The spirit of awareness, education, and community engagement was on full display at the recent Healthy Relationships Expo & Resource Fair, held on April 8, on the campus of Voorhees University. This event brought together students, faculty, staff, and community members for an impactful experience centered on promoting healthy relationship dynamics and raising awareness about domestic and dating violence.
The expo featured 10 dedicated vendors representing a range of organizations and services focused on advocacy, prevention, and support. Participating vendors included SC VINE/SC Department of Corrections, Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office, SC Attorney General’s Office – Department of Crime Victim Compensation (DCVC), CASA Family Systems, SC Attorney General’s Office, Tiger Plus, SCCADVASA, and Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office. Each
organization provided valuable resources, information, and support services, allowing attendees to engage directly and learn more about the help available within their communities. With over 50 student participants, along with faculty, staff, and members of the surrounding community, the event created a vibrant and informative space for open dialogue and connection.
Mr. Jamal DeWalt, Project Director of Campus Against
Dating Abuse (CADA), comments that “one of the most powerful moments of the event came from a domestic violence survivor who courageously shared their personal story. Their testimony provided a deeply moving and eye-opening perspective, helping attendees better understand the realities of abuse while emphasizing the importance of support systems, awareness, and prevention. The survivor’s presence added
a meaningful and human element to the event, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.”
Throughout the expo, participants engaged in conversations about healthy communication, boundaries, consent, and bystander intervention. The event successfully fostered an environment where individuals felt encouraged to ask questions, seek guidance, and reflect on their own relationships.
The Healthy Relationships Expo & Resource Fair stands as a testament to the commitments of Voorhees University and its Rural Community Development Institute to creating a safe and informed campus community. By bringing together education, resources, and real-life experiences, the event not only raised awareness but also empowered attendees to build healthier, safer relationships moving forward.
Page 5 – Carolina Panorama Newspaper – April 22 – 28, 2026
Stopping Middle-Age Spread
If you’re an adult in the U.S., you can expect to gain 10 to 25 pounds between your 20s and your 40s. Starting between ages 30 and 40, you may find losing weight and exercising more challenging. The exercise you do may not have the same effect as before. It’s not necessarily a sign that something is wrong. This weight gain in middle age—known as “middleage spread”—is a natural consequence of aging.
“Your metabolism tends to slow down as you get older,” says NIH’s Dr. Rafael de Cabo, an expert on aging. “But your appetite and your food intake do not. So, you have a steady increase of body weight with age.”
Much of the weight gain comes in the form of fat tissue. The distribution of fat in your body also shifts. There’s less under your skin and more around your internal organs. Meanwhile, you start to lose lean muscle with age. Many people also become less active as they age, especially if they have a job that involves a lot of sitting. This can lead to further fat gain and muscle loss.
Those extra pounds have consequences beyond your clothes not fitting. The risk of many chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases, goes up with age. Excess weight can further heighten these risks.
Fortunately, you can take steps to maintain a healthy weight as you age. Your diet can play a key role. Having a slower metabolism means you’ll need
fewer calories. But you also want to make sure you still get all the nutrients your body needs. Get tips on healthy eating as you age.
De Cabo studies the effects of dietary changes on health and longevity. One example is intermittent fasting, in which meals are interspersed with long fasting periods. For example, you might limit eating to only eight hours per day. Studies suggest intermittent fasting may help some people to eat less and keep weight off. But De Cabo and others have been finding that it might also have benefits for your metabolism.
His work has shown that mice live longer and stay healthier when they go for long periods between meals. This was true even if they were eating the same amounts and types of foods as mice that ate whenever they wanted. Other studies have also suggested that periods of fasting may bring benefits beyond weight loss.
Physical activity is important for combating the changes that come with aging, too.
“The key is to maintain an active lifestyle,” de Cabo says. “Try to incorporate daily walks or daily visits to the gym. If you have an office job, get a standup desk, so you spend a few hours a day standing instead of sitting. Small doses of exercise throughout the day will help tremendously.”
For more suggestions on how to fight age-related weight changes, see the Wise Choices box. (NIH)
