April 7th marks World Health Day with community leaders, organizations and health experts across the nation continuing their work to improve the health and wellness of members within their neighborhood and beyond.
This past weekend, First Lady Michelle Obama celebrated the fifth anniversary of her Let’s Move campaign at the White House Easter Egg Roll with a choreographed routine to Mark Ronson’s Uptown Funk alongside a group of So You Think You Can Dance all-star dancers. Since the inception of her health initiative, the nation has seen signs of improvement with obesity rates having dropped 43 percent among young children. But with more than one-third of U.S. adults still classified as obese, it’s clear that the work of America is far from done.
[Related: Kelly Rowland on Baby Weight Loss and 5 Affordable Foods that Burn Fat]
With the goal to improve the health of those around them, take a look at five black health and wellness experts you should follow in honor of World Health Day.
Kevin Curry:
As the founder of Fit Men Cook, Curry uses his blog and social media pages to not only share healthy food ideas/recipes, but to also motivate others to join him on his fitness journey.
Instagram and Twitter: @fitmencook
Dr. Ian Smith:
Known as a New York Times bestselling author of Shred, The 4 Day Diet, The Fat Smash Diet and Extreme Fat Smash Diet, Dr. Smith is the co-host of The Doctors TV show, a medical contributor to The Rachel Ray Show and a host of the nationally syndicated radio show HealthWatch.
As the founder of two national health initiatives — the 50 Million Pound Challenge and the Makeover Mile — Dr. Smith has helped millions lose weight and improve their health. In 2010, President Obama appointed him to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.
Instagram: @doctoriansmith
Twitter: @DrIanSmith
AJ Johnson:
While many people still remember AJ Johnson from her role in the 2001 classic film Baby Boy,
the actress has expanded her résumé beyond the big screen with the start of her company The AJ Zone where she serves as a health and wellness coach for some of Hollywood’s hottest talent.Instagram and Twitter: @TheAJZone
Dr. Janet Taylor:
Dr. Taylor is a community psychiatrist who has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and This Morning. She served as a panelist at Black Enterprise’s 2015 Women of Power Summit, where she spoke to hundreds of professional women about overcoming mental health issues.
Twitter: @drjanet
Jeanette Jenkins:
Known as one of the go-to trainers in Hollywood, Jenkins is responsible for helping celebrities like Kelly Rowland, Tia Mowry and more snap back after giving birth. Offering nutritional and exercise tips on her social media pages, Jenkins’ images of herself and celebrity clients will serve as the motivation you need to improve your health.
Instagram: @MsJeanetteJenkins
Twitter: @JeanetteJenkins