African-American physicians walk with kids

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NEW ORLEANS, July 25 (UPI) -- African-American physicians nationwide say they will join local residents of all ages for Walk a Mile with a Child, and health festival in New Orleans.

Dr. Cedric Bright, president of the National Medical Association -- the nation's oldest and largest medical association of more than 50,000 African-American physicians and their patients -- said the Walk a Mile with a Child is conducted in every city in which the NMA annual convention is held to raise awareness about the nation's rising rate in obesity.

"Our message is simple," Bright said in a statement. "Exercise like walking, along with a proper diet, should be part of a daily regimen. There are no membership fees, it's low impact, doesn't require practice, and the only equipment is a good pair of walking shoes."

The 1-mile fitness walk, scheduled for Saturday -- registration at 6:30 a.m., walk begins at 7 a.m. -- is followed by a Health Festival from 8:15 a.m. until noon at Xavier University.

Activities at the Health Festival include interactive seminars on heart disease, men's health, children's health, mental health, diabetes, nutrition, exercise and prostate cancer.

In addition to free medical screenings for high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, hepatitis C, vision exams, and the HIV Rapid Test, there will be food, giveaways and raffles for such prizes as WiiFit, an MP3 Player and flat screen television, Bright said.