Healthy Habits

Food choices are influenced by many factors, personal likes, family influences, peer influences and cultural influences. Although the main purpose of food is to nourish the body, food means far more than that to many people, especially Americans. It can symbolize much of whom and what we are.


Knox County, a small Northeast Missouri community, is a prime example of a unhealthy population. Knox County has a population of 4, 131 residents (QuickFacts Knox co. census, 2011). The 2007 statistics showed 38% of Knox County residents were overweight and 30% were obese. When surveyed about their overall health problems, 24% of residents in Knox County believed they had fair or poor health status. Twenty one percent of Knox County residents have hypertension and 24% high cholesterol. As if obesity, hypertension and high cholesterol was not already negatively affecting their health, 22% smoke cigarettes. The residents of Knox County need to seek care for these health problems, however; 25% of the residents are without health care coverage (Health & preventative practices for Knox county adults, 2007). Better dietary choices along with an increase in physical activity would improve the health status of Knox County residents tremendously.

About half of the population in Knox County is in the workforce, a total of 1,982 residents (ACS profile report, 2009). Because half of the population is employed, stress of the residents work and personal lives can get in the way of healthy living. Stress related eating is an unhealthy coping strategy brought on by depression or anxiety (HealthTeacher). Diverting oneself with a walk in the park or office rather than a bag of greasy potato chips might prevent emotional eating. When the need to eat happens, eat something healthy. Lack of time management is also a factor that prevents people from nutritious eating. Parents have to work, pick up kids and drive to and from practice. They use the excuse “I went through the drive through because I did not have time to make anything today”. Suggestions for avoiding the fast food restaurants are shopping for groceries as a family, selecting foods low in fat and sugar, planning meals and snacks before leaving home and attempt to eat around the dinner table as a family. It is crucial for people know how to fit proper nutrition into their stressful and busy lives (HealthTeacher).

Unhealthy nutrition habits, paired with physical inactivity, have become a major reason of health problems not only in Knox County, but also in the United States. Poor eating behaviors and physical inactivity contribute to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, and certain cancers. These health problems can result in an energy imbalance (more calories are eaten than are burned off in physical activity) has become the most important factor contributing to the increase in overweight and obesity in this country (MyPlate.gov).

Fruits and vegetables, as a part of a healthy diet, are vital for optimal child growth, weight management and chronic disease prevention (National Action Guide). The national Healthy People 2010 fruit and vegetable objective reported that only 32% of Americans are eating the recommended dose of fruits and vegetables. An astounding 8% of Missourians are eating both fruits and vegetables (State Indicator Report). According to the CDC, supporting increased fruits and vegetables access, availability, and reduced price are key strategies to help increase fruits and vegetable consumption and thus improve nutrition.

Mayo clinic states that

Although most Americans get too many calories, they don't get enough health-enhancing and disease-preventing nutrients. To address this problem, energy-dense foods — especially foods high in SoFAS — should be replaced with lower calorie, nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products.

Calories are burned in the three ways: BMR, Physical Activity and Thermic Effect (Physical activity and health: adults, 1999). The metabolic rate that elevates while exercising continues to function at a higher level for an additional two hours once finished, thus resulting in extra burned calories, therefore one of the many benefits of exercise (HealthTeacher.com). Combined with adequate daily physical activity, following a nutritious diet that does not provide excess calories and follows the 2010 Dietary Guidelines should improve the health of most individuals (Mayo Clinic).

Adolescents are easily influenced by their peers and may influence each others food choices. Parents need to educate their children that not everyone is built the same way. People in general metabolize food at a different rate. A school lunch consisting of french fries, cheeseburger, cookie and large soda may make a teenager gain a pound, yet another teenager same age gender is not affected. The USDA recommends that children and adults engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity everyday in order to maintain average body weight. Children of obese parents have a 25-30% chance of becoming obese themselves, primarily due to poor eating habits rather than genetics (CDC). The USDA also recommends that overweight children increase their physical activity and consume fewer calories while under the care of a physician (MyPlate.gov).

There are many benefits to living a healthy lifestyle. The Knox County Community Center will promote, educate and enable its members embrace a healthy and active lifestyle. The Knox County Community Center is a place where health, education and community meet.

Works Cited

"Fruits & Veggies Matter: Health Professionals: Research
CDC." Fruits & Veggies Matter: Home: Eat a Colorful Variety of Fruits and Vegetables Every Day for Better Health
CDC. CDC and DHHS, 2009. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. .

2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. (2009, July). Retrieved September 21, 2011, from CDC Fact Sheet for Health Professionals on Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnps/physical/prf/PA_Fact_Sheet_Adults.pdf

County Level Estimates of Leisure-Time Physical Inactivity. (2008). Retrieved September 21, 2011, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/DDT_STRS2/CountyPrevalenceData.aspx?mode=PHY

Health & Preventative Practices for Knox-Scotland-Clark County Adults. (2007). Retrieved September 15, 2011, from Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services: http://health.mo.gov/data/mica/CLS_Compare/header.php?cnty=103&profile_type=1 chkBox=C

"HealthTeacher :: Barriers to Making Healthy Food Choices." HealthTeacher :: Welcome. HealthTeacher, July 2011. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. .

Mayo Clinic Staff. "New Dietary Guidelines: How to Make Smart Choices." Mayo Clinic: Health Information. Mayo Clinic, 2 Feb. 2011. Web. 10 Nov. 2011. .

Physical Activity and Health Adults. (1999). Retrieved September 21, 2011, from Centers for Disease Contro QuickFacts Knox Co. Census. (2011, June 2). Retrieved September 15, 2011, from U.S. Census Bureau: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/29/29103.html

State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables. Rep. CDC, 2009. Web. 23 Oct. 2011. .

"Tips and Resources." USDA's MyPlate - Home Page. United States Department of Agriculture, 30 Sept. 2011. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. .

Work and Jobs in Knox County, Missouri. (2010). Retrieved October 12, 2011, from City-Data : http://www.city-data.com/work/work-Knox-City-Missouri.htmll and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/adults.htm