Rise In Obesity Leading To An Increase In Knee Replacements

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Knee replacement surgery (also known as knee arthroplasty), where the joint is literally article-2182691-1458F731000005DC-813_468x425removed and replaced with an artificial one, was once thought of as an older person’s surgery or for those with sporting injuries.  But the trend towards people under the age of 65 being referred is on the up, and new research has now pinpointed rising levels of obesity as the culprit.

The study, carried out by The University of Massachusetts Medical School, looked at 9,000 knee replacement patients and found that 55% of patients in the under 65 age group were obese, compared with 43% in the group who were 65 or older.  And of the patients in the under 65 years age group, 11% were classified as severely (morbidly) obese, compared to 5% in the older age group.  Read more

Five More Years – YEAH!

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mou-landing-photosFive years ago, National Dairy Council and America’s dairy farmers teamed up with the National Football League and other powerful partners to empower kids to make their schools a healthier place. Since then, Fuel Up to Play 60 has reached over 38 million kids in 73,000 schools, encouraging them to choose good-for-you foods and get 60 minutes of play a day.

 The NDC and NFL, along with GENYOUth Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education are proud to announce a renewed $250 million public-private partnership to benefit America’s youth.

A celebration of the program’s success and commitment to its future kicked-off in bright lights with a halftime vignette during the Jacksonville Jaguars game on NFL Network and continues with the founders of Fuel Up to Play 60 coming together in Chicago onMonday, December 9 for the formal announcement.

Glenbard District 87 has joined FUTP60 and has received over $16,000 in grants.  Hopefully their Elementary Feeder School Districts will also start to explore the advantages of being part of this fantastic opportunity.

Meet The League of Illinois Bicyclists (LIB)

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logo_0The League of Illinois Bicyclists is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving bicycling conditions in Illinois. They are the statewide advocate for all Illinois bicyclists, promoting bicycle access, education, and safety. Their vision is :  “Illinois – Land of Safe and Enjoyable Bicycling for all.” 

In addition to great information about biking, their website provides  helpful quizzes for Adult Bicyclists, Motorists, and Child Bicyclists at www.bikesafetyquiz.com

The League of Illinois Bicyclists has also developed bike safety sheets focusing on safe riding skills. The single-page format can easily be reprinted in newsletters, copied for bike rodeos, etc. There are two versions: one for younger elementary school kids (Grades K-3), one for older elementary and pre-teens (Grades 3-7).  The back of each has further details for parents.

The sheets may be downloaded and printed for your use.  Limited quantities of printed copies are also available from LIB (630-978-0583).  To print a copy go to: http://www.bikelib.org/safety-education/kids/bike-safety-sheet/League of Illinois Bicycls

How Are They Doing? Update on Our Your Healthy Life Made Easy!™ Contest Winners

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It’s been a little bit since Healthy Lombard Partner and Certified Health and Wellness Coach Melanie Jordan started working with the winner and runner-up of The Greater Lombard Area Weight Loss Transformation Contest, so let’s see how they’ve been doing!  For background on Cindy and Cheryl CLICK HERE

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Our Winner, Cindy Musiel is what Coach Melanie calls “an absolute rockstar!”  As of 11/25–her last weigh-in, she’s lost seven more pounds. Cindy also smartly planned for the Winter weather by joining a gym and taking her workouts indoors, added water aerobics, and is now strength training and doing Zumba®–new experiences for her.

Another new achievement for Cindy was walking her first-ever 5K (The Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot in Elmhurst) to kick off her Thanksgiving celebration. Now she’s eager to do another one!

For runner-up, Cheryl Behrens, she’s decided to focus more on stress reduction and feeling more energized with Coach Melanie.  So together, they’ve been working on time management, getting more organized and being more in control of situations where it’s possible.  Cheryl has been making great strides in these areas, and is already reporting improved energy, feeling better and being more active.

Way to go Cindy and Cheryl!

Don’t Let the Holidays Derail Your Healthy Lifestyle

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Turkey.3jpgNovember is a great time of the year, with the leaves changing and our attention turning to the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. This month is also National PTAs Healthy Lifestyles Month – a time when PTAs are encouraged to celebrate health and wellness in their schools and communities.

In their new brief, the PTA shared that many folks may think: “How can I possibly think about promoting healthy eating and physical activity during a time of year that brings families together to eat lots of delicious food, watch football, and stay warm and cozy inside?” Families may think: “It’s simply not possible to eat healthy or have time to exercise until after the New Year.” And, everyone may think: “Healthy food tastes bad and exercising is too hard.”

Simple Steps to avoid Diabetes

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diabetes-ribbon-2Twenty-four million American’s have diabetes, 25 percent of whom are not even aware of the fact.  This growing disease, also referred to as adult onset diabetes, is affecting a large number of the adult population. Even more alarming is the rate in which this disease is showing up in teenagers and children.

There is good news.  Type 2 diabetes (the most common form of diabetes) is preventable. In fact, roughly 90 percent of cases could have been totally avoided simply through a healthier lifestyle.
The Mayo Clinic has published five steps to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes:
Get more physical activity. Adults should get about 30 minutes of exercise a day and children and adolescents should get about an hour of exercise a day in order to maintain a healthy weight.

  • Get plenty of fiber. Foods high in fiber include; fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Replace chips and candy with these healthy snacks throughout your day. Read more

Woman Health Magazine's Calorie Guide

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weight-loss-manteca-caThere’s no getting around this fundamental truth: You can’t have weight-loss success unless your calories burned are more than your calories in. Leslie Bonci, M.P.H., R.D., a sports nutritionist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, recommends these formulas for figuring out how many calories your nutrition plan should include.

Everyone is different, but it will give you a basic idea.

Lazy-Day Calorie Goal
(use on days when you’re taking it easy/not exercising):
A. Your weight, in pounds: ____
B. A x 15 = _____
C. B – 500 = _____

Busy-Day Calorie Goal
(use on days when you’re active/exercising):
A. Your weight, in pounds: ____
B. A x 18 = ____
C. B – 500 = ____

Aim for these numbers and you’ll lose 1 pound per week, a weight-loss rate that’s healthy and super-easy to maintain. And … don’t forget to exercise too!

Need A Goal To Work Towards ????

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walkingJoin the Wellness Center’s Heart Walk team and Train with us for a month for free with a minimum donation of $10.00   We meet every Saturday starting 8/31/13 through 9/21/13, from 9:00am-10:00am.

Saturday trainings include walking, resistance training, and stretching to help you walk with more.  We meet outside of Kids Korner. The training is outside.

This offer is available for anyone who is interested members and non-members. Invite your friends!

The American Heart Association’s Heart Walk is on September 28th. It is not mandatory to walk on this day to be part of our team. However, We must see your name on our team with the $10 donation in order to join in the Saturday morning fun!

Questions?  Just call 630-275-2670.

To sign up go to: http://www.advocatehealth.com/gsam/wellness

Health Local Is On The Air!

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HealthLocalThanks to District 44, funding from FORWARD,  and  the wonderful assistance of the guys at Illinois Center for Broadcasting, Health Local is on the air!!!!!

It is tagged on to the end of  SchoolScape, the District 44 cable show.  This way, the education interviews are all contained in the first half hour and all the “healthy stuff” is in the second half hour.  Nice!

 

 

You can catch Health Local weekly on:

Tuesdays at 4:30 on Comcast Channel 19,

and… on the Lombard Channel 6 on:

Wednesday at 11PM
Fridays at 7:30 PM
Saturdays at 11:30 AM and 8:30 PM
Sundays at 2:30 PM.

The first show features:
Generation H:  students from Park View School
Chef’s Corner: Julie Marie cooks Healthy Breaded Vegetables
Healthy Hints:
Interviews at the Glenbard Parent Series Health Fair
The Doctor is In:
Dr. Dungan from DuPage Medical explaining 5,4,3,2,1, GO!
Life Long Lessons:  Joan from Lexington Square
Workout Room:  Pilates at Health Track Sports and Wellness

Shows 2 and 3 are in edit right now.  Yeah!!!!!

Getting past those exercise excuses

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bearexerciseThe Daily Herald Newspaper  had a great article on  Labor Day about exercise.

Now, what was your excuse ????

(printed 9/2/13) You know the benefits of exercise and you have most likely heard them a zillion times: a healthier heart, reduced risk for some cancers, better sleep patterns, weight loss, lower stress levels, stronger bones and muscles, less fear of falling, mental acuity, more energy and confidence.

Yet, according to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, only 3 out of 10 American adults get enough exercise. Quality of life can be improved by walking at a moderate pace 30 minutes a day. If walking hurts your joints, you can take your exercising to the water.
We make excuses to make us feel less discomfort if we are committed to exercise and don’t do it, Dan Kirschenbaum, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University Medical School, said.

Exercise excuses — and solutions

1. I don’t have time!

  • Think of exercise as important as brushing your teeth or any other daily routine — for best results, you need to be consistent.
  • Include exercise times on your calendar as you would other appointments and reschedule when you miss.
  • Don’t forget in-home workouts, where you may be more flexible to fit short bursts of exercise into your day; exercise does not have to be a formal workout.
  • Create movement. Put on some music and make up your own dance steps, walk an extra lap in the mall or grocery store, take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk instead of drive whenever you can.
  • Keep weights near the television, using them while watching some of your favorite shows and stretch during commercials. Read more