Wednesday, August 8, 2012
2011 Mississippi Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Mississippi is in the midst of an obesity epidemic. The epidemic is affecting our youth is drastic ways.
16% of Mississippi's youth were obese
8% of Mississippi's youth didn't eat fruit or drink 100% fruit juice on a regular basis
9% of Mississippi's youth didn't eat vegetables on a regular basis
20% of Mississippi's youth drank soda 3 or more times per day
18% of Mississippi's youth didn't participate in at least of 60 minutes of physical activity a day
53% of Mississippi's youth didn't participate in PE classes even while at school
43% of Mississippi's youth watched television 3 or more hours per day on an average school day
29% of Mississippi's youth used computers 3 or more hours per day on an average school day
Some quick remedies to the obesity problem are----
Eat fresh fruit and veggies on a regular basis
Limit processed foods, sugary foods, and fast foods
Increase the intake of water and 100% unsweetened fruit juice
Limit sodas
Increase exercise --- make you kids go out side and walk the dog, kick a ball around, ride a bike, play frisbee, something/anything.
Limit computer and tv time to one hour a day, esp on school days
Teach your kids that refined sugar is NOT their friend...
Take an active interest in your child's health and well being.
Set the example by avoiding bad for you foods, habits (like smoking, drinking, and drug use), and drinks.
Also exercise get yourself in shape and take your kids along for the fun.
We need to end the cycle of obesity in Mississippi. And we need to start today with the next generation ie our children
Did you know that obesity leads to diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer ---
Monday, August 6, 2012
Inspirational Quotes from Olympians
What personal mantra or saying helps get you through a challenging time?
By The Editors of Women's Health
Photo Credit: Getty
Falling in life is inevitable—staying down is optional.
—Carrie Johnson, two-time Olympic kayaker
Breathe, believe and battle. My former coach, Troy Tanner, told us that before each match. Breathe—reminds you to be in the moment. Believe—have have faith that you can rise above it. Battle—you gotta be prepared to go for as long as it takes.
—Kerri Walsh, two-time beach volleyball Olympic gold medalist
“If you think you can’t, you wont, and if you think you can, you will.” When I’m tired at practice, I tell myself that I’m not tired and I can push through it. If you tell yourself you’re tired or if you tell yourself you’re sick, your body is going to follow the mind.
—Kellie Wells, 2011 USA indoor and outdoor 100m hurdles champion
Keep Calm and Carry On. A challenging time is just that—a period in time. Taking a few deep breaths and knowing that it won’t last forever really allows me to focus on the present moment and task at hand.
—Betsey Armstrong, 2008 water polo Olympic silver medalist and goalkeeper for 2012 US Women’s Olympic Water Polo Team
My dad would tell me to play for those who couldn’t play. Play for physical disability. So my motivation is for people who struggle in life daily.
—Misty May-Treanor, two-time beach volleyball Olympic gold medalist
My brother was an elite special forces guy, so I think if he can do it, I can too.
—Georgia Gould, professional mountain biker Team Luna CHIX and first-time Olympian
It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.
—Missy Franklin, three-time medalist at 2011 FINA World Championships and first-time Olympian
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
—McKayla Maroney, two-time gold medalist at 2011 World Gymnastics Championship (team and vault)
I think it’s important to keep mantras fresh (sometimes the same verse can get stale). That being said, I love this powerful statement: “Define yourself.” I rehearsed it a million times during the 2005 Chicago Marathon [her first win].
—Deena Kastor, 2004 Olympic marathon bronze medalist
I always tell myself to "man up." Growing up beside my brother [2008 Olympic silver medalist Zach Railey] I was never allowed to whine. He wouldn't let me then, so I don't let myself now.
—Paige Railey, four-time sailing world champion and first-time Olympian
Steady, ready, poised, winning.
—Arielle Martin, 2011 BMX Supercross World Cup Champion and first-time Olympian
“This to shall pass” and “All you can do is your best.” This has been a tough year of injuries for me I’ve been saying these a lot!
—Sue Francia, 2008 rowing gold medalist in the women’s eight
I always tell myself to keep on fighting. I wasn’t always a good diver—I had to work my way up to where I am now. If I had given up I wouldn’t be in the position I am today and I would have so many regrets.
—Christina Loukas, nine-time national diving champion and first-time Olympian
My competition isn’t resting!
—Kim Rhode, five-time Olympic shooter
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
—Jessica Long, nine-time Paralympic swimming medalist
I ask myself if I can go any harder. Are you hurting enough? Are you going hard enough? I keep asking myself: Can you go any harder?
—Kristin Armstrong, 2008 road cycling Olympic gold medalist in women’s time trial
Everything is going to work out—there’s no other option.
—Kari Miller, 2008 Paralympic sitting volleyball silver medalist
“If you’re not having fun, then what the hell are you doing?” It reminds me to find the reason why I’m doing it and why I’m out there, which makes things more manageable when I’m stressed and fatigued.
—Allison Jones, six-time Paralympian (has competed in both the summer and winter games)
If you think you’re done, you always have at least 40 percent more.
—Lauren Crandall, captain of the 2012 US Olympic field hockey team
I am stronger than ever.
—Jessica Hardy, current world-record holder in the 50m and 100m breaststroke
One word: Fight. Anyone can do it when it feels good, but when you’re hurting, that’s when it makes a difference, so you have to keep fighting.
—Erin Cafaro, 2008 rowing Olympic gold medalist in women’s eight
I don't have a specific mantra; It's more about believing that I'm tough, I've been through a lot, and I'm not willing to let myself get beat.
—Katie Hoff, two-time Olympic swimmer
—Carrie Johnson, two-time Olympic kayaker
Breathe, believe and battle. My former coach, Troy Tanner, told us that before each match. Breathe—reminds you to be in the moment. Believe—have have faith that you can rise above it. Battle—you gotta be prepared to go for as long as it takes.
—Kerri Walsh, two-time beach volleyball Olympic gold medalist
“If you think you can’t, you wont, and if you think you can, you will.” When I’m tired at practice, I tell myself that I’m not tired and I can push through it. If you tell yourself you’re tired or if you tell yourself you’re sick, your body is going to follow the mind.
—Kellie Wells, 2011 USA indoor and outdoor 100m hurdles champion
Keep Calm and Carry On. A challenging time is just that—a period in time. Taking a few deep breaths and knowing that it won’t last forever really allows me to focus on the present moment and task at hand.
—Betsey Armstrong, 2008 water polo Olympic silver medalist and goalkeeper for 2012 US Women’s Olympic Water Polo Team
My dad would tell me to play for those who couldn’t play. Play for physical disability. So my motivation is for people who struggle in life daily.
—Misty May-Treanor, two-time beach volleyball Olympic gold medalist
My brother was an elite special forces guy, so I think if he can do it, I can too.
—Georgia Gould, professional mountain biker Team Luna CHIX and first-time Olympian
It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.
—Missy Franklin, three-time medalist at 2011 FINA World Championships and first-time Olympian
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
—McKayla Maroney, two-time gold medalist at 2011 World Gymnastics Championship (team and vault)
I think it’s important to keep mantras fresh (sometimes the same verse can get stale). That being said, I love this powerful statement: “Define yourself.” I rehearsed it a million times during the 2005 Chicago Marathon [her first win].
—Deena Kastor, 2004 Olympic marathon bronze medalist
I always tell myself to "man up." Growing up beside my brother [2008 Olympic silver medalist Zach Railey] I was never allowed to whine. He wouldn't let me then, so I don't let myself now.
—Paige Railey, four-time sailing world champion and first-time Olympian
Steady, ready, poised, winning.
—Arielle Martin, 2011 BMX Supercross World Cup Champion and first-time Olympian
“This to shall pass” and “All you can do is your best.” This has been a tough year of injuries for me I’ve been saying these a lot!
—Sue Francia, 2008 rowing gold medalist in the women’s eight
I always tell myself to keep on fighting. I wasn’t always a good diver—I had to work my way up to where I am now. If I had given up I wouldn’t be in the position I am today and I would have so many regrets.
—Christina Loukas, nine-time national diving champion and first-time Olympian
My competition isn’t resting!
—Kim Rhode, five-time Olympic shooter
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
—Jessica Long, nine-time Paralympic swimming medalist
I ask myself if I can go any harder. Are you hurting enough? Are you going hard enough? I keep asking myself: Can you go any harder?
—Kristin Armstrong, 2008 road cycling Olympic gold medalist in women’s time trial
Everything is going to work out—there’s no other option.
—Kari Miller, 2008 Paralympic sitting volleyball silver medalist
“If you’re not having fun, then what the hell are you doing?” It reminds me to find the reason why I’m doing it and why I’m out there, which makes things more manageable when I’m stressed and fatigued.
—Allison Jones, six-time Paralympian (has competed in both the summer and winter games)
If you think you’re done, you always have at least 40 percent more.
—Lauren Crandall, captain of the 2012 US Olympic field hockey team
I am stronger than ever.
—Jessica Hardy, current world-record holder in the 50m and 100m breaststroke
One word: Fight. Anyone can do it when it feels good, but when you’re hurting, that’s when it makes a difference, so you have to keep fighting.
—Erin Cafaro, 2008 rowing Olympic gold medalist in women’s eight
I don't have a specific mantra; It's more about believing that I'm tough, I've been through a lot, and I'm not willing to let myself get beat.
—Katie Hoff, two-time Olympic swimmer
Hidden dangers in vitamins, supplements?
August 2nd, 2012
11:59 AM ET
Vitamins and supplements could do more harm than good in some cases, according to a new report in Consumer Reports.
The report, in Consumer Reports' September issue, investigates 10 unknown dangers associated with taking vitamins, minerals, herbs, and nutritional supplements. More than half of all Americans take supplements, and the supplement industry has grown to a $27 billion industry.But supplements aren't necessarily risk-free, according to Dr. Jose Mosquera, medical adviser for Consumer Reports. While patients may believe supplements are safe because they are natural, he says not all supplements are truly all-natural.
Between 2007 and mid-April 2012, the Food and Drug Administration received more than 6,300 reports of serious adverse events linked to dietary supplements, including vitamins and herbs, according to Consumer Reports. The reports include 115 deaths and more than 2,100 hospitalizations.
Supplements should only be taken when there is a true deficiency, Mosquera says, and people should talk to their doctors before starting a supplement.
“Supplements and vitamins should never be a substitute for a healthy lifestyle with a nutritional plan,” he says. He adds that it’s better to get vitamins from healthy eating than from taking supplements.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), an association representing dietary supplement manufacturers, counters, “There is a strong body of scientific evidence that supports the benefits of dietary supplements and these products have a very strong profile for safety.”
However, Consumer Reports says some supposedly natural products are laced with the same active ingredients in prescription drugs, and people often experience unwanted side effects while taking the supplements.
The supplements for body building, enhancing sexual performance, and losing weight are the most likely to be laced, says Mosquera. He advises, “Protect yourself by trying to avoid these types of supplements, and have a conversation with your doctor about lifestyle changes.”
The high doses of vitamins and minerals in some supplements present another danger. People that take more than 100% of the recommended daily intake of a nutrient could have adverse reactions.
Existing laws make it difficult for the FDA to regulate problematic supplements, according to the report. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994, most manufacturers don’t need FDA approval to sell dietary supplements, and the FDA must prove a supplement is unsafe before taking it off the market.
The report also cautions that the FDA doesn’t require supplements to have warning labels unless they contain iron. For example, some products with St. John’s Wort don’t warn that it is known to reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills and blood thinners.
No supplement has been shown to cure a major disease, says the report. New evidence shows that even Omega-3 pills, widely believed to reduce the risk of heart disease, may not be as effective as once thought.
More than 150 million Americans take dietary supplements each year, the Council for Responsible Nutrition notes.
"Consumers need to be savvy and buy from companies with strong brand reputations or look for those that have third party certification on their labels," the council says. "It is also important for consumers to talk to their health care professionals and understand that dietary supplements are intended to supplement a healthy diet and do not serve as substitutes for drugs."
Post by: Krisha Desai, Special to CNN |
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