Posts filed under 'Healthy Lifestyle Research'
We all know what to do, now it has been shown to work. To get an extra 14 years of life - 14 more years to enjoy your family, friends, vacations, grandkids, birthdays and more; it’s simple.
- Don’t smoke
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
- Exercise regularly
- Drink alcohol in moderation
Seems easy enough, right?
Healthy Lifestyle Study
After tracking more than 20,000 people aged 45 - 79 years in the UK from about 1993 to 2006, the University of Cambridge and colleagues found that people who adopted these four healthy habits lived an average of 14 years longer than those who didn’t. This study was published Monday in the Public Library of Science Medicine journal.
We have all been told many times the benefits of making healthy changes to our daily lifestyle, but this study should help convince people that improving their health is easy. Kay-Tee Khaw, a researcher in the study says, “We didn’t ask these people to do anything exceptional. We measured normal behaviors that were entirely feasible within people’s normal, everyday lives.”
Just 1 Change in Your Lifestyle Can Help
Because the study observed people rather than testing specific changes, it is important to understand it would be impossible to think that one who suddenly adopts these changes would automatically gain 14 years. Keep in mind, even by making just one or two of these lifestyle changes creates an added benefit. This is always better than nothing!
So lets try to toss those cigarettes and beer bottles and actually use our gym memberships we have been paying for each month to create new healthy habits for many years to come!
Source: Time Magazine
January 8th, 2008
A new study shows hope for the future generation’s healthy habits, as well as a glimpse of change for everyone. The University of Minnesota has released a study which shows that children will continue to eat lunches offered in schools - whether healthy or not. Disproving a few common misconceptions, the school lunch sales didn’t decline when healthier meals were served, and more nutritious lunches aren’t neccesarily more expensive to produce.
The study, which is published in the December issue of the Review of Agricultural Economics, analyzed five years of data for 330 Minnesota public school districts. After looking into the numbers, they found that schools serving healthier lunches did not see a decrease in demand.
According to the study, while serving better meals does entail higher labor costs; these costs are offset by lower costs for more nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables compared with processed foods. However, many districts need to upgrad their kitchens and train their staff to prepare these foods.
While students are eating more fruits and vegetables, it doesn’t mean they don’t sneak in a hot dog every once in a while…a turkey low-fat dog of course! One of the researchers pointed out that she believes that “people underestimate the willingness of kids to eat healthier foods”. These new improvements have most likely been the result of federal policy changes set in place in 2004.
This study brings up an interesting argument between obesity rates in our population and the readiness of fast food and unhealthy options. Of course there are many different studies, opinions and arguments on this particular topic, but it is a good example of what could be done at a larger scale. If the option for healthy food was as the only available choice, what do you think would happen?
Source: CNN.com; Study: Schoolkids willing to eat healthy
December 18th, 2007
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the levels of obesity in American adults is at a temporary stand still. About 33 percent of adult men and 35 percent of adult women in the U.S. were obese in 2005-2006. That equals to more than 72 million people!! Even though these rates were slightly higher than the previous year, the numbers were not considered statistically significant.
In general, the obesity rate in US adults has been climbing from 15 percent in 1980. Since then there have been occasional plateaus.
According to the new reports, the obesity rates were most common in adults age 40 to 59. Within this age group, racial disparities were found with obesity rates at 39 percent in white women and 51 percent in Mexican-American and African American women. However, there were no racial or ethnic disparities found within the male population.
The report also showed that at least one third of obese adults had not been told by a doctor or health care provider that they were overweight.
Source: CNN.com and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
November 29th, 2007
Fall is the perfect time to indulge in healthy, hearty favorites, but beware because the calories can add up quickly! This doesn’t mean you have to completely deprive yourself of all of your holiday favorites, but you may need to make a few simple changes to them. Fall brings healthy foods such as apples to sweet potatoes, but we always have the ability to mask their nutritional value with rich additions. From Halloween to Football Season and Oktoberfest to Holiday Parties, you may find yourself eating and drinking for hours at a time, with a decrease in physical activity. Here is a list of a few fall favorites that can help add the pounds during this Holiday Season:
Halloween Candy - Not only are the treat bowls running over after Halloween night, but weeks before this fright night, bowls of candy are showing up everywhere. To avoid overeating, keep sweets out of sight and be prepared for afternoon cravings with something nutritious.
Cream Soups and Hearty Stews- These soups are the perfect comfort for cold weather, but be careful because many of these creamy stews come with a high calorie count.
Root Vegetables- While these vegetables can come packed with many vitamins and nutrients, they can almost quadruple in calories when creamed, fried or mixed with cheese, cream, butter, bacon, and other high calorie toppings. A sweet potato, normally around 100 calories, can have as many as 500 calories when made into a casserole!
Seasonal Beverages- When the weather gets cold, a pumpkin spice or eggnog latte seems to hit the spot. However, before you start racing to the nearest Starbucks, know these drinks pack a lot of extra calories. If you make it through the season without your holiday brew, try using skim milk and passing on the whipped cream topping!
Apple, Pecan and Sweet Potato Pies - Just as with the root vegetables, these holiday pie ingredients start off nutritious but add in high-calorie pie crusts and fillings and the calorie count is through the roof! Enjoy your favorite holiday dessert, but remember moderation is key!
The Holidays are meant to be enjoyed with friends, family and food. Follow these tips to indulge this fall season without the extra calories:
- Enjoy Autumn harvest simply prepared, without extra fats and sugars. A roasted sweet potato is delicious enough without the additional toppings.
- Get moving. Stay active despite the cold weather! Try to get in your 10,000 steps daily.
- Don’t keep tempting treats in sight. Keep the candy bowls and cookie jars out of reach.
- Be aware of the amount of food you are eating. Keep in mind your portions. It is easy during a buffet served dinner to lose track of portions.
Source: Webmd.com
November 13th, 2007
For over thirty years, H3I has been in the business of promoting a healthy lifestyle through behavior change. Our philosophy centers on helping people learn to take responsibility for their personal health and wellness. In addition, we have also evolved to include the environmental responsibility of protecting our earth and its natural resources.
At H3I, we take the initiative to grow our business model with “green” operations in mind. With this Green Initiativewe aim to incorporate a simple, sensible approach to environmental responsibility in areas such as facility design, supplies, business practices, and even education for guests and staff.
Some key actions H3I takes for the Green Initiative include:
- Reduction of waste materials — converting our computer settings to print double sided allows H3I to save 1 ton (literally) of paper per year and also the promotion of the use of water bottles during fitness activities will reduce the waste of 60,000 plastic cups per year
- Recycling Program
- Energy Conservation
- Ec0-friendly Linen Program
- Sustainable Development within New Construction and Renovation
- No Smoking Policy
We welcome and encourage everyone in the Green Initiative both at home and at H3I. Here are some examples of how you can make a difference while visiting the Institute:
- Utilize your H3I water bottle instead of disposable bottles/cups
- Recycle all paper materials (paper, newspaper, and cardboard) in the appropriate receptacles
- Walk or bike instead of driving (with the added benefit of great exercise!)
- Honor H3I’s no smoking policy (more health benefits!)
- Turn off lights and other appliances when you’re not in the room
November 5th, 2007
According to a survey from the American Psychological Association, nearly 1 in 3 US adults report “extreme stress” in their lives. Not only is there a report in “extreme stress”, but they feel stress over half the days in a month and their levels of stress have increased almost 50% over the last five years. Not only are US adults more stressed, they are suffering physically, emotionally, and professionally as a result.
Most participants - 82% - say they manage their stress well, however, do report stress causes problems with their physical and mental health, work and relationships. Physical problems such as fatigue, headache, upset stomach and muscle tension as well as mental problems including irritability, nervousness, anger and lack of energy.
And how do we deal with these stressors?? We eat, smoke, drink and don’t sleep. Nearly 50% of the participants report losing sleep and overeating, particularly candy and chocolate. Where is the stress coming from? Work is the number one stressor with money coming in at a close second.
In the article, the American Psychological Association gives tip for managing stressors - without reaching for the nearest bag of chips!
- Understand how you experience stress.
- Identify your sources of stress.
- Learn your own stress signals.
- Recognize how you deal with stress.
- Find healthy ways to manage stress.
- Take care of yourself.
- Reach out for support.
October 25th, 2007
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