June 2011 Wellness News

Current News, Resources and Events in Nutrition, Food, Health, Environment, Safety and Disability Rights. Encourages awareness and inspires ideas for Journalists, Educators, Consumers and Health Professionals. Wellness News is up-dated daily and includes weekly and daily events. To view the entire Newsletter online click here or subscribe to Wellness News by adding your email address to the link on the left.

June Wellness News

 

 Featured Causes and Events

International Men's Month Men's Health Month Atlantic Hurricane Season (6/1-11/30) Central Pacific Hurricane Season (6/1–10/31) National Aphasia Awareness Month Cancer from the Sun Month Child Vision Awareness Month Children's Awareness Month International Childhood Cancer Campaign Fireworks Safety Month (6/1-7/4) Home Safety Month National Safety Month Student Safety Month Caribbean-American Heritage Effective Communications Month Entrepreneurs "Do It Yourself" Marketing National Employee Wellness Month

National Hunger Awareness Month June Dairy Month Dairy Alternative Month Natl Fresh Fruit and Vegetables National Frozen Yogurt Month National Iced Tea Month National Papaya Month National Soul Food Month National Steakhouse Month Turkey Lovers Month  Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month Audiobook Appreciation Month Sports America Kids Month Potty Training Awareness Month Great Outdoors Month National Aquarium and Zoo Month National Camping Month

Men's Health Month

 June Dairy Month

 



National Fresh Fruit and
Vegetables Month 

 Hurricane Season Begins
Atlantic (6/1-11/30)

Central Pacific (6/1–10/31)



 National Smile Month
 (5/15-6/15)

Wellness News employs young adults with "Special Needs" (Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy). Please visit our Gallery to purchase photographs of our Food Art with the proceeds going to special need young adults. Contact Dr. Sandra Frank for additional information (recipenews@gmail.com).

Prepared by
http://www.dietitians-online.com/
http://www.weighing-success.com/
Wellness News (www.weighing-success.com/WellnessNews.html)
http://www.wheelchair-connection.com/
Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RD, LDN
Jake Frank
Lance Li

Jonathan Cruz

Good-bye Food Pyramid, Hello Food Plate

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is retiring the Food Pyramid and replacing it with a plate icon. The new image is expected to be revealed on Thursday, June 2, 2011.

I'm not sorry to see the food pyramid being replaced. The design presented challenges in counseling and education.

The USDA said in a statement this week that the new food icon would be "part of a comprehensive nutrition education initiative providing consumers with easy-to-understand recommendations, a new website with additional information, and other tools and resources."

The plate design will be a welcomed change. One of the advantages in using a food plate is the ability to visually demonstrate portion sizes.

 

The History of Plate Sizes

Fast foods do not have a monopoly on super size. The plate industry has had its own growth spurt during the past 50 years. In the 1960's dinner plates were about 8.5 to 9-inches in diameter and held about 800 calories; by 2009 plate size had grown to 12-inches with the capacity to hold about 1900 calories. The calorie differences are illustrated in the graphic below. (Calorie amounts will vary depending on the foods you choose.)

Graphic 1

Our Eyes Can Deceive Us

Last night, I tried an experiment with my family. First each person was presented with dinner on an 8.5 inch plate. Then I removed the plates and set out the 12-inch plates. When asked which plate had more food, five out of six said the 8.5 inch plate.

The amount of food was identical, but when comparing the two sizes the participants looked to see how much food filled their plate.

                                                                   Graphic 2

This is a further illustration of the same amount of food on different plate sizes. The larger the plate, the smaller the food appeared.

Next, I wanted to see how much food the different size plates could hold.  The calorie amounts differ from graphic 1 due to the foods I used, but there was a significant increase in calories as the size of the plate grew.

I am looking forward to the unveiling of the new icon.

National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month

May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month. The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) is the leading consumer and community-focused health organization dedicated to the prevention of osteoporosis and broken bones, the promotion of strong bones for life and the reduction of human suffering through programs of public and clinician awareness, education, advocacy and research.

The drastic consequence of osteoporosis is visible in the lives of the millions of sufferers worldwide. Researchers today know a lot about how you can protect your bones throughout your life. Getting enough calcium, vitamin D and regular exercise are important for your bones.

Feed Your Bones Today

Nutrition and Health: Osteoporosis
by The Dairy and Nutrition Council of Indiana and Indiana Dairy Farmers

You’re never too young or too old to improve the health of your bones. Osteoporosis prevention should begin in childhood. But it shouldn’t stop there. Whatever your age, the habits you adopt now can affect your bone health for the rest of your life. Now is the time to take action.

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

The President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN)

The Council was originally founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 as the President’s Council on Youth Fitness. Since its beginning, the Council has been vital in getting Americans physically active through a range of programs, events and initiatives including the establishment of May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.

PCFSN was most recently known as the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. On June 10, 2010 President Barack Obama authorized in an Executive Order the name change and expanded the mission of the Council to include “nutrition”.

The Council seeks to promote good health through fitness, sports and nutrition for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities through partnerships in national, state and local organizations, programs and initiatives. The Council plays a key role in the development of priorities, outreach and awareness efforts to improve the health and quality of life for all Americans. Among the Council's responsibilities are to encourage:

         1. Regular physical activity
         2. Participation in sports
         3. Healthy eating

The President’s Challenge

The President’s Challenge is the PCFSN signature awards and recognition program and includes the following:

* Youth Physical Fitness Test
* Adult Fitness Test
* Two School Recognition Programs
* Two Physical Activity Awards Programs
*  Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA)

*  Presidential Champions Award, available to people aged 6 and older.

PCFSN utilizes and promotes efforts associated with the following guidelines:

1. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
2. Dietary Guidelines for Americans
3. National Physical Activity Plan

There are many national, regional, state and local programs and initiatives that aim to get Americans active and healthy. Below is a review of three programs:
"Let's Move", "Kids Eat Right", and "We Can".

Let’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams.

Let’s Move! is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in our schools. Ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food. And, helping children become more physically active.

First Lady Michelle Obama has been active with many groups in promoting the Let's Move program. Recently, she joined the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN) to announce a new fitness effort to support our military families.

South Lawn Series:
Military Families Wellness

Beyoncé in partnership with the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation (NABEF) created "Move Your Body" video for the Let's Move! Flash Workout. Here you will find First Lady Michelle Obama making a surprise visit to Alice Deal Middle School to join students in a Lets Move! Flash Workout. Over 600 schools across the country participated in similar workouts at the same time.

Kids Eat Right

Kids Eat Right is the first joint initiative from the American Dietetic Association and American Dietetic Association Foundation, that supports the efforts of the White House to end the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation.

The goal of Kids Eat Right is to educate families, communities, and policy makers about the importance of quality nutrition. The Kids Eat Right campaign provides resources to help ADA members become recognized leaders in childhood obesity prevention.


We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity and Nutrition) is  a science-based national education program from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). We Can helps children ages 8-13 stay at a healthy weight. We Can! offers materials to help caregivers and families encourage children to become more active.

60 Second PSA for We Can!

The We Can! materials provide simple suggestions for easily getting more physical activity.
We Can!® Tools and Resources
We Can! Make Physical Activity Fun
We Can! Try Tips to Eat Well and Move More

Resources

1. President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN)
2. The President’s Challenge
3. Let's Move
4. Kids Eat Right
5. We Can

Older Americans Month May 25th: National Senior Health and Fitness Day

May is Older Americans Month

2011 Theme: "Older Americans:
Connecting the Community"

Resources and References
to Help Eating Well as We Age

Eating Well as We Age (pdf)

Resources for Seniors from Nutrition.gov

Older Americans Need To Make Every Calorie Count (pdf)

May 25, 2011
National Senior Health and Fitness Day

Celebrate the 18th annual National Senior Health and Fitness Day.100,000 older adults will participate in activities at more than 1,000 locations throughout the U.S. The goal is to help keep older Americans healthy and fit. National Senior Health and Fitness Day is the nation's largest annual health promotion event for older adults.

The Mature Fitness Awards are designed to encourage and recognize regular physical activity among adults age 50, 60, 70, and over. The program offers 25 activities with something for everyone, from beginning exercisers to long-time fitness enthusiasts. Many activities are appropriate (or can be adapted) for disabled participants. When selecting an activity, find one that you enjoy and that fits into your daily or weekly routine so you will be likely to stick with it.

Shopping and nutrition tips for senior citizens,
from Elisa Zeid, MS, RD

Gotta Dance The Movie captures the adventures of the first-ever senior citizen

hip hop dance team for the New Jersey Nets Basketball Team,

from auditions through to center court stardom.

May 19 - May 22, 2011 Dietitians-Online

May 19 - May 22, 2011
Dietitian Blogs and in the News
Books and Up-coming Events

May 22, 2011
Fooducate Blog. Sunday Comic Strip: Isn’t Food One of the Ingredients?

In the early 1990's Congress enacted the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA), which gave the FDA power to require food manufacturers to label product.

May 21, 2011
When eating, try to focus on the food.  "Be aware of the fact that you're eating," advises dietitian Bethany Thayer, director of wellness programs and strategies for Detroit's Henry Ford Health System. "Pay attention to the food you're eating and the signals you're getting about your hunger level."

May 21, 2011

Soda addiction: Man sheds 70 pounds just 'kicking the can'. "The body doesn't know what to do with all that sugar", says Sue Cunningham, a registered dietitian with the University of Texas Health Science Center. "No more than 10 percent of calories should come from sugar".

May 21, 2011 

Nutrition experts partner to cut waste, foster healthy choices in school meals. The students who had recess before lunch tended to waste less food, said Stephanie Smith, a registered dietitian and graduate research assistant at Colorado State University

May 20, 2011

Food prices are rising, here's how to save $1,000 on groceries in a year. Cecilia Rokusek, registered dietitian and professor of public health and family medicine at Nova's College of Osteopathic Medicine provides seven tips to help avoid wasting food.

May 20, 2011
6 Foods to Eat If You're Skipping Meat. Kerri-Ann Jennings, M.S., R.D., Associate Editor, Nutrition for EatingWell Magazine states “having a balanced diet (meatless or not) is key to proper nutrition, so include these veggie foods in your diet to get critical nutrients your body needs.

May 19, 2011

Marilyn Wadum, Registered Dietitian compares Summer Time Treats and offers tips on how to make healthier choices when it comes to ice cream and other cool treats.

Up-coming Topics and Events

Monday, May 23.

National Taffy Day

Tuesday, May 24.

Sweets & Snacks Expo (May 24-26, 2011); Chicago, Illinois. All Candy Expo is now Sweets & Snacks Expo. It is the largest venue in the Americas to see New Products and New Trends, in New Categories, with New Merchandising concepts, from New Exhibitors, plus Invaluable Education and Industry Research.The largest confectionery, cookie and snack show in the Americas.

Wednesday, May 25.

National Senior Health & Fitness Day®

National Brown-Bag-It Day

 

Thursday, May 26.

National Cherry Dessert Day

Friday, May 27.
Heat Safety Awareness Day
National Grape Popsicle

Saturday, May 28.
National Brisket Day

July 17 - 20, 2011. Florida Dietetic Association Annual Symposium

September 24 - 27, 2011.   The 2011 ADA Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE), San Diego Convention Center. The ADA's annual meeting is the premiere event for food and nutrition professionals. Educational sessions will cover the hottest topics including obesity, alternative medicine, culinary trends, life-cycle nutrition and medical nutrition therapy. Meet with more than 8,000 registered dietitians, nutrition science researchers, policy makers, health-care providers and industry leaders, all in one place – at the annual Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE).

Books by Dietitians

 

National Employee Health and Fitness Day May 18, 2011

Employees’ Health And Fitness Programs

Workplace Wellness Programs enhance the
overall health and productivity of your organization.

Benefits For Employers

Increase employee productivity

Improve health care costs

Less illness and injuries

Reduce employee absenteeism

Benefits For Employees

Less stress

Improve physical fitness

Better eating habits or weight control

Increase physical and mental health 

6 Steps to Creating a Wellness Program

Presentor: Mitzi Dulan, RD

 

Bob Harper from the "Biggest Loser" provides
tips on how to stay healthy at work.

 

National Employee Health and Fitness Day™ is the third (3rd) Wednesday in May each year. Administered annually by the National Association for Health and Fitness. NEHF is a national health observance, created to promote the benefits of physical activity for individuals through their work site health promotion activities. Founded in 1989 National Employee Health and Fitness Day has enlisted tens of thousands of participants from employers around the world.

For More Information on how to Improve
Employee Health and Fitness visit the following links:

National Employee Health and Fitness Day Campaign

NCPAD The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability