Yara Morgan
Join our Mailing List!
Please click the link below to sign up for your community paper mailing list. Stay up to date with all the events going on in your community as well as the latest news.Sign Up Today!
Regardless of what time of year it is, take the time to get healthy, lose weight
Health, Nutrition & You
By Yara Morgan
The year is already in full bloom. January is gone, and your new year’s resolution of losing weight and getting fit probably has become a thing of the past. Our good intentions are often met with life. Yes, the days you planned to go to the gym become days that your kids’ soccer practices meet, or your work schedule seems to keep you longer and longer. I understand, in a world of business, we often put ourselves last.
Don’t give up yet. It’s not a race; it’s a lifestyle. You can start at any time and maintain your new found healthy and fit lifestyle for the rest of your life.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of U.S. adults — more than 72 million people — were obese in 2005 and 2006. This includes 33.3 percent of men and 35.3 percent of women. Obesity is defined as a body mass index of 30 or greater. BMI is calculated from a person’s weight and height and provides a reasonable indicator of body fat and weight categories that may lead to health problems. Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer and type 2 diabetes.
Another way to determine if you are obese is by the following: Overweight equals 20 to 25 pounds above your recommended weight for your height. Obese equals 30 to 39 pounds or more above this recommendation. Morbidly obese equals 100 pounds above. Where do you fit in? It’s no longer about your looks or vanity, this is your health and those around you. Let’s fight this battle together.
Even more staggering is the fact that obesity in our children is also rising. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, done by the CDC, estimates that since 1994, the number of overweight youths has not leveled off or decreased, and it is increasing to even higher levels. Overweight adolescents are at increased risk to become overweight adults. The 1999-2002 findings for children and adolescents suggest the likelihood of another generation of overweight adults who may be at-risk for subsequent overweight and obesity-related health conditions.
What a tragedy it would be to pass down this health issue to our children. As parents, it is our responsibility to educate ourselves and our children to live healthier lifestyles. It is not just about nutrition, folks. It is a combination of nutrition and exercise.
In a society of Xboxes and computers, our bottoms are getting rounder by the day and our health problems are rising. Thank God for Wii, I think they got the right idea. For the last 10 years, we have become a very sedentary society.
Has anyone’s remote control batteries went dead? Have you tried to get up and change the channel manually? On some televisions, it is almost impossible. We have accommodated a society that wants to press a button and not get up. Let’s get movement back into our everyday life.
Let’s learn about nutrition, not just fad diets that don’t work and only make our health worse. Take advantage of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Pyramid. If you take the time to read it, it is an amazing source of information and it’s free. Go to www.mypyramid.org. On this site you can get menus and stay in your calorie range if your goal is to lose weight. They also have great interactive games for your kids.
Start today. Get your body in motion, get your family out there and get activity in together. Exercise does not have to cost anything, walking outdoors or playing a game of tennis, is free and all activity will benefit without the expense.
However, In Miami County alone you have a number of health clubs available to you. Some counties don’t even have one. Paola has three: G & L Gym, New Creation Women’s Fitness and Bodymaxx. Osawatomie has the Miami County Family YMCA, and Louisburg has Louisburg Athletic Club. Each offers an opportunity to have professional assistance in reaching your personal health and fitness goals.
Start today. Don’t allow yourself and your family to be part of the statistic. Make the choice to take control.
Stay healthy.
printable version
e-mail this story
Don’t give up yet. It’s not a race; it’s a lifestyle. You can start at any time and maintain your new found healthy and fit lifestyle for the rest of your life.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of U.S. adults — more than 72 million people — were obese in 2005 and 2006. This includes 33.3 percent of men and 35.3 percent of women. Obesity is defined as a body mass index of 30 or greater. BMI is calculated from a person’s weight and height and provides a reasonable indicator of body fat and weight categories that may lead to health problems. Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer and type 2 diabetes.
Another way to determine if you are obese is by the following: Overweight equals 20 to 25 pounds above your recommended weight for your height. Obese equals 30 to 39 pounds or more above this recommendation. Morbidly obese equals 100 pounds above. Where do you fit in? It’s no longer about your looks or vanity, this is your health and those around you. Let’s fight this battle together.
Even more staggering is the fact that obesity in our children is also rising. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, done by the CDC, estimates that since 1994, the number of overweight youths has not leveled off or decreased, and it is increasing to even higher levels. Overweight adolescents are at increased risk to become overweight adults. The 1999-2002 findings for children and adolescents suggest the likelihood of another generation of overweight adults who may be at-risk for subsequent overweight and obesity-related health conditions.
What a tragedy it would be to pass down this health issue to our children. As parents, it is our responsibility to educate ourselves and our children to live healthier lifestyles. It is not just about nutrition, folks. It is a combination of nutrition and exercise.
In a society of Xboxes and computers, our bottoms are getting rounder by the day and our health problems are rising. Thank God for Wii, I think they got the right idea. For the last 10 years, we have become a very sedentary society.
Has anyone’s remote control batteries went dead? Have you tried to get up and change the channel manually? On some televisions, it is almost impossible. We have accommodated a society that wants to press a button and not get up. Let’s get movement back into our everyday life.
Let’s learn about nutrition, not just fad diets that don’t work and only make our health worse. Take advantage of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Pyramid. If you take the time to read it, it is an amazing source of information and it’s free. Go to www.mypyramid.org. On this site you can get menus and stay in your calorie range if your goal is to lose weight. They also have great interactive games for your kids.
Start today. Get your body in motion, get your family out there and get activity in together. Exercise does not have to cost anything, walking outdoors or playing a game of tennis, is free and all activity will benefit without the expense.
However, In Miami County alone you have a number of health clubs available to you. Some counties don’t even have one. Paola has three: G & L Gym, New Creation Women’s Fitness and Bodymaxx. Osawatomie has the Miami County Family YMCA, and Louisburg has Louisburg Athletic Club. Each offers an opportunity to have professional assistance in reaching your personal health and fitness goals.
Start today. Don’t allow yourself and your family to be part of the statistic. Make the choice to take control.
Stay healthy.