Project Smokebuster: Clearing the Air

Project Smokebusters is a three-year program modeled after the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control for children and adolescents. The program is designed to develop a student’s critical thinking skills, to deter them from tobacco use, as well as, train them to be an advocate for tobacco related policy change.

The Kirksville RIII school district was the recipient of a $106,072 grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) to implement Project Smokebusters. Project Mentors Barbra Rice and Brittany Schultehenrich will use the program to train high school students to be effective role models and teachers who will serve over 2,000 local students. They also seek community-wide tobacco control and/or environmental policy change that support the reduction of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. The project objectives are to establish Smokebusters teams committed to the project by teaching them appropriate advocacy and presentation techniques. The youth are trained to counter tobacco advertising and advocate for policy change in order to reduce youth initiation of tobacco use.

The Kirksville Smokebuster’s were actively involved in the push for a local smoking ordinance that went into effect July 1, 2007. These students actively campaigned for the smoke free initiative by reaching out to their parents and peers through speaking at city council meetings, as well as, their homes and schools. The current ordinance affects all area restaurants and bars virtually eliminating secondhand smoke exposure in the public domain. Other student activities include: presenting tobacco education lessons to peers, performing Edu-Dramas at the Kirksville Elementary School, organizing Red Ribbon and Smokebusters week, and attending annual trainings for tobacco education and advocacy.

Smokebusters: An Interactive Approach to Smoking Prevention and Policy ChangeLeslie A. Moss*, Chaeli A. Dougherty, Rebecca N. Verhaeghe, Liz Schulte, and Brittany Schultehenrich

Smokebusters: Educating and Empowering Youth to be Advocates for Policy Change
Mary Ann Reed, BSN RN, Project Smokebusters, reedmtully@yahoo.com, Joyce Lara, BS, joyce.lara@dhss.mo.gov, Lori Moots-Clair, BSN RN, mootsl@lpha.dhss.mo.gov.

Negative Health Consequences of Passive Smoking

Secondhand smoke, or environmental tobacco smoke, includes smoke from the burning cigarette, cigar, or pipe tip (side stream smoke) and the exhaled mainstream smoke. It contains at least 250 chemicals known to be toxic, including more than 50 that can cause cancer. Secondhand smoke is proven to cause detriment to adult and children’s health.

Effects of Secondhand smoke:
-increased risk of asthma
-lung cancer
-heart attack
-increased risk of pneumonia
-increased risk of bronchitis
-reduced lung function
-cold symptoms (cough, phlegm, wheeze, and breathlessness)
-ear infections
-SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

Recently associated with secondhand smoke are:
-cancer
-colic
-vitamin C deficiency
-learning/behavioral defects
-rhinitis
-tooth decay

The California Environmental Protection Agency estimates that secondhand smoke exposure causes about 3,400 lung cancer deaths and 22,700–69,600 heart disease deaths each year among adult nonsmokers in the United States (www.cdc.gov).

An estimate of the overall healthcare costs associated with secondhand smoke in Maine children is between 8 and 11.5 million per year (www.cdc.gov).

www.cdc.gov
www.phillipmorrisusa.com
www.surgeongeneral.gov

Reported by: Lauren Kenna

Benefits of Physical Activity for Teens

Childhood obesity has become an epidemic in our country. According to the CDC, “17% of children age 12-19 are overweight.” Some would argue that this is the fault of video games and technology that has become increasingly popular in the past few years. The fact of the matter is that technology may be part of the problem, but it is certainly not the whole story. We are living in a more sedentary world than ever before and our young adults are being raised in this environment. The truly sad part of this story is that inactivity during teenage years has a lasting effect on a child’s health. It can lead to heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. These conditions are all extremely preventable with proper nutrition and physical activity. With just a little physical activity everyday teenagers will have a better chance at leading healthier lives on down the road.
The effects of physical activity are wide spread. Physical activity among children and adolescents is important because of the related health benefits such as: cardio-respiratory function, blood pressure control, weight management, cognitive function, and other emotional benefits (Department of Health and Human Services). It can decrease depression rates, lower cholesterol and help with physical appearance. Exercise can help teens to feel better not only physically, but mentally as well. It has been shown to help reduce stress levels and improve brain function in children around the country. Those adolescents who participate in regular physical education are more likely to do better on standardized tests and do better in school overall. Part of the reason why kids are more inactive during their teenage years than any other is that they tend to drop out of organized sports around this time. For those kids who do not continue on with sports they find other things to occupy their time like playing video games or watching television.
It is not enough just to promote more physical activity in the schools. The real battle needs to be fought at home within the family. Parents who set a good, healthy example for their children are more likely to have active kids. Planning activities is an important part in the war against the sedentary lifestyle. If parents could encourage their kids to be active just thirty minutes a day they would see lasting effects on their health and happiness.
Sources:
http://www.fitness.gov/resources_factsheet.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/DataStatistics/

Fluoridate the Water!

Fluoride has dramatically changed the oral health of millions of people since it was first introduced into the public water supply of towns and cities across the United States in 1945. Grand Rapids, Michigan was the first to start this revolution of putting fluoride into public drinking water. The American Dental Association states that “community water fluoridation is the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention proclaimed community water fluoridation as one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century” (ADA, 1). This is a very important issue and citizens should not wait to fluoridate their drinking water.

So what is fluoride? “Fluoride is a naturally occurring compound that can help prevent dental decay” (ADA, 10). Fluoride is an ion that comes from the element fluorine. Fluorine is a very abundant element and is found on the earth’s crust as the ion fluoride. Fluoridation of public drinking water is simply adjusting the amount of fluoride that naturally occurs in the water; for some this may mean adding fluoride and for others this is may mean decreasing the amount of fluoride. “The optimal fluoride level recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service is 0.7-1.2 parts per million for the prevention of tooth decay” (ADA, 1). As of 2002, over two-thirds of the United States population have fluoride in their public water supply. Public water supply fluoridation is a very safe and effective practice to prevent tooth decay. “Today, studies prove water fluoridation continues to be effective in reducing tooth decay by 20-40%, even in an era with widespread availability of fluoride from other sources, such as fluoride toothpaste”
(ADA, 1).

Fluoride helps protect teeth from decay in two ways, systemically and topically. Systemically, fluoride is ingested into the body and the fluoride becomes incorporated with the tooth structure making it stronger. When fluoride is systemically ingested, such as drinking a glass of water with fluoridated water regularly, the fluoride incorporates into the teeth better than if it were applied topically, such as fluoride in the toothpaste. Systemically, fluoride is also present in saliva, which bathes the teeth throughout the day, again allowing the teeth to become stronger, and this further prevents tooth decay (ADA, 10).

Water fluoridation is also very cost effective for small towns, such as Brunswick, MO. It will cost approximately $3.00 per year per person to fluoridate the water. Furthermore, for every $1 spent on water fluoridation, $38 in dental treatments is saved (ADA, 1). It has been proved from data collected that the average lifetime cost per person to add fluoride to the drinking water is less than the cost of treating one dental filling (ADA, 56). To put it into economic terms, is it better for a person to pay $3.00 a year to have fluoridate their public water supply, which helps support healthy teeth without decay or is it better for a person to brush their teeth, hoping the fluoridated toothpaste will be sufficient to prevent tooth decay? Each person has to weigh the costs individually, but from the facts it seems evident that every public water supply should be fluoridated.

Resource:

American Dental Association. Fluoridation Facts. Chicago, IL: American Dental Association, 2005. 7 Feb. 2008

mike ayer Diabetes the sweet life

Diabetes does not mean DIE-Abetes
Diabetes is a disease defined as the body’s ability to produce or properly use the hormone insulin. Insulin converts sugar also know as glucose, as well as starches found in food into energy. Finding out about any disease is frightening especially in today’s world where we expect the “magic pill”, which can cure all. Diabetes as the title says is not a death sentence; however, it is an awareness or a change in attitude that must be taken to ensure a quality of life. There are many forms of diabetes and thousands of undiagnosed people in the United States. Pre-diabetes, Type 1 diabetes, and Type 2 diabetes.
The most important treatment with this disease as with any disease is to follow instruction from your health care provider, educate yourself and your family and friends and be proactive in your care and regime. For many people, being proactive before diagnosis, by exercising and watching what you eat, the probability of you acquiring the disease would have decreased. One of the things you can do to lower your risk is to lose weight if you are overweight. Become active, walk, or exercise regularly. Eat a well balanced diet of low fat meals. Wouldn’t you rather walk now for a better fitness level instead of have to monitor your blood glucose level and have to change the way you eat and live? The old saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is something to really think about. Especially as Americans we say “what if” or “if only I would have….”. Now is the time find out your risk for diabetes and get active for life and enjoy The Sweet Life. Even if you have been diagnosed with any form of diabetes exercise and watching what you eat can dramatically affect your quality of life. No time like the present.

Know these terms and signs and symptoms.

Hypoglycemia means low glucose in the blood.

Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia:

Can include but not all have to be present shakiness, dizziness, hunger, headaches, sudden mood swings or behavior changes, jerky movements of muscles, and confusion.

Hyperglycemia means high glucose in the blood.

Signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia:

Can include but not all have to be present a very dry mouth with extreme thirst, nausea and vomiting and shortness of breath.

References:

American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Myths. American Diabetes Association. Accessed on 30 January 2008: http://www.diabetes.org.

Clay County, Missouri Family Nutrition

Clay County, Missouri is located near the western border of the state, lying north of Kansas City. The population of the county during the 2000 census was 184,000, with 72,500 households. Of those households, 33% had children under the age of 18 residing with them. The county has experienced significant growth in recent years, 20% between the 1990 and 2000 census and 2.5% in the first year after the 2000 census. The median household income is also substantially higher than the state’s at $48,000. The county is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area and contains approximately 9% of Greater Kansas City’s population and 10% of its jobs. Many of the families, who do not work in Clay County, make the short commute to Kansas City for work. The county is also made up of a large rural area that also commutes to the city for employment.

Clay County Health Department, like most health departments across the nation, is looking to address the growing obesity epidemic in our country. One area that we have decided to focus on is family nutrition, which as the term implies includes both parents and their children. Using a two-front approach, we can work with the parents to provide healthy meals to their younger children and to set good examples for their older children. Then we can work with the children and the school districts to ensure the children are eating healthy meals and snacks during the school day. The children can also take their new nutrition knowledge home to their parents, providing additional encouragement for the healthy changes.

Many people are beginning to focus on changing unhealthy habits in order to achieve better lives. Diets are being modified and time is being made for exercise, but countless individuals are forgetting one key aspect of their life, their mental health. Americans are being overburdened with excessive workloads. The tremendous amount people have on their plates coupled with the pressure to succeed causes an unhealthy amount of stress in the general population. While many write their stress off as normal, a lot of people’s stress may be of an unhealthy nature that may lead to great physical and mental difficulties down the road. America must become familiar with this threat and take measures to reduce it before we ‘work ourselves to death’.

What is Stress?
The first definition for stress was created in 1936 by Hans Selye. He stated that stress is”the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change" (Institute of Stress). Selye’s definition allows others to understand that stress is not merely a reaction to something bad, but merely a reaction to a change in situation. This definition lacks an explanation to what kind of response the body has. Stress is not only a change in a body response but more specifically a "physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension" (Institute of Stress). In order for stress to form, whether it is from a good or bad situation, there must be a stressor causing tension to appear.

What are some signs I am too stressed out?
Stress has long been considered a bad thing by most people. This is probably due to the undesirable side-effects that occur when in a stressful situation. The truth is that stress can be a motivating factor until it reaches a particular threshold. Increased stress has been shown to increase productivity up to a certain point (Institute of Stress). Past this point, stress decreases productivity drastically, by triggering exhaustion and even sickness (Institute of Stress). It is because so many people’s stress has surpassed this threshold that nearly 1 million workers are absent each day. This number tripled from 1996 to 2000 (Institute of Stress).

In order for people to better understand whether or not they have too much stress in their lives, they must be able to identify the signs and symptoms of unhealthy stress levels. Some symptoms of stress include (Institute of Stress):

• reoccurring headaches
• stuttering
• grinding teeth
• tremors/shaking
• frequent sweating
• insomnia
• nightmares
• muscle pains
• depression
• digestive difficulties
• panic attacks
• excess anxiety
• decreased appetite
• chest pain
• reduced work efficiency

What are the physical effects of stress?
Unhealthy amounts of stress can have detrimental long term effects on the human body. Stress initiates a release of cortisol, norepinephrine, and serotonin (Stress and Cardiovascular disease & Stress on the Brain). Normal stress levels allow the body to recuperate following a stressful situation and to re-balance hormone levels. On the other hand, chronic stress causes an imbalance of these hormones, with excess in some areas of the body and deficiencies in others (Stress and Cardiovascular disease). For example, chronic stress causes a surplus of cortisol in the brain. This can lead to damage of neurons and loss of short term memory. In addition, the sympathetic activity which stress instigates, leads to a suppression of the immune system which may worsen allergies and lead to greater susceptibility to illnesses (Stress and Cardiovascular disease).

Another major concern chronic stress creates within the medical community is its effects on a persons’ heart health. Stress not only increases a persons' chances of participating in unhealthy activities (eating unhealthily, not exercising due to work load, drinking alcohol, and smoking), it also trigger physiological responses which predispose a person to heart disease. Chronic stress increases both blood pressure and risk of atherosclerosis (Stress and Cardiovascular disease). Both factors most inevitably lead to heart disease. In addition to heart disease, stress may lead to obesity and diabetes which are both linked to cardiovascular disease in several ways.

Other illnesses which stress has been shown to increase the chances of include migraines, ulcers, asthma, infertility, and irritable bowel syndrome. Nearly “75-90% of all doctors visits are due to stress-related ailments” (Stress and Cardiovascular disease). On top of the physical symptoms associated with stress, mental illnesses, such as depression, also forms as side effects. When the mind cannot keep up with the body, there will inevitably be psychological symptoms of distress. It is obvious that stress is a detrimental aspect in today’s world. With all of the physical and psychological ailments created by stress, it may be in the best interest of the citizens of America to reduce workload in order to achieve increased the quality of life and more productive businesses.

References

• The American Institute of Stress. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2008, from American Institute of Stress Web site: http://www.stress.org/
• Stress on the Brain. (2004). The Human Brain. Retrieved January 20, 2008, from The Frankilin Institute Resources for Science & Learning Web site: http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/stress.html
• Stress and Cardiovascular disease. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2008, from Maharishi college of Vedic Medicine Web site: http://www.tm.cme.edu/01.html

-Thanks guys, Chaeli

Parental/Family Health

Family Nutrition

An important factor of health is the basic maintenance of eating the right kinds of foods. Nutrition can be defined as the process of taking in food or other substances necessary for growth, health and good condition. As primary caretakers, parents are largely responsible for the health and good condition of their children. Parents control which foods are available in the house, prepare meals, and set examples for years to come. With the right education, eating healthy can be the easiest and most important way to shield oneself (and one’s family) from the many diseases that are becoming more and more common, such as diabetes and heart disease.

How to…

Get started.
This starts with some very simple planning. The first tip is to let the new USDA food pyramid be your guide. Also, let your kids join in on choosing the right foods. There are limitless options and new ideas that can focus on the fruits and vegetables a healthy family needs. Many people tend to underestimate the amount of food they eat and tend to overestimate the recommended portion sizes for many foods. Relating the portion size of a serving to everyday items is an easy way to visualize what a true portion size looks like:

• Woman's fist or baseball - a serving of vegetables or fruit is about the size of your fist.
• A rounded handful - about one half cup cooked or raw veggies or cut fruit, a piece of fruit, or ½ cup of cooked rice or pasta - this is a good measure for a snack serving, such as chips or pretzels
• Deck of cards - a serving of meat, fish or poultry or the palm of your hand (don't count your fingers!) - for example, one chicken breast, ¼ pound hamburger patty or a medium pork chop
• Golf ball or large egg - one quarter cup of dried fruit or nuts
• Tennis ball - about one half cup of ice cream
• Computer mouse - about the size of a small baked potato
• Compact disc - about the size of one serving of pancake or small waffle
• Thumb tip - about one teaspoon of peanut butter
• Six dice - a serving of cheese
• Check book - a serving of fish (approximately 3 oz.)

Children need adequate calories to meet their needs for growth. On the other hand, portions that are too large could lead to overeating or seem overwhelming. Serving small portions to young children is often the best way for them to learn to eat only until satisfied, instead of overeating. Start kids off with less and encourage them to ask for more if they're still hungry.

Incorporate healthy eating on a tight budget.
A possible barrier to purchasing fruits and vegetables is that they can be expensive and spoil quickly. Remember that all forms count, so canned, frozen, dried and 100% natural juices are all good. Buy fruits and vegetables that are on special, and try to take advantage of canned and frozen sales to stock up. Buying from local farmers or farmers markets is an economical way to get fresh fruit in season.

Other ways to save on money include using leftovers. Leftover chicken can be used in salads, soups, pasta dishes, quesadillas or sandwiches. Rice is great for stir-frys, pilafs, rice pudding, soups or salads. Cold veggies can be tossed in salad or added to sandwiches or casseroles.

Serve picky eaters.

• Offer a wide variety of nutritious food. Serving a wide variety of food and gently encouraging them to eat a balance at every meal will eliminate many mealtime battles.
• Do not worry if the correct balance of food does not come all in one day. Generally it averages out over several days.
• Do not force them to eat.
• Make mealtime a positive experience. Avoid setting dessert up as the prize for eating the rest of the meal, as doing so elevates high fat, overly sweet food to a position of unearned importance, creating habits of overeating and cravings for unhealthy foods.
• Teach children to view food as nourishment for active, healthy bodies.
• Stock up on nutrient rich foods. The foods you have readily available in your home will influence your children's diet and eating style. Keep moderation and variety in mind when you stock your food shelves.
• Involve your children in the planning, shopping, growing and preparation of food. Teaching them to take small portions and add a little more if they are still hungry helps prevent food wasting.
• Offer healthy snacks for days when children are famished and cannot wait until the next meal.
• Set a positive example. Eat when you are hungry, and quit when you are full.
• Be sensitive to your child and serve foods that they enjoy along with foods that you encourage them to experience.
  
  

Teen Pregnancy??!!! Gees….Does that still go on??!!! The Importance of Teen’s Turning the Tables, and how YOU can HELP!!!!

When I was gathering information for my project and blog, this very thought was running through my mind. I, thinking all of the information that ever needed to be dispersed about teen pregnancy had already been done so, and therefore, there probably wasn’t much need for more information to be put out there. After all, teenage pregnancy rarely occurs anymore with the amount of education and awareness we put out there, right?! WRONG!!! According to www.teenpregnancy.org, “The United States has the highest rates of teen pregnancy and births in the western industrialized world. Teen pregnancy costs the United States at least $9 billion annually.” Not only are the teen birth rates the highest, they are on the rise, according to HealthDay News. In the United States, Texas is the state with the highest teenage pregnancy rate, with many others following quickly behind.

What can be done about the rise in teenage pregnancy? We have so many resources out there, but it is important to look at how education is implemented and by whom. It seems pretty clear to me that “abstinence only” education just might not be the “magic bullet” that we have been looking for after all. I propose a revamped comprehensive sex education program that could go in all of the U.S. schools. These programs would not only be set up to be fun for the students, but would get the parents involved as well. After all, who can actually say they learned much sex education from their parents???!! (What a concept that would have been, just in general from the fear of the awkwardness of the situation) Instead we gained a plethora of knowledge from where else but the back of school buses, the locker rooms, etc., etc. I don’t know about you, but the information that I was taught was not delivered by the most properly sex educated of souls, mind you; they had good intentions at heart.

Getting information from friends is important to teens, but in order for the teens to tell their friends correct information we need to start a working relationship between teens, parents, and schools. We can achieve this everyone! The first step is to listen to what teens are saying and encourage them to be a platform to educate their peers. A great website I found was www.stayteen.org, in which teens give teens advice, in a clever witty way. Although the messages are blunt, I have to admit they stick with you.

I hope you enjoy!
Ellen

When it comes to teen pregnancy — why it happens and how to prevent it — teens get tons of advice from adults, but they aren't often asked to offer their own…and Stay Teen wants to change that. We asked teens from all over the country what they thought about sex, relationships, and pregnancy and below are their top 10 answers and opinions.

Thinking "it won't happen to me" is stupid; if you don't protect yourself, it probably will. Sex is serious. Make a plan.

Just because you think "everyone is doing it," doesn't mean they are. Some are, some aren't — and some are lying.

There are a lot of good reasons to say "no, not yet." Protecting your feelings is one of them.

You're in charge of your own life - don't let anyone pressure you into having sex.

You can always say "no" — even if you've said "yes" before.

Carrying a condom is just being smart — it doesn't mean you're pushy or easy.

If you think birth control "ruins the mood," consider what a pregnancy test will do to it.

If you're drunk or high, you can't make good decisions about sex. Don't do something you might not remember or might really regret.

Sex won't make him yours, and a baby won't make him stay.

Not ready to be someone's father? It's simple: Use protection every time or don't have sex.

References:
Website: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-teenmoms_27met.ART.West.Edition1.38302cb.html. Accessed January 29th, 2008.

Website: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_58503.html. Accessed January 29th, 2008.

Website: http://www.stayteen.org/tips/default.html. Accessed January 29th, 2008.

Teen Pregnancy. Here are some things teens are talking about when it comes to teen pregnancy. These are some listed opinions about teen pregnancy and some statistics to consider.

Teens Tell All about... Contraception/Birth Control

• Some teens don't use birth control because they don't think that they will get pregnant or they don't care if they do.
• They might not want their parents to find out what they are doing. If they bought condoms or the pill, there could be a chance of them being caught.
• They may be afraid to go to a doctor to get it. Plus some teens can't drive and if they don't want their parents to find out, then they just won't get it.
• Many teens today really and truthfully do not care about using birth control. I think maybe some of them want to get pregnant on purpose.
• Getting birth control can be expensive and hard to get for many teens. I think there should be free birth control centers all over where teens can pick them up for free without anyone knowing who they are.
• Teens simply don't think before they act and don't look at consequences. This doesn't happen only with sex, but in all aspects of a teen's life.
• Sometimes teens don't use birth control because of the influence of drugs or alcohol. When they are drunk, some teens don't even know what they are doing.
• I think that most pregnancies aren't planned. They just happen, you know. I guess they're just thinking about, at that moment, like, pleasing each other. They aren't thinking about a baby coming.
• I'm on the pill, but I'm really bad at taking it. It's hard to handle. You got to turn the thing and push it and I am not into that. So, sometimes I'll forget to take the pill and I'll go, "Oh, my god. It's been, like, three days!"
• I think condoms and all that stuff should be more readily available. A lot of people won't have a way to get to the health department to get all this free stuff. I think they should be allowed to hand it out at school.
http://www.teenpregnancy.org/resources/teens/voices/contrace.asp

Teens Tell All

• Many teens who have sex either don't use contraception at all or use it inconsistently. Nearly one-third of teen girls used no contraception the last time they had sex.
• Teens are much more likely to have unplanned and unprotected sex when they are using alcohol or drugs. You know drugs and alcohol change your perspective and that they can cause you to make really bad decisions about sex. Using alcohol, cigarettes, and/or illicit drugs significantly increases the likelihood that boys and girls will begin having sexual intercourse before age 16. Teens 15 and older who drink are seven times likelier to have sexual intercourse and twice as likely to have it with four or more partners than non-drinking teens. More than one-half of teens (53%) say the main reason teens do not use protection is because of drinking or using drugs.
• Many teens feel pressure not to use protection. More than one-half of teens (52%) surveyed recently said that one of the main reasons that teens do not use birth control is because their partners don't want to.
• The younger teens are, the less likely they are to use contraception or to use it effectively.
• Teaching teens about contraception does not make them have sex. Research is clear on this point: sex education does not increase sexual activity. In fact, in some cases, teaching teens about contraception seems to delay their sexual activity.

“If you are mature enough to have sex, then you should be mature enough to use protection.”
- Jonathan, Santa Fe, 17

“The way I look at it, birth control has saved my life. Every time I have sex I use it. I'm very careful because I can't imagine having a baby right now. I'm just glad that I learned about birth control in school because not having sex just isn't realistic.
- Tania, Newport News, 16

“We talked about sex and birth control way before we started having sex. We always use two forms of protection every time we have sex just in case one fails. And it does happen.”
- Josh, Pittsburgh, 18

“I have three kids and am 17. I worry about it still because I don't want anymore kids. I make sure I use the protection I need now. I wish I could show teens how hard it is. I don't want to see anyone go through what I have at my age.”
- Jen, Boston, 17
http://www.stayteen.org/avoid/contraception_teens.html

Survey says…

Teens aged 12-17 say their role models for “healthy relationships” are: friends 31% and parents 30%. Friends more than parents. Doesn’t this seem like a problem?? What are parents teaching their kids??1
52% of teens aged 12-17 say the best age to start talking about sex is 13-14. Don’t you think that’s a little young to be a parent??
However…85% of teens aged 12-17 have not felt pressured into romantic relationships. So this means they are making the choice to have sex willingly, which may mean they WANT to have sex!! But do they WANT a baby??
http://www.stayteen.org/relationships/kissandtell1.html

Consequences of not engaging in physical activity as a teenager

Physical activity or lack thereof in teenagers today has steadily decreased over the years. As a result, our nation is facing serious health disparities and crises both now and in the future. There are many health consequences of not engaging in adequate amounts of physical activity. Many of the health disparities can be directly linked to obesity, which is the topic of this post.

According to Megan Rauscher’s article, Regular physical activity helps teens avoid obesity, a study released from John Hopkins University explained that in 1996, when 3,345 adolescent’s body mass was measured via the BMI test, 28% of those adolescents were overweight. The same test was administered to the same adolescents, five years later, and the incidence of overweight teens had nearly doubled to 51%. What is sad is that there is no complexity to the concept of adequate physical activity for teenagers. If an adolescent engages in physical activity for approximately one hour, at least two times a week, they are protected from becoming overweight. As videogames become more prevalent, and the internet continues to revolutionize communication methods and the way we think as human beings, the rate of physical activity in teenagers will continue to decrease. If an adolescent is overweight or obese now, there is a 36% chance of being overweight or obese as a young adult (Rauscher, 2008, 1). According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), obesity costs our society $100 billion dollars annually but is also labeled as one of the easiest diseases to treat.

I will leave you with the health consequences of adolescent obesity. The AACAP lists the risks and consequences of obesity from a physical standpoint: increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, breathing problems, and trouble sleeping. Child and adolescent obesity can also be linked to various emotional problems which include but are not limited to: low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder. If our adolescents today do not engage in adequate amounts of physical activity, we can expect to see a higher prevalence of these health issues as the years progress.

For more information visit the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry:

http://www.aacap.org

References:

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (2001). Obesity in Children and Teens. Accessed online 29 January 2008 from http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/obesity_in_children_and_teens.

Rauscher, Megan. (2008). Regular physical activity helps teens avoid obesity. Accessed online from Reuters Health: http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTON77734220080107

posted by: kim waddell

Exercises for the Elderly-Just Move!!!

Examples of Exercises for the Elderly
Endurance Activities: swimming, bicycling, walking briskly, golf w/o a cart, dancing, etc.
Vigorous Activities: climbing stairs, jogging, brisk bicycling up hills, swimming laps, etc.

Exercises to Improve Strength/Balance

Biceps Curl
Strengthens upper-arm muscles.
1. Sit in armless chair with your back supported by back of chair and keep feet flat on the floor.
2. Hold hand weights straight down at your sides, with palms facing inward.
3. Slowly bend one elbow, lifting weight toward chest and hold for 1 second. (Rotate palm to face shoulder while lifting weight.)
4. Slowly lower arm to starting position. Pause. Repeat with other arm.
5. Alternate arms until you have done 8 to 15 repetitions with each arm. Rest; then do another set of 8 to 15 alternating repetitions.

Knee Flexion
Strengthens muscles in back of thigh. Use ankle weights, if you are ready.
1. Stand straight holding onto a table or chair for balance and slowly bend knee as far as possible. Don’t move your upper leg at all; bend your knee only.
2. Hold position for 1 second. Slowly lower foot all the way back down. Pause.
3. Repeat with other leg. Alternate legs until you have done 8 to 15 repetitions with each leg. Rest; then do another set of 8 to 15 alternating repetitions.

Hip Flexion
1. Stand straight to the side or behind a chair or table, holding on for balance.
2. Slowly bend one knee toward chest, without bending waist or hips.
3. Hold position for 1 second.
4. Slowly lower leg all the way down. Pause. Repeat with other leg. Alternate legs until you have done 8 to 15 repetitions with each leg. Rest; then do another set of 8 to 15 alternating repetitions.

Side Leg Raise
Strengthens muscles at sides of hips and thighs. Use ankle weights, if you are ready.
1. Stand straight, directly behind table or chair, feet slightly apart.
2. Hold onto a table or chair for balance.
3. Slowly lift one leg 6-12 inches out to side. Keep your back and both legs straight. Don’t point your toes outward; keep them facing forward.
4. Hold position for 1 second. Slowly lower leg. Pause. Repeat with other leg.
5. Alternate legs until you have done 8 to 15 repetitions with each leg. Rest; then do another set of 8 to 15 alternating repetitions.

Stretching Exercises
Alternative Hamstrings Stretch
Stretches muscles in the back of the thigh.
1. Stand behind chair, holding the back of it with both hands.
2. Bend forward from the hips (not waist), keeping back and shoulders straight at all times.
3. When upper body is parallel to floor, hold position for 10 to 30 seconds. You should feel a stretch in the backs of your thighs.
4. Repeat 3 to 5 times.
Ankles
Stretches front ankle muscles.
1. Remove your shoes. Sit toward the front edge of a chair and
lean back, using pillows to support your back.
2. Stretch legs out in front of you.
3. With your heels still on the floor, bend ankles to point feet toward you. Bend ankles to point feet away from you.
4. If you don’t feel the stretch, repeat with your feet slightly off the floor. Hold the position for 1 second. Repeat 3 to 5 times.

Triceps Stretch
Stretches muscles in back of upper arm.
1. Hold one end of a towel in right hand.
2. Raise and bend right arm to drape towel down back. Keep your right arm in this position, and continue holding onto the towel.
3. Reach behind your lower back and grasp bottom end of towel with left hand.
4. Climb left hand progressively higher up towel, which also pulls your right arm down. Continue until your hands touch, or as close to that as you can comfortably go. Reverse positions. Repeat each position 3 to 5 times.

Shoulder Rotation
Stretches shoulder muscles.
1. Lie flat on floor, pillow under head, legs straight. If your
back bothers you, place a rolled towel under your knees.
2. Stretch arms straight out to side. Your shoulders and upper arms will remain flat on the floor throughout this exercise.
3. Bend elbows so that your hands are pointing toward the ceiling. Let your arms slowly roll backwards from the elbow. Stop when you feel a stretch or slight discomfort, and stop immediately if you feel a pinching sensation or a sharp pain.
4. Hold position for 10 to 30 seconds.
5. Slowly raise your arms, still bent at the elbow, to point toward the ceiling again. Then let your arms slowly roll forward, remaining bent at the elbow, to point toward your hips. Stop when you feel a stretch or slight discomfort. Hold position for 10 to 30 seconds.
6. Alternate pointing above head, then toward ceiling, then toward hips. Begin and end with pointing-above-head position. Repeat 3 to 5 times.

Single Hip Rotation
Stretches muscles of pelvis and inner thigh. Don’t do this exercise if you have had a hip replacement, unless your surgeon approves.
1. Lie on your back on floor, knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
2. Keep shoulders on floor throughout exercise.
3. Lower one knee slowly to side, keeping the other leg and your pelvis in place.
4. Hold position for 10 to 30 seconds. Bring knee back up slowly. Repeat with other knee. Repeat 3 to 5 times on each side.

Ø Citation for material discussed:
Exercise: a guide from the national institute on aging. NIH Publication Number 01-4258. Reprinted April 2004 http://www.niapublications.org/exercisebook/ExerciseGuideComplete.pdf

posted by Ashley Hawkins

Living With Stress

The accumulation of anxiety from daily demands and expectations in American society has created a culture deeply rooted in stress. With rising expectations for both women and men to spend time with their family, be active in the workforce, and be a presence in their community, it’s no wonder so many people feel overwhelmed by mere day-to-day activities. These stressors are cumulative, so the more life changes or daily hassles one takes on, the more intense the symptoms of stress become. Even though stress is commonplace among Americans and many believe they have learned to live with it, it is still a serious problem. It has a negative effect on your life and the lives of those around you. The good news is, you don’t just have to live with it.

Major life changes have the biggest effect on stress levels. The top ten stressful life events are as follows:
1. Spouse’s death
2. Divorce
3. Marriage separation
4. Jail term
5. Death of a close relative
6. Personal injury or illness
7. Marriage
8. Fired at work
9. Marriage reconciliation
10. Retirement

Other common stressful life events include pregnancy, graduation, change in financial state, change in living conditions, and job changes. Yet, even without a major life change occurring in one’s life, stress manages to build up. Anyone with a job can vouch for the fact that it creates both an internal and external environment conducive to stress. Externally, there are deadlines, projects, managerial pressure, pressure from your peers, and seemingly endless work. Internally, you must deal with high expectations, self-criticism, uncertainty and worry, and possibly a case of perfectionism. Other internal causes of stress include a pessimistic attitude, unrealistic expectations or beliefs, low self-esteem, excessive or unexpressed anger, and a lack of assertiveness. Job stress alone costs U.S. businesses over $300 billion a year in excess absenteeism, employee turnover, diminished productivity, medical, legal and insurance expenses, and Worker’s Compensation payments.

Here is a simple quiz to take to determine the amount of stress your job creates in your life:

HOW MUCH JOB STRESS DO YOU HAVE?
ENTER A NUMBER FROM THE SLIDING SCALE BELOW THAT BEST DESCRIBES YOU

STRONGLY DISAGREE -- AGREE SOMEWHAT -- STRONGLY AGREE
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

I can't honestly say what I really think or get things off my chest at work.
__________
My job has a lot of responsibility, but I don't have very much authority.
__________
I could usually do a much better job if I were given more time.
__________
I seldom receive adequate acknowledgment or appreciation when my work is really good.
__________
In general, I am not particularly proud or satisfied with my job.
__________
I have the impression that I am repeatedly picked on or discriminated against at work.
__________
My workplace environment is not very pleasant or particularly safe.
__________
My job often interferes with my family and social obligations or personal needs.
__________
I tend to have frequent arguments with superiors, coworkers or customers.
__________
Most of the time I feel that I have very little control over my life at work.
__________

Add up the replies to each question for your TOTAL JOB STRESS SCORE __________

If you score between 10-30, you handle stress on your job well; between 40-60, moderately well; 70-100, you’re encountering problems that need to be addressed and resolved. Problems in the workplace can range from how work and tasks are designed and management style to communication issues, interpersonal issues, and discrimination. Addressing and resolving problems in the work place is a major step in the right direction to reducing your overall daily stress levels.

Stress is an unavoidable fact of life, a sort of universal ailment that affects people of every age, race, sex, class, and religious institution. The good news is that there are innumerable ways to handle personal stress. The only thing you have to do is find what works the best with your lifestyle and personality. The key to stress reduction is preventing it through adequate sleep, a proper diet, time management, and taking time out of your daily routine to relax. You must also take the time to identify all major sources of stress and find ways to reduce their impact or avoid them all together. Although it may seem tempting to turn to short-term solutions such as tobacco, drugs, or alcohol, the long term effects will far outweigh the short-term benefits and increased stress is sure to be a consequence.

Here is a non-comprehensive list of ideas to help reduce stress on a daily basis. Even taking thirty minutes out of your daily routine to dedicate to your sanity will be enough to generate obvious positive results.

Progressive muscular relaxation
Exercise
Deep breathing
Visual imagery
Meditation
Prayer
Yoga and Tai Chi
Acupuncture
Acupressure
Listening to music
Hobbies
Volunteering
Journaling
Laughter
Playing with pets
Taking short breaks
Shopping
Aromatherapy
Reading
Taking a bath

Missouri Coalition for Quality Care: Violations and Fines- Sheryl Adams

Missouri Coalition for Quality Care: Violations and Fines
The Missouri Coalition for Quality Care (MCQC) is an organization devoted to providing safety and services to the elderly and disabled living in long-term care facilities. MCQC has a membership of over 700, which consists mainly of Missourians. People from other states have joined this organization because of their interest and concern in advocating for nursing home residents and ensuring their best quality of care and quality of life. Visit mcqc.com for more information.
The following information includes the Classes of Violations nursing homes may commit and descriptions of federal fines that may be imposed, respectively.
CLASS DEFINITIONS
Class I
A violation which presents either an imminent danger to the health, safety or welfare of any resident or a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm would result. This is the most severe classification of State deficiencies. If an inspection results in any Class I violations, inspectors will revisit the facility within 20 days.
Class II
A violation which has a direct or immediate relationship to the health, safety or welfare of any resident, but which does not create any imminent danger. This is the intermediate classification of State deficiencies. If an inspection results in any Class II violations, but no Class I violation, inspectors will revisit the facility between 40 and 90 days.
Class III
A violation which has an indirect or a potential impact on the health, safety or welfare of any resident. This is the least severe classification of State deficiencies. If an inspection results in less than twenty Class III violations and no Class II or Class I violations, the facility is considered to be in substantial compliance and no revisits are required. These violations are not required to be corrected; therefore a correction date may not be displayed on the website. If an inspection results in twenty or more Class III violations and no Class II or Class I violations, inspectors will revisit the facility within 120 days.
Class I/II
This violation may be cited as a Class I or a Class II. It will be cited at the lower classification, Class II, unless there is sufficient evidence to support the more severe classification of Class I.
Class II/III
This violation may be cited as a Class II or a Class III. It will be cited at the lower classification, Class III, unless there is sufficient evidence to support the more severe classification of Class II.

FEDERAL FINES
The following is information related to fines that were imposed on Missouri Nursing Homes for violation of Federal health care standards. This information was obtained from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
Please note that the information provided covers Federal fiscal years 2005, 2006 and a portion of Federal fiscal year 2007. Unlike state fiscal years which run from July 1 through June 30, Federal fiscal years run from October 1 through September 30. Therefore, Federal fiscal year 2005 starts on October 1, 2004 and ends September 30, 2005. Federal fiscal year 2006 starts on October 1, 2005 and ends September 30, 2006. However, the information provided for Federal fiscal year 2007 starts October 1, 2006 and ends April 30, 2007, the date MCQC requested the information on Federal fines. Fiscal year 2007 will updated in October 2007.
Also please note that Federal code numbers are listed under the caption “Deficient Practices.” More information regarding the specific nature of the codes can be obtained by going to the website www.cms.hhs.gov but it is difficult to navigate.
The reader can look up the actual nursing home violations that caused the Federal fine in the nursing home violation section of the MCQC website, www.mcqc.com . Federal fines are imposed by recommendation of the state of Missouri upon the issuance of a notice of noncompliance. It needs to be mentioned that some Federal fines were imposed for violations that occurred prior to the implementation of the MCQC website section on nursing home violations and therefore may not be listed. The start date for the MCQC section is January 1, 2005. If you need help, contact us at info@mcqc.com.

Teenagers Drinking and Driving

Picture this: a mother, father, and friends are weeping; community members shake their heads for the tragedy. Another young adult driver’s life has been taken by impaired driving. Traffic accidents continue to be the leading cause of death in the United States for young people and alcohol consumption before driving is a deadly contributor to these crashes. In a 2005 national survey of young people in the US conducted by the CDC, 1 in 10 respondents reported having driven after drinking within the last month. The consequences of teen drinking and driving are numerous and can include death and physical injury, participating in other risky behaviors, and financial loss and community loss.
According to Hingson (2003), alcohol was involved in 50% of fatal crashes and 20% of crashes resulting in serious injury. In 2005, 23% of drivers aged 15-20 years old who died in motor vehicle crashes (MVC’s) had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or above (CDC, 2008); in the majority of US states, this is above the legal limit to be driving. At a BAC of 0.08% the driver’s performance significantly decreases in areas such as glare recovery, complex visual tracking, parking, steering and braking. Even at as low a BAC as 0.02%, the driver experiences slowed reaction time and decision making processes. Each 0.02% increase in BAC doubles one’s likelihood of being in a fatal crash; that likelihood is even higher for drivers under the age of 21.
Added to the inherent danger of drinking and driving, one must consider other risky behaviors young people engage in while under the influence of alcohol. Teen drivers are much less likely to wear their seatbelts after having consumed alcohol, and are much more likely to speed. In fact, the CDC reports that in 2005, 74% of teen drivers killed in MVC’s were unrestrained and 38% were speeding.
In addition to the threats mentioned above, one could experience financial loss. For all ages, the cost of alcohol related crashes in the US in 2005 was $51 billion (CDC, 2008). If a young driver, at the very least, gets in a fender bender as a result of drinking and driving, he will have repair costs to his vehicle. At the severe end of the spectrum, a driver might be responsible for his vehicle repair costs, the vehicle repair costs of another party, and medical bills for both parties. Legal repercussions could include a fine (if not a jail sentence), and one’s insurance rates are raised for crashes.
Finally, it must be remembered that teen drinking and driving is a community problem too. Teens that make the decision to drive after drinking are members of the community. Poor decisions will affect the community negatively. As such, the community must encourage teens to make safe decisions, such as choosing to stay in one place if they choose to consume alcohol. We must all help convince teens that the costs of drinking and driving are too heavy to bear.

Alternatives to Partying

On a Friday night you and your friends are trying to find something to do and someone from your school tells you that there is a party going on out at one of your friend’s house. What do you do: take a chance at the party and maybe end up getting busted or worse get in a car wreck that could change your life forever? Well, if you do not want to take those chances here are just a few suggestions for those of you who would rather be safe than sorry.

If you just want to have a relaxing night at home with some friends then hop right over to anyone of the video stores located in your town or near your town and rent some movies. Maybe you’re into video games? Well most rental places care a variety of video games. Sit around and play Halo on the Xbox or Mario Galaxy on the Wii. Order a couple of pizzas and catch up on the latest gossip from school.

§ If you and your friends want to go out and enjoy the evening then you have several options that are available to the group.

o Dinner and a movie: In Clay County there are plenty of options for food and movie theatres. If you want a quick meal there are plenty of fast food restaurants: McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, etc. If you want to sit down and eat you can always go to Zona Rosa or down to the plaza and find any great restaurant to eat at. Zona Rosa and the Plaza have great movie theatres and if you want to drive just a little further there is a great theatre out by the Kansas Speed Way. Liberty, Kearney, and Gladstone all have their own movie theatres. There is no shortage of movie entertainment

o Dinner and some shopping: Zona, the Plaza, and The Legends out by the Speedway are all great places to grab some grub and walk around and shop. They have a huge variety of stores and they are all out door walking malls.

o Bowling: Gladstone itself has couple bowling alleys and they both have a weekend tradition of galactic bowling. So grab that white tee and go dance around in the black lights and bowl some strikes with your friends.

o Skating: There are three skating rinks in Clay County: Liberty, Excelsior Springs, and in Kansas City. They all offer extended hours on the weekend until 10:30 on Friday’s and 9:30 on Saturday.

§ During the summer there are many more options open to kids around the Clay County area.

o Worlds of Fun: You can spend all day riding the crazy rides and watching the great shows at this great amusement park for family and friends.

o Oceans of Fun: You can spend all day relaxing by the pools, sliding down the vast number of water slides, floating on the lazy river, or playing in the wave pool.

o Royals & Chiefs Games: During the hot summer there’s nothing like hanging out at the Royals games with some friends and when the fall comes around enjoy some fun with the Chiefs.

o T-Bones Games: If you rather taken in some minor league action head out to the T-Bones ball park out by the race track. They have plenty of fun and games for all ages.

o Kemper Arena: Offers a variety of concerts and shows all throughout the summer and then in the fall you can go and visit the American Royal out at Kemper.

o Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre: Offers variety of different concerts and genres to choose from throughout the spring and summer.

Misconceptions About Water Fluoridation

The fluoridation of city water supplies has been named one of the ten great public health achievements in the 20th century according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If water fluoridation is so momentous, why does only 67% of the United States population have access to fluoridated water (CDC)? In order to explain this, it is important to explore the many misconceptions about fluoridation.

Misconception #1: Water fluoridation is merely the government’s way to medicate citizens without their permission or knowledge.

Water fluoridation is actually a safe, effective, and inexpensive way to protect the teeth of all residents in a community. Unlike many medical treatments or preventive methods, everyone (men, women, children and adults alike) will have access to the protective benefits that fluoride has to offer, with no regard to socio-economic status. Fluoridated water has been proven to protect teeth from decay or even reverse the decay process.

Misconception #2: Water fluoridation is too expensive and has little cost benefit.

Water fluoridation has been calculated by the CDC to save up to $38 in dental treatment for every $1 invested in fluoridation. Furthermore, a study completed by the CDC in 2000 states that average per person savings ranged from $15.95 in very small communities to $18.62 in large communities. It was shown that even in worst case scenarios with high levels of treatment expenses, fluoridation was still cost-effective. In fact, it is estimated that fluoridation costs merely $0.50 per person in communities >20,000 and only $3 per person in communities <5,000. Even in the smallest communities, this amounts to less than a penny a day per person, or less than a nickel a day for an average family of four!

Misconception #3: Water fluoridation causes dental fluorosis, which actually weakens the teeth.

It has been shown that communities with highly naturally fluoridated water have seen high numbers of children with dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis only occurs during tooth formation and becomes apparent when teeth come in. It can range from symmetrical whitish areas on the teeth (very mild) to brownish discoloration with pitting of the enamel (very severe). Though dental fluorosis certainly isn’t cosmetically pleasing, it has been shown that this does not affect the teeth strength, function, or promote adverse dental health effects. Mild cases of dental fluorosis have typically been seen in communities with more than 1ppm of fluoride in the water. Typical levels in fluoridated water range from 0.7 – 1.2ppm.

Misconception #4: Water fluoridation can cause cancer, decreased IQ, decreased bone strength, impaired immune system, impair thyroid function and many other ailments.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization have not found any reason to believe that water fluoridation causes cancer, decreased IQ, decreased bone strength, impaired immune system, or impaired thyroid function. To the contrary, some studies have shown that fluoridation actually increases bone strength, though more studies are required to make a full statement regarding fluoride’s impact on bone density. Furthermore, many studies performed on mice and human subjects have shown no significant difference in cancer incidence between those with access to fluoridated water and those without.


It is quite a rare occurrence to find a public health initiative that is not only accessible by all people, but also inexpensive and cost-effective. Water fluoridation is needed in communities around the United States to protect the dental health of all people.

For more information regarding water fluoridation, please visit these websites:
www.cdc.gov
www.who.int

References:

(2007). Water Fluoridation. Retrieved January 16, 2008, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov.

Whitney Johnson

Myths and Misconceptions about Type II Diabetes

Myth #1: Diabetics cannot eat sugar
This is not true! Diabetics need to limit their intake of sweets like candy and cookies, but they do not need to refrain from eating them completely. The sugars in these foods are carbohydrates and diabetics do need to be concerned about the amount of carbohydrates that they are consuming. Carbohydrates which are found in fruits, starchy vegetables, dairy products and grains are responsible for altering blood glucose. A carbohydrate “choice” is 15 grams of carbohydrates. It is recommended that a diabetic choose three to four carbohydrate choices per meal. Reading food labels can help the diabetic to learn how many carbohydrates are in the foods that they eat. The following foods each count as one carbohydrate choice (15g): 2 Oreo cookies, ½ cup of ice cream or half of a 2 inch Snickers bar. Don’t feel that you need to avoid eating sugary snacks, just remember that moderation is key.

Myth #2: Diabetes is inherited
While diabetes does commonly run through families, it does not mean that because your parents or grandparents were diabetics, that you will become one too. There are many factors that contribute to whether or not a person will develop diabetes in their lifetime. Genetics is one of these factors, but lifestyle is as well. Eating a healthful diet and exercising regularly can reduce the risk of developing diabetes. Being overweight is a risk factor for diabetes, so eating well and exercising are essential. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection, if you are overweight, losing 5-7% of your body weight can reduce your risk of developing type II diabetes. That means that a 200 pound person can reduce their risk by losing 10 pounds through altering their diet and exercising.

Myth # 3: All diabetics have to use insulin
This may be true for some individuals, but not every diabetic will have to start using insulin. Changing your diet and exercising to lose some weight may prevent some individuals from needing insulin. Having excess body weight makes it harder for the body to utilize insulin, so losing some weight can actually help your body better use the insulin that it has. This may keep you from needing to inject synthetic insulin. However, it is important to consult with your doctor or a registered dietician because they can help you plan a diet and exercise plan that will work best for you.

Myth # 4: Fruit is a healthy food, so I can eat as much of it as I want.
Yes, it is true that fruit is a very healthy food and is good for you, but fruit also contains sugar so diabetics need to be aware of how much fruit they are consuming. One serving of fruit should contain 15 grams of carbohydrates. Some fruits contain more sugars than others. Limiting a fruit serving to 15 grams of carbohydrates will help to regulate your blood sugar. The following fruits are each considered as one serving: ½ of a medium banana, ½ cup of chopped mango, 1 ¼ cups of sliced watermelon.

Myth # 5: Because I am diabetic, I will have to stop eating my favorite foods and start eating diabetic foods.
Just because you are a diabetic does not mean that you can’t continue to eat your favorite foods. It is also not necessary to purchase special diabetic foods. You can continue to eat your favorite foods, but watch your portion sizes, eat two Oreos instead of half a bag. Make smarter food choices: choose fresh sliced fruit instead of sugary fruit juice. Change the way that your favorite foods are prepared, try baking instead of frying or substitute artificial sweeteners for sugar in your favorite recipes. Remember that making a few changes to the way you are eating can result in better health. Working with a dietitian can help you to adopt a diet that is low in saturated fats, moderate in salt and sugar, and rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables.


References:

American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Myths. American Diabetes Association. Accessed on 30 January 2008: http://www.diabetes.org.
Barnes Jewish Hospital. Knowing the Facts. Barnes Jewish Hospital Accessed on: 30 January, 2008: http://www.barnesjewish.org
CDC. (3 Jan 2008). Health Myths: Get the Facts. Centers for Disease Control and Precention Accessed on 30 January 2008: http://www.cdc.gov.
Cleveland Clinic, The. Carbohydrates and Diabetes. The Cleveland Clinic Health Information Center. Accessed on 30 January 2008: http://www.clevelandclinic.org .
Collazo-Clavell, M. (3 Oct 2007). Diabetes Diet: Should I Avoid Sweet Fruits? The Mayo Clinic. Accessed on 30 January 2008: http://www.mayoclinic.com.
Hedstrom, N; Pierson, P; Henner, S; Paul, C; Hale, L. (20 Feb 2007). Paying Attention to Carbohydrate. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Accessed on 30 January 2008: http://umext.main.edu.
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. (Aug 2006). Insulin Resistance and Pre-Diabetes. National Institutes of Health. Accessed on 30 January 2008: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov.
WebMD. Diabetes Health Center: 10 Myths about Diabetes. WebMD. Accessed on 30 January 2008: http://diabetes.webmd.com.

Missouri Coalition for Quality Care

The Missouri Coalition for Quality Care (MCQC) is an organization working for the rights and protection of the elderly and the disabled. It offers many resources for people who care about someone living in a nursing home – or someone receiving in-home care – that feel frustrated or confused about long term care services. Founded in 1987, MCQC now has a membership of over 700. Although the majority of the coalition members are Missourians, a portion of the members are from other states. They joined MCQC because of their concerns and interests in improving the quality of care and life for nursing home residents and recipients of in-home health care services.

MCQC maintains an informative website full of resources regarding long-term care issues. One particularly important part of their website is the page on “Elder Abuse and Neglect Hotline Calls.” The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) is required by law to maintain an Elder Abuse and Neglect Hotline, which can be reached toll-free at 1-800-392-0210. Any member of the general public can use this hotline. Anyone who has witnessed or suspects the abuse or neglect of an elderly or disabled individual is asked to report the incident to the State by using this hotline number. MDHSS employees will personally respond to the phone calls and are required to gather as much information about the abuse or neglect as possible from the caller. They will ask for the caller’s name; however, the choice to remain anonymous is acceptable. Phone calls are then evaluated and prioritized based upon their perceived severity. It is because of this hotline that many of the suspected abuse incidents in the state of Missouri have been investigated and resolved.

Missouri Coalition for Quality Care needs as many members as possible to bring about change. Click here to visit the “Become a Member” page. There is a membership form to complete, available at the website, and there is also a lifetime membership fee. For joining MCQC, you will receive a membership card, a letter welcoming you as a member, the most recent MCQC newsletter and all future newsletters, the MCQC brochure, information on issues concerning eldercare and the disabled, and you will also be part of an important organization working for the rights and protection of the disabled and elderly.

* All of MCQC’s resources are available at no charge on their website.