African-Americans pursue health, well-being.

Though awareness is growing across the board of the health and fitness connection, African-American consumers in particular are making note of its importance.

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Statistics indicate African-Americans have higher incidences of diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, each of which can be reduced with changes in diet and lifestyle. There has been an increase in consumer education programs targeting African-Americans that provide information on these diseases and the health-fitness connection. According to the Food Marketing Institute's "The African-American Grocery Shopper" research, 44 percent of African-American shoppers are concerned about what they eat. This group is focusing greater attention on tipping the scales toward better health.

In Chicago, there has been an increase in the availability of spas and wellness centers located in neighborhoods that provide more access to health and nutrition information, stress management programs and health screenings. Out-of-home dining options have expanded to include restaurants focused on meatless choices such as the Soul Vegetarian restaurant. Grocers are also stocking shelves with healthier foods made with, for example, less sugar or salt. New products that are of interest to African-American consumers include fat-free products such as Mrs. Richardson's Fat Free Ice Cream Toppings, soy-based dairy products and salt-substitute seasonings. Leonard Harris, president of Chatham Food Center Inc., located on Chicago's South Side, noted, "There has been a slight increase in consumer interest for health oriented items including lower-fat and salt-substitute products."

Charla Draper is a Chicago-based contributor to The TrendSpotters Network, a team of nationally recognized food experts who pinpoint food trends locally to develop smart marketing solutions regionally and nationally. For TrendSpotters information, contact Nancy Byal at nbyal@people.com or 641/363-4539.