Our America with Lisa Ling on OWN. I watched a documentary on a study of childhood obesity and it was heartbreaking!

Little Rock, AR. A four year old boy that weighs 101 pounds. He is so addicted to food that he cries and throws tantrums for more food. His mom wants to say no, but has a difficult time saying no because  it breaks her heart for her son to cry for food, even though she knows  for his health she should say no. At night this precious child sleeps with a mask to help him breathe because he has sleep apnea. The doctor said if this doesn't change by time he's twenty, he'll be 500 pounds!

Durant, MS. A twelve year old girl that weighs 347 pounds. She eats all the wrong things at home and at school. At home her mom prepare "soul food"...mac 'n cheese, potato salad, friend chicken,and more, and at school hot dogs, french fries, chocolate milk, etc. This sweet girl has been bullied and has been called vile names, which attacked her self-esteem. This child faces diabetes, CVD, which can cut her life short. She wants to know how she can weigh this much since she  is only a kid. I lost it at that point because she is absolutely right in wanting answers, but the answer is at home. This girl is morbidly obese. Her mom said she prepares food the way she was taught and doesn't know how to shop for or prepare healthy food. The only food she buys in the form of fresh vegetables is cabbage which she fries or boils so the nutrients are lost. I believe if someone taught the mom how to shop and to explains the perimeter of the grocery store, and the things to stay away from, change will happen because when you know better, you do better.

When you are morbidly obese you have the threat of:

1. type 2 diabetes
2. heart disease
3. hypertension
4. cancer
5. death 

This young girl will be a success story. She is determined to get the weight off and has started exercising. She went to her first dance and was beautiful! She has a long way to go and she will WIN her battle of obesity. She is doing it for herself!

The Cooking Channel's: The Food Hospital UK - An eighteen year old young lady, had to have gastric bypass surgery so she wouldn't die. She now knows what she can and cannot eat, and she is ready to lose weight and eat healthy.

All of these stories touched me in a very private way because I lost my brother due to complications or morbid obesity, and years ago I was obese.  Children eat what they are given, but as adults, we can make better choices. If this culture doesn't change, parents will bury their children instead of children burying parents.

If you want to get a glimpse of these stories view here http://bit.ly/UGlHTU

Blackberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and E.

Vitamin C helps to protect against infections and cancers

Vitamin E is effective for heart and circulatory problems

Blackberries are also a good source of potassium and fiber pectin. Potassium functions as an electrolyte and is essential for the conversion of blood sugar into glycogen. Glycogen is the storage form of blood sugar found in the muscles and liver.  Fiber pectin helps to eliminate cholesterol, and protects against environmental toxins.

• The body uses vitamin C for protection from immune system deficiencies, and may reduce the chances of macular degeneration, a condition in which fine vision deteriorates, resulting in central vision loss and is the leading cause of blindness in people over 50.
• The immune system uses vitamin C to fight illness adequate vitamin C intake may lower the risk of developing heart disease. One cup of blackberries contains over thirty percent of the daily recommended amount of fiber, promoting healthy digestion and reducing the risk of heart disease.
• Blackberries are a good source of vitamin K, offering 36% of the daily recommended amount of this nutrient used by the body for the clotting of blood and to aid the absorption of calcium.

The exact causes of cancer fatigue and how best to treat it aren’t always clear. Find out what doctors know about cancer fatigue and what you can do about it.

Fatigue, usually described as feeling tired, weak or exhausted, affects most people during cancer treatment. Cancer fatigue can result from the side effects of treatment or the cancer itself.

Causes of cancer fatigue

Cancer fatigue may be caused by many factors, and the factors that contribute to your cancer fatigue may be completely different from those of someone you know. However, possible contributing factors include:

• Your cancer. Your cancer can cause changes to your body that can lead to fatigue. For instance, some cancers release proteins called cytokines, which are thought to cause fatigue. Other cancers can increase your body’s need for energy, weaken your muscles or alter your body’s hormones, all of which may contribute to fatigue.
• Cancer treatment. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, bone marrow transplantation and biological therapy may all cause fatigue. You may experience fatigue when chemotherapy or radiation therapy destroys healthy cells in addition to the targeted cancer cells. Fatigue may occur as your body tries to repair the damage to healthy cells and tissue. Some treatment side effects — such as anemia, nausea, vomiting, pain, insomnia and changes in mood — also may cause fatigue.
• Anemia. You might develop anemia if your treatment destroys too many healthy red blood cells. You can also develop anemia if the cancer has spread to your bone marrow and interferes with blood cell production or causes you to lose blood.
• Pain. If you experience chronic pain, you may be less active, eat less, sleep less and become depressed, all of which may add to your fatigue.
• Emotions. Anxiety, stress or depression associated with your cancer diagnosis also may lead to fatigue.
• Lack of sleep. If you’re sleeping less at night or if your sleep is frequently interrupted, you may experience fatigue.
• Poor nutrition. In order to work efficiently, you need the energy that a healthy diet provides. When you have cancer, changes can occur in your need for and ability to process nutrients. These changes can lead to poor nutrition, resulting in fatigue. For example, you may need more nutrients than usual or you may not be able to process nutrients adequately. You may also take in fewer nutrients if your appetite wanes or if treatment side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, make it difficult to eat.
• Medications. Certain medications, such as pain relievers, can cause fatigue.
• Lack of exercise. If you’re used to being on the go, slowing down can make you feel fatigued. Though you will have good days and bad days, try to maintain your normal level of activity if you can.
• Hormonal changes. Many hormonal changes can occur during cancer treatment. Hormonal therapies may modify hormones as a way to treat cancer. Hormonal changes also may occur as side effects of treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Changes to the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, testes or ovaries can all cause fatigue.

Not everyone who has cancer experiences fatigue. And if you do, the level of cancer fatigue you experience can vary — you may feel a mild lack of energy, or you may feel completely wiped out. Your cancer fatigue may occur episodically and last just a short while, or it may last for several months after you complete treatment.

When to contact your doctor

Some fatigue during cancer treatment is to be expected. But if you find that cancer fatigue is persistent, lasting weeks, and interferes with your ability to go about your everyday tasks, tell your doctor.

Tell your doctor right away if you experience:

• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Loss of balance
• Inability to get out of bed for more than 24 hours
• Severe shortness of breath
• Worsening signs and symptoms

What to tell your doctor

If you’re fatigued, your doctor may examine you and ask you questions to assess the severity and nature of your symptoms. This gives your doctor clues about what’s causing your cancer fatigue and how to treat it.

Your doctor might ask questions such as these:

• When did you begin experiencing fatigue?
• Has it progressed since your diagnosis?
• How severe is it?
• How long does it last?
• What eases it?
• What makes it worse?
• How does it affect your daily life?
• Do you experience shortness of breath or chest discomfort?
• How well are you sleeping?
• How and what are you eating?
• How are you feeling emotionally?

In addition to these questions, your doctor will likely conduct a physical exam and further evaluate your medical history, the type or types of treatment you are receiving or have received, and any medications you’re taking. He or she may recommend some tests, such as blood tests or X-rays, specific to your condition.

Coping strategies: Medical treatments and self-care

Because cancer-related fatigue may be caused by many factors, your doctor may suggest more than one method to reduce and cope with your symptoms. These may include self-care methods and, in certain cases, medications or medical procedures.

Medical interventions
Medications may be available to treat the underlying cause of your fatigue. For instance, if your fatigue is the result of anemia, blood transfusions may help. Medications that stimulate your bone marrow to produce more red blood cells might be another option, though, as with any medicine, these medications must be used with appropriate cautions.

If you’re depressed, your doctor might suggest medications that can help reduce fatigue, increase appetite and improve your sense of well-being.

Self-care options
Coping with fatigue might require things you can do on your own. You might try to:

• Take it easy. Set aside time in your day to rest. Take short naps — no longer than an hour — throughout the day rather than resting for one long period.
• Conserve your energy. Save your energy for your most important activities. Keep track of the times when you feel your best, and plan to do your important activities during those times. Ask for help when needed.
• Maintain your energy. Drinking lots of fluids and eating well can help keep your energy reserves up. Limit or avoid caffeine and alcohol. If nausea and vomiting make it hard to eat, talk to your doctor about these side effects.
• Get moving. When you feel up to it, light exercise throughout the week may help you preserve your energy level. But keep in mind that once you start feeling fatigued, it may be too late to start an exercise program because it’s hard to find the energy to get going. Instead, exercise regularly as you start treatment. You’ll get in the routine of exercising, and it may even help you prevent fatigue during treatment.

Speak up about your fatigue

Don’t assume the fatigue you’re experiencing is just part of the cancer experience. If it’s frustrating you or affecting your ability to go about your day, it’s time to talk with your doctor.

Though fatigue is a common symptom when you have cancer, there are steps you can take to reduce or cope with your condition. If you’re feeling fatigued, talk with your doctor about what factors might be causing your fatigue and what you can do to improve them.

Information from www.mayoclinic.com