Our thanks for the following from the latest St. Luke’s Health Initiative “Thnking Out Loud” newsletter:
“A recent study from Scripps Research documents that the brain responds to junk food the same way that it does to heroin. Apparently obesity and drug addiction have common neurobiological underpinnings.
“At least in rats. One group of rats was fed a broad range of processed food, from bacon and cheesecake to Ho Hos, while another group received ‘high-nutrient, low-calorie chow.’ There was an immediate difference: The rats that ate junk food developed compulsive eating habits and became obese. Not only that, but they became so addicted to junk food that ‘they were willing to tolerate electric shocks if that’s what it meant to keep eating the stuff.’
“If eating junk food really is an addiction, where does that leave policies calling for more consumer ‘choice’ in eating healthy foods? We ban heroin. Why not Ho Hos?”
Perhaps a bit far-fetched, but it does relate to several of the articles we have been passing along that point out that many of the health problems we have are self-imposed. It’s as if we have little responsibility for our own health. We instead outsource it to something called the health care system.
Wid
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
"RSVP !"
I'm not sure what it means but it's a whole bunch of fun watching them come in for our Winners Circle Weekend!
Sponsors, athletes, commissioners, board members, volunteers, and friends reminding me of the magnitude of people we are grateful to for making all that we do possible!
We can't thank you enough but we are going to try!
In the meantime I will do some research on the meaning of "RSVP !"
Wid
Sponsors, athletes, commissioners, board members, volunteers, and friends reminding me of the magnitude of people we are grateful to for making all that we do possible!
We can't thank you enough but we are going to try!
In the meantime I will do some research on the meaning of "RSVP !"
Wid
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Unbelievable
One-third of U.S. youth unfit for militaryPublished:
Nov. 4, 2009 at 1:53 AM
WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- More than one-third of Americans ages 17-24 are unqualified for military service because of physical and medical issues, U.S. military officials said.Curt Gilroy, the Pentagon's director of accessions, said the United States has "an obesity crisis.""There's no question about it," Gilroy told the Navy Times. "Kids are just not able to do push-ups, and they can't do pull-ups. And they can't run."The Pentagon figures -- 35 percent of the roughly 31.2 million Americans ages 17-24 are ineligible for military service -- are drawn from data from the Centers for Disease Control. In a study scheduled to be released Thursday in Washington, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and a group of retired military officers say young Americans' lack of overall fitness for military duty is a national security threat, the Navy Times reported.The report, drawing on Pentagon data, says almost three out of four 17- to 24-year-olds are ineligible for service for a variety of reasons including:-- 35 percent ineligible for medical/physical problems.-- 18 percent ineligible for illegal drug use.-- 9 percent ineligible for mental problems.-- 6 percent have too many dependents.-- 5 percent have a criminal record.
~ Wid
Nov. 4, 2009 at 1:53 AM
WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- More than one-third of Americans ages 17-24 are unqualified for military service because of physical and medical issues, U.S. military officials said.Curt Gilroy, the Pentagon's director of accessions, said the United States has "an obesity crisis.""There's no question about it," Gilroy told the Navy Times. "Kids are just not able to do push-ups, and they can't do pull-ups. And they can't run."The Pentagon figures -- 35 percent of the roughly 31.2 million Americans ages 17-24 are ineligible for military service -- are drawn from data from the Centers for Disease Control. In a study scheduled to be released Thursday in Washington, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and a group of retired military officers say young Americans' lack of overall fitness for military duty is a national security threat, the Navy Times reported.The report, drawing on Pentagon data, says almost three out of four 17- to 24-year-olds are ineligible for service for a variety of reasons including:-- 35 percent ineligible for medical/physical problems.-- 18 percent ineligible for illegal drug use.-- 9 percent ineligible for mental problems.-- 6 percent have too many dependents.-- 5 percent have a criminal record.
~ Wid
Thursday, November 5, 2009
"Board of Directors ! "
After yesterdays Board of Directors meeting I realized on my drive home how special they are, and how lucky I am to work for such a talented ,smart, and supportive group of fine people!
I also was reflective of the loss of two 15 year members due to personal reasons. I'm hoping they realize how grateful I am for their tremendous contribution and loyalty over a long period of time.
They will be missed!
Boards come in many shapes and forms and vary greatly in their roles as the culture of each organization is different. In our case we have great leadership and involvement from everybody. We are "lean" but very effective in my opinion.
It is my hope that over the years I have made sure they know how appreciative I am for their unconditional show of strength. I will continue to make a committed effort to show my gratitude.
Thank you one and all!
Wid
I also was reflective of the loss of two 15 year members due to personal reasons. I'm hoping they realize how grateful I am for their tremendous contribution and loyalty over a long period of time.
They will be missed!
Boards come in many shapes and forms and vary greatly in their roles as the culture of each organization is different. In our case we have great leadership and involvement from everybody. We are "lean" but very effective in my opinion.
It is my hope that over the years I have made sure they know how appreciative I am for their unconditional show of strength. I will continue to make a committed effort to show my gratitude.
Thank you one and all!
Wid
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
A Look at “The State of America’s Health”
I am constantly reading articles dealing with physical fitness, proper nutrition and living a healthy lifestyle. These topics have been the subject of many of my blogs and are key to Grand Canyon State Games’ educational program promoting a more active, healthier and happier lifestyle.
Earlier this year, U.S. News & World Report took a sobering look at “The State of America’s Health.” Here are a few excerpts:
“Americans today are fatter and less active than ever before. Two-thirds of adults are either overweight or obese, and fewer than a third exercise at least three times a week. Twenty-four million people have diabetes, the vast majority of it related to lifestyle. An additional 57 million are pre-diabetic. One in five adults still smokes in spite of the decades of public anti-tobacco campaigns that point out smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths.
“Our expanding girth is America’s most visible health problem. Not only are most adults too heavy, but obesity rates for children have more than doubled in the past 30 years. Excess weight is a significant factor in four of the six leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. Obesity has fueled a 45% rise in diabetes over the past 20 years. Someone born in 2000 has a one-in-three chance of developing the disease.
“In fact, an estimated 900,000 people die from avoidable causes every year because they failed to maintain a healthy weight, eat nutritiously, exercise or smoked or drank excessively. That’s roughly 40% of all deaths in the United States.”
I’ll continue this discussion next week because it is important we recognize the consequences of how we live our lives.
~Wid
Earlier this year, U.S. News & World Report took a sobering look at “The State of America’s Health.” Here are a few excerpts:
“Americans today are fatter and less active than ever before. Two-thirds of adults are either overweight or obese, and fewer than a third exercise at least three times a week. Twenty-four million people have diabetes, the vast majority of it related to lifestyle. An additional 57 million are pre-diabetic. One in five adults still smokes in spite of the decades of public anti-tobacco campaigns that point out smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths.
“Our expanding girth is America’s most visible health problem. Not only are most adults too heavy, but obesity rates for children have more than doubled in the past 30 years. Excess weight is a significant factor in four of the six leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. Obesity has fueled a 45% rise in diabetes over the past 20 years. Someone born in 2000 has a one-in-three chance of developing the disease.
“In fact, an estimated 900,000 people die from avoidable causes every year because they failed to maintain a healthy weight, eat nutritiously, exercise or smoked or drank excessively. That’s roughly 40% of all deaths in the United States.”
I’ll continue this discussion next week because it is important we recognize the consequences of how we live our lives.
~Wid
Thursday, October 29, 2009
"National Art Contest Invites Everyone To Compete"
I truly enjoy the excitement generated by our Art Contest! With this years new sponsor, Southwestern College, entries are steady with the postmark deadline being tomorrow.
The contest promotes creativity through art as an effective method for artists of ALL ages(grades K-12, adults ages 18-49, 50+) to express their dreams and ideas for a successful life and a better community. The vision of healthy self-improvement through friendly competition continuesin the Art Contest!
I'm hoping to eclipse last years total of 1,789 adding to our 16,787 ten year total.
I'll let you know.........
Wid
The contest promotes creativity through art as an effective method for artists of ALL ages(grades K-12, adults ages 18-49, 50+) to express their dreams and ideas for a successful life and a better community. The vision of healthy self-improvement through friendly competition continuesin the Art Contest!
I'm hoping to eclipse last years total of 1,789 adding to our 16,787 ten year total.
I'll let you know.........
Wid
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Can Parents Influence their Children’s Eating Habits?
As I have researched these blogs on physical fitness and proper nutrition, I ran across another issue regarding the challenge parents face in coaching their children away from unhealthy eating without making for strained relations and possible psychological problems. How do parents get their kids to understand that their intake of food impacts their overall health without making them rebel or be unduly self-conscious of the consequences.
I am talking about the young man who knowingly eats more than he should, or the daughter who treats food warily – always concerned about her waistline. Neither may be considered obese or anorexic, but they represent a larger group of young people who fall between those widely publicized (and much more complicated) extremes.
In recent years, worry about what and how much children eat has intensified because of the frequent references to obesity. Then there is the concern with children back in school where parents cannot monitor their eating habits. It’s encouraging, however, that school cafeterias and vending areas are providing fewer sugary soft drinks and fried foods, and class bake sales are more apt to feature calorie-reduced brownies.
Even with all this increased awareness, parents are having to sort out all the conflicting information regarding diets and weight control. Beyond genes, which obviously play a fundamental role, is soda pop a major factor? What about too little sleep?
An article in The Republic this week reports that one in five youngsters isn’t getting enough Vitamin D and could be at risk for a variety of health problems, including weak bones, infections, diabetes and some cancers. The deficiency is even more prevalent among Minorities. The American Academy of Pediatrics indicated that children can get 400 units of Vitamin D by drinking four cups of fortified milk daily or eating lots of fish. Exposure to our Arizona sun is another source of Vitamin D.
As one parent pointed out, “We get nutritional advice, but that’s not the same as eating advice.” My best answer is that parents should encourage sensible eating and vigorous physical activity by engaging in both themselves, thereby setting the example their children hopefully will follow. Another good suggestion is to involve your children in the shopping for, and cooking of meals as a way to heighten their consciousness about food and proper eating habits.
~ Lew Shaw
I am talking about the young man who knowingly eats more than he should, or the daughter who treats food warily – always concerned about her waistline. Neither may be considered obese or anorexic, but they represent a larger group of young people who fall between those widely publicized (and much more complicated) extremes.
In recent years, worry about what and how much children eat has intensified because of the frequent references to obesity. Then there is the concern with children back in school where parents cannot monitor their eating habits. It’s encouraging, however, that school cafeterias and vending areas are providing fewer sugary soft drinks and fried foods, and class bake sales are more apt to feature calorie-reduced brownies.
Even with all this increased awareness, parents are having to sort out all the conflicting information regarding diets and weight control. Beyond genes, which obviously play a fundamental role, is soda pop a major factor? What about too little sleep?
An article in The Republic this week reports that one in five youngsters isn’t getting enough Vitamin D and could be at risk for a variety of health problems, including weak bones, infections, diabetes and some cancers. The deficiency is even more prevalent among Minorities. The American Academy of Pediatrics indicated that children can get 400 units of Vitamin D by drinking four cups of fortified milk daily or eating lots of fish. Exposure to our Arizona sun is another source of Vitamin D.
As one parent pointed out, “We get nutritional advice, but that’s not the same as eating advice.” My best answer is that parents should encourage sensible eating and vigorous physical activity by engaging in both themselves, thereby setting the example their children hopefully will follow. Another good suggestion is to involve your children in the shopping for, and cooking of meals as a way to heighten their consciousness about food and proper eating habits.
~ Lew Shaw
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