Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Your First Prescriptions for Better Health

It’s no secret following a healthy diet full of less processed fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat diary and meat/beans/seeds nuts and regular physical exercise will help prevent and protect you and your family from the major chronic diseases we die from and make us sick in the U.S: heart disease, cancers, strokes, and diabetes. But for many reasons Americans just don’t seem to hear, understand, and follow these messages. Some enterprising health professionals have finally begun actually writing their patients’ medial prescriptions to eat 2-2.5 cups of fruits and 2-4 cups of vegetables. They are now referring patients to registered dietitians and health prevention programs to help them see the great importance of diet to their health and make behavior change easier. And why not write preventative prescriptions? Physicians have traditionally only written medical orders for patients who need medial nutrition therapy from a registered dietitian after they already have an illness, e.g. diabetic diets, low-fat, low cholesterol diets for those who have had heart attacks, or have high blood cholesterol, blood glucose, obesity or other medical indicators of health problems. Likewise, why wait until the patient needs to see a physical therapist for recuperation after a stroke or heart attack when they should be moving more each day for prevention? A written prescription for 2 ½ -3hours/week of walking or other regular physical activity may motivate the patient to get moving more each day before the high expenses of medications, surgery, hospital stays, or therapists are incurred. Now that health insurance companies have finally realized that health costs are much lower if prevention programs are utilized, many offer or reimburse clients for diet, exercise and other community health education programs.

So don’t wait to make diet changes until you or your loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness or weight issues. It is never too early to make a healthy lifestyle your lifestyle. At any life stage- pregnancy, young infants and children, teens, young adulthood, mid-life, and older- the research is clear: taking simple steps to moving more and making a healthy diet change will improve your health.



Here are some upcoming local programs offered by Penn State Extension. Register now and find out how to make simple, healthy changes a part of your lifestyle:

JOIN THE STRONGWOMEN - HEALTHY HEARTS PROGRAM!
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Heart disease and stroke can also limit a woman's ability to do the everyday things that she is used to doing.
A new class will start September 28. For a printable brochure, go to http://northumberland.extension.psu.edu/Nutrition/StrongWomen0910.pdf

The team at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts who brought strength-training programs to midlife and older women throughout Pennsylvania has developed an exercise and nutrition program designed to help women improve their heart health. The StrongWomen - Healthy Heart Program is a fun, hands-on way to make positive changes to help you eat better (make new tasty recipes, meal planning, portion size), move more, and improve your general health and well-being.

Strong Women, Strong Bones
This strength training and nutrition program was developed by Tuft’s University for mid-life and older women, the program improves strength, flexibility, bone density, reduces falls, and improves arthritis symptoms, and many other health improvements. Even if you have never been physically active, or even if you are somewhat active, this program is for you. Classes meet 2 times per week for one hour over 6 weeks. There are 2, 6 week sessions offered: Strong Women Stay Young and Strong Women Strong Bones. There is a registration fee of $60 for 6 weeks, or $110 for 12 weeks if paid in full by first class, and covers instructor and handout materials; participants must purchase light hand and ankle weights.
Strong Bones, a Strength Training Program Upcoming classes:
• Turbotville - Program starts September 13th. For a printable brochure, go to http://northumberland.extension.psu.edu/Nutrition/SW-Turbotville
• Bloomsburg - Program starts September 14th. For a printable brochure, go to http://northumberland.extension.psu.edu/Nutrition/SW-Bloomsburg
• Sunbury - Program starts September 28th. For a printable brochure, go to http://northumberland.extension.psu.edu/Nutrition/SW-Sep2010

Dining with Diabetes
Learning that you have diabetes can be overwhelming at first. There are many new things to learn and it can be difficult to know where to start. Dining with Diabetes is a program offered by Penn State Cooperative Extension. It will help you to understand some of the most important things you need to know about how to manage your diabetes. Registered Dietitians will lead discussions addressing:
• Important numbers you need to know
• Planning healthy meals
• Healthy food preparation
• Physical activity
Classes are offered weekly for four weeks, with a three-month follow-up class. Each class offers:
• Food demonstrations and tasting
• Physical activity and ideas to take home
• Discussions regarding important information to help you manage your diabetes
• Lab tests will be offered to measure HbA1c and lipid levels.
If you or your loved one has been told that you have Type 2 diabetes, you will want to attend this class. Spouses and a family member are encouraged to attend.

Program sites:
Bloomsburg : Wednesdays, October 6, 13, 20, 27, 2010 and January 4, 2011
For a brochure and registration form, go to
http://tinyurl.com/35ozgxq

Shamokin Hospital: Wed: 11/10,17,24,12/1/10 & 2/9/11

Sunbury: Tuesdays 1/11,18,25, 2/1& 4/12/11 and Mondays 3/7,14,21,28 & 6/6/11

Brochures will be posted at: http://northumberland.extension.psu.edu/nutrition/food_safety.htm

For more information on other programs, such as Family Fitness, and Eat Smart, Move More EFNEP Nutrition Links program for resource-stressed clients, and more, see my website at http://northumberland.extension.psu.edu/nutrition/food_safety.htm