Nutrition Pair spent the past week teaching nutrition to elementary school students at PW Moore Elementary School in Elizabeth City.  We were asked to speak at the request of the school’s Physical Education teacher, Ms. Willemina Cartwright. “I want to get the children starting this school year in the right direction”, she said. Ms. Cartwright is concerned about the high numbers of childhood obesity and even early-onset Type 2 Diabetes that she has observed in her students at the school.

We taught nutrition classes one grade at a time to each of the grades, K through 5th grade. Over the course of a week, we spoke to over 600 students. With the Summer Olympics still fresh on their minds, we focused the talk on how each child can become more like the Olympic athletes and achieve strong, healthy bodies and smart minds. Some of the important points that we stressed to the students were:

~ The importance of eating breakfast everyday
~ “My Pyramid”: The Five Food Groups and the important roles of each food group.
~ Fruits and Vegetables, Fruits and Vegetables and More Fruits and Vegetables!
~ Getting physical activity every day: We stressed ways to be more active with activities such as jumping rope, playing basketball, dancing, riding a bike, and getting family members to take a walk.
~ Drink choices: The children were all were amazed when we showed them how much sugar was left in various sodas, kool-aid and fruit punches after we “drained out the liquid”. We stressed how these drinks give no nutritional benefit at all and are bad for our teeth. We stressed water or milk as better beverage choices. John and I were amazed at how many children, even as young as second grade, drink energy drinks such as “Vault”, “Monster” and “Red Bull”. We tried to stress how these drinks not only contain lots of sugar but also caffeine which will make their young hearts work way too hard.
~ Milk choices: We showed them the cartons of milk from their school cafeteria and how the “purple” or “blue” (skim or 1% milk, respectively) choices were better for them as every day choices than the “brown” or “pink” (chocolate or strawberry, respectively).
~ Snack choices: We showed them how to choose snacks from the Five Food Groups such as yogurt, graham crackers, string cheese, fruit or raw vegetables instead of candy and cookies.

I think we were successful…John walked through the cafeteria Friday during lunch and said that a table of 2nd graders wanted to show him their “blue or purple” milk cartons. One fourth grader told him that she has asked her mother to now pack fruit for her afternoon snack. Another table of 4th graders kept saying “We still can’t believe how much sugar was in those sodas!”.

It doesn’t stop with the children, however, parents and teachers can be role models and advocates of healthy eating and exercise too. P. W. Moore’s principal, Mr. Lindsey James, has asked John and I to present Nutrition & Fitness information to both the teachers and the PTA.  So parents, grandparents, Aunts & Uncles, it is time for you to invest in the future of our children.  Set a better example of leading a healthy lifestyle.  Eat more fruits & vegetables, exercise more & take time to play with your children!

It’s Your Health. It’s Your Life. Make that change!

~ Angie

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a progressive loss of kidney function.  There are 5 stages in CKD.  stage 1 and 2 are generally characterized with minimal kidney damage.  As the disease progresses to Stage 3 and 4, changes in health are more noticable as the body is less able to remove toxins being built up in the blood from normal metabolism.  Stage 5 of CKD is knwon as End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).  ESRD typically results in the need to start dialysis or receive a kidney transplant. 

As the number of Americans suffering from weight problems continues to climb, so too does the number of Americans being diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.  An unfortunate complication associated with these health conditions that does not receive as much publicity is Chronic Kidney Disease.  Having Diabetes or Hypertension (HTN), High Blood Pressure, can significantly increase your risk of developing CKD.  Patients with diabetes and HTN are the majority of dialysis patients.

The National Kidney Foundation estimates that more than 20 million Americans have some form of CKD.  Approximately 11.8 million people are in Stage 1or 2 of kidney disease.  7.5 million are estimated to be in Stage 3, with 400,000 in Stage 4.  300,000 people are in Stage 5, requiring renal replacement therapy, or Dialysis.

Tour DaVita Route 2008

Because CKD can progress slowly, prevention and early detection are keys to helping to preserve health.  In an effort to slow the tide of kidney disease, the Kidney Trust was founded by DaVita, Inc.  DaVita is one of the largest dialysis providers in the United States.  The goal of the Kidney Trust is to provide education and assistance in raising awarenss of Kidney Disease.  To promote their cause, the Kidney Trust needs financial support.  Once again, I have voluteered to ride in the Tour DaVita.  This September14-18th, the Tour will travel through Wisconsin.  The 4 day bike ride will cover over 240 miles.  Last year, the Tour raised more than $600,000.  I am still accepting donations and ask that you support this worthy cause.  Donations can easily be made online.  (Click here to visit John’s Donation Page).

Tour Davita 2007 on toward Nashville, TN

Remember, Kidney Disease can be prevented or at least slowed down.  Take control of your health.  If you have diabetes, HTN, are overweight or have a family member with CKD, you need to have your kidney function tested.  The role of nutrition in helping control kidney disease is also an important aspect.  You can get started by doing the following:

1. Increase intake of Fruits to 2-3 pieces a day

2. Increase intake of Non-Starchy Vegetables (Broccoli, Carrots, Leafy Greens, Spinach, Tomatoes, …) to 2-3 cups aday.

3. Eat Out Less Often!

4. Use less added fats and salts.

5. Eat more Fish, Skinless Chicken or Turkey, less Red Meats and Pork.

6. Bake, broil, Grill or steam your foods.  Do NOT fry!

And of course, we always advocate an increase in EXERCISE!  Get moving!

It’s Your Health.  It’s Your Life.  Make That Change!

~John

Here we go again.  The AP reported today that Los Angeles city officials have passed a moratorium on the building of new fast food restaurants in South L.A..  The reasons stated by the city council members sound great.  I am not against the idea of limiting certain types establishments BUT we may be over-reacting here.  I would propose that instead of limiting food places, that city governments actually look for ways to help people get more active.  We are too reactionary in our approaches.  A more proactive type of movement is needed here.  If you want to reduce obesity, you need to provide incentives for people to look for and adopt healthier lifestyles.  Increased physical activity in schools, biking & pedestrian spaces in cities, a health care system that promotes preventative care and uses pharmaceuticals as a last resort.  Insurance reimbursement for services provided by Registered Dietitians would be a great place to start the trend of preventative care! 

There are numerous reasons why obesity rates continue to climb.  The fast food influence is only a small part of the issue.  People are not forced into fast food restaurants.  There is a choice that can be made. But what happens?  Generally, people rely on not just fast food but most restaurant service for convenience.  They don’t want to take the time to cook/clean their own meals.  I have clients tell me all the time, “It’s easier/cheaper for me to eat out than fix it myself”.

The Wall Street Journal online posted an article yesterday, “Drugstore Tobacco Sales Under Fire”.  The main point being that stores promoting health care should not be selling tobacco products.  Again, the intent is good.  However, if the reason for the actions is “…to reduce tobacco-related illnesses…”, then should those same stores also be banned from selling alcohol or potato chips, sodas, candy bars and other “junk” foods? 

We have banned trans fats, we have banned cigarettes in office spaces we are now banning fast food restaurants.  We need to ban laziness, inactivity, and poor diets.  How do we accomplish those goals?  Unfortunately, I don’t have those answers.  I will keep working to educate people on ways to improve their health……Eat More Fresh fruits and Vegetables, Eat less fried foods, Increase Physical Activity.  We don’t need the government to ban things from us.  We need to step up our own actions and start making better lifestyle choices.  Get started today!

It’s Your Health.  It’s Your Life.  Make that Change!

~John

By now, everyone has heard of the plan by the American Academy of Pediatrics for more aggressive control of cholesterol levels in children.  Unfortunately, this is the way we are headed in all diseases.  While some blame the pharmaceutical companies, others blame the doctors, and still others blame the government.  What’s missing is the blame off parents and grandparents.  We are responsible for our children’s health.  If children are our future, what type of investment in that future are we making?  It’s easy to blame others but now is the time to step up to the plate and make changes in your own life.  Just last week, I wrote about the laziness we teach by relying so much on medication to cure health problems.  This way of thinking has even invaded our kids games (WebKinz, July 2, 2008).  Sure, it is easier to take a pill and let it do the work but look where that has gotten us.  As a nation, we continue to grow fatter, develop more diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.  From there, we will continue to expand the complications associated with those health problems…kidney disease, amputations, etc.  There are numerous reasons why we have become so complacent in our approach to improving health.  For the majority of these problems, changing a lifestyle habit could make a significant difference in health outcomes.  Why must we rely on medications as a first line of therapy?  Sure, doctors recommend the need to change your diet, exercise more and quit smoking but do they offer the services of the professionals that can assist in helping you make those changes?  Unfortunately, those referrals are not made often enough. 

I don’t blame the fast food industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the “medical establishment”, or the government.  Each & every one of us has the ability to choose a better lifestyle.  Many times I have been told by clients that they know what they should eat or that they should exercise more.  Knowing & doing are two different things.  What is the motivation to make those changes?  If you disagree with the recommendations of the AAP, then use that as motivation to make changes.  Your goal this week is to get up and get moving:

*Add 30 extra minutes of activity to your daily routine. 

*Eat out 1 less time this week. 

*Eat 1 extra piece of fruit this week.

Small steps can lead to big results.  Take control of your health and set a healthy example for your children.  Don’t let excuses creep into your thinking that’s an easy escape.  Find reasons to change your habits instead of reasons why you can’t.  I paraphrase from Yoda, the Jedi Knight…..Do or Do Not.  There is no try.  

 It’s Your Health.  It’s Your Life.  Make that Change!

 ~John

Know about Webkinz?  If you have a child, you probably do.  Both our 7 year old & now our 4 year old have become “Webkinz Collectors”.  While I am not a fan of these sorts of things, our children love it.  They name, care for and play with their Webkinz Pets.  Watching them show love for their pets is pretty cool.  The Webkinz site is pretty fun.  There are games, jobs & learning activities on there.  While some could argue about the true value of such things, that’s not my point.  What I find interesting, are some of the games you can play.  I admit I am not into video games.  Never liked them when pac-man was around but I could play some mean pong on Atari!  Anyway, one of the games on the Webkinz is called “Hungry Hog”.  The object?  You are to guide Pinky around the maze eating as much junk food as possible without getting ‘stung’ by the bees.  Getting  stung removes a “try”.  The game ends when you are out of “tries”.  The faster Pinky eats, the fatter Pinky becomes but that slows Pinky down and allows the bees a better chance of stinging Pinky.  However, the faster you eat, the more points you earn and the more levels you can beat.  What I find disappointing though is that…”Pinky hates vegetables” !!  Therefore, you need to avoid the vegetables.  You lose points if you eat a vegetable.  Although eating vegetables does allow for more junk food to appear and gives you the opportunity of getting additional points.  So, how do you fight off the bees?  Eat the “invincibility” pill.  The pill allows you to eat anything, bees included, without slowing down.  What’s the message to kids?  It’s bad enough they are sitting down playing a video game but to have a game that takes points away for eating vegetables is wrong.  Even worse is the “invincibility pill”.   That just reinforces the feeling that medication is needed to make us better instead of us making the changes in our lifestyles.  I get a bad feeling from that game.  I do not like the undertones.  There exists great potential on this web site to help educate children in a fun way on the benefits of proper nutrition.  It would be wonderful to see that game turned around and have Pinky love fruits and vegetables and run into problems when eating the junk food.  That would definitely send a different message to our children.  OK, you’ve sat at your computer long enough now.  Get up, get moving and make sure you eat some fresh fruits & vegetables today!! 

It’s Your Health.  It’s Your Life.  Make that change

~JohnСувенири