 |
||
The following article was presented to me this week and I think this is an excellent hand-out for you to provide your clients that are trying to improve their health and fitness lifestyle. You have already been warned to never represent yourself as something you are not (MD, DO, DCM, RD, etc.), but you must be prepared to offer your clients solid, industry standard advice that will help them achieve their goals.
by Christina Bell In 1999-2000, an estimated 64% of U.S. adults aged 20 and older, nearly 59 million people, were obese or overweight. In my opinion people become overweight or obese due to limited education on nutrition, food choices, and lack of motivation to exercise. Americans constantly rely on “fast” foods or convenience foods, which lead to overeating and poor nutrition. Instead of eating unhealthy foods, people can use the food pyramid as a general guide in choosing a healthful diet that is right for themselves and their children. The pyramid calls for eating a variety of foods to get the necessary nutrients to provide adequate calories to promote general health in adults and growth in children. According to most dietitians there are no good foods or bad foods. It is the amount we eat that’s the problem. A portion of pasta in a restaurant is 3 cups, whereas the actual serving size is only ½ cup! Because the portion sizes we eat are growing, so are Americans. Carbohydrates, proteins and fats provide calories to our bodies. We need them all daily, along with vitamins, minerals, and water. Changing successfully to a healthy diet won’t happen overnight. Like most worthwhile things, it takes time and effort. The bottom line is, we should change our eating habits to:
Being overweight and obese can lead to health problems, which can bring about economic consequences for the U.S. healthcare system. The increasing prevalence of being overweight and obese is associated with both direct and indirect costs. Direct healthcare costs refer to preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services for overweight and obese people (for example, physicians visits and hospital and nursing home care). Indirect costs refer to the value of future earnings lost by premature death. Approximately 300,000 deaths each year in the United States may be attributed to being overweight or obese. Regular physical activity is extremely helpful for the prevention of becoming overweight and obese, especially when it is combined with calorie reduction. In addition to weight control, physical activity helps prevent heart disease, helps control cholesterol levels and diabetes, slows bone loss associated with advancing age, lowers the risk of certain cancers, and helps reduce anxiety and depression. People become overweight and obese due to poor nutritional education and their inability to commit to a healthy lifestyle that includes physical fitness. With simple lifestyle changes and a commitment to becoming a healthier society, Americans will begin to lead a healthier lifestyle. The author, Christina A. Bell, is an extremely hard working tennis player and grade school student (age 12) and I am proud to say she is my daughter. She has granted reproduction rights to all IFPA Certified Instructors (negotiations were brutal).
Looking forward to seeing and greeting you at the conference. Sincerely, Jim Bell
|
|
|