
• Circuit training (combination of high intensity
aerobics and resistance training
1. Resistance training
2. Core training/abs
3. Boxing/Pilates/Yoga
FITNESS CURRICULUM, CONT’D
• Focus on me Day- (focus on certain body
parts)
1. Runaway Booty
2. Stepping to the challenge
3. Med ball mania
• How strong am I now
• Final Workout – final assessments, final
measurements, after photos
SPIRITUAL COACH- WILLINGNESS
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Have a willing mind
Have a willing heart
Have a willing spirit
Live in integrity
Be willing to do the work
GRADUATION CEREMONY
• Become a full fledged “REAL MEN COOK”
Foundation OPI Ambassador
• Receive Certificate of Completion
• Recognition from Senior Pastor of church
• Receive proclamation from public figures
• Receive RMCF – OPI Foundation Pin
• Receive the full version of OPI Tool Kit
“REAL MEN COOK” Foundation
Obesity Prevention Initiative (OPI) Program
129 Reef Mall
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 822-1982
pr@realmencookfoundation.org
www.realmencookfoundation.org