How Much Do You Know

How Much Do You Know

About Childhood Obesity

Did you know nearly 1 out of 3 children in the United States are obese or overweight before their 5th birthday? With the prevalence of obesity steadily climbing the charts one can only question why obesity would be increasing so quickly. The answer to this is that there are, “many factors usually working in combinations,” (Mayo Clinic). Childhood obesity child can lead to a number of problems not only during childhood but have later in adulthood as well.

There are many health concerns with being overweight in general. However, concerning obese children it is important to understand that their weight is reducing the quality and even length of their lives already at such a young age. Obese children run the risk of developing diabetes type II, cardiovascular issues, and sleep apnea to name a few physical illnesses. According to the CDC, in a population based sample of 5-17 year olds 70% of obese youth showed risk factors for cardiovascular disease. But we also have to think about the, psychological damage they could face such as, “stigmatization and poor self-esteem,” (cdc.gov, Aug 2015). These children also run the risk of becoming obese as adults. This increases their risk for a number of cancers, stroke, and joint problems.

There are obvious causes of childhood obesity such as the child’s diet and exercise routine but there are also factors people don’t take into consideration like socioeconomic status and school factors. When we think about obesity from a socioeconomic standpoint we think in terms of limited means and access to resources for not only nutritional food but also safe places and equipment to use. This stands true for the school as well. In a low socioeconomic area the school will have less money to afford up to date PE or playground equipment. There are also other ways schools are enabling the childhood obesity rate by their participation in reducing physical education requirements and taking away recess.

Some solutions to this could begin with lifestyle changes within the family such as healthy eating and physical activity. This is the steeple of change because children and adolescents are influenced by their families, communities, schools, and care settings. Schools play a particularly critical role by establishing a safe and supportive environment with policies and practices that support healthy behaviors. Schools also provide opportunities for students to learn about and practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors.

There are plenty of ways to get involved and help lower the prevalence of childhood obesity. Such as volunteering your time as a mentor for programs like Jump Rope for Heart, Let’s Move, and S.T.E.P.S.

For More Information visit these websites:

Center for Disease Control

Mayo Clinic

Obesity Society

References:

Prevention/Wellness Programs. (2008). Retrieved September 20, 2015.

http://www.americanobesity.org/preventionPrograms.htm

"Obesity Prevention." Center for Disease Control. Center for Disease Control, 27 Aug. 2015. Web. 18 Sept. 2015. http://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/obesity/facts.htm

Childhood Obesity. (2015, April 10). Retrieved September 18, 2015. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-obesity/basics/risk-factors/con-20027428

Serdula, M., Ivery, D., Coates, R., Freedman, D., Williamson, D., & Byers, T. (n.d.). Do Obese Children Become Obese Adults? A Review of the Literature. Preventive Medicine, 167-177.

Do you have a Tinder? If you don’t, I’m sure one of your friends does! According to the apple store, “ Tinder is a fun way to connect with new and interesting people around you. Swipe right to Like or left to Pass on the people Tinder recommends. If someone likes you back, it’s a match! Chat with your matches and get to know them inside of Tinder.” I didn’t jump on board with the whole idea of Tinder right away but, I can’t lie I did create one.

So, let’s be honest, first impressions are everything and looks are what attracts us to people in the first place. That’s exactly what Tinder and other similar dating apps do for you. They take away the pain of debating if the guy you saw yesterday on campus is also interested in getting to know you. Tinder is extremely user friendly and easy to use! The person’s profile tells you their age, your common friends, as well as some of their interest, what the app doesn’t tell you however is their sexual history. Mobile dating apps such as Tinder and Grindr are changing how we interact, making casual sex as easy as ordering a pizza! Your next hook-up could easily be a few feet away…..along with your next STI! Many STIs that public health had worked hard to lower rates are now on the rise. Syphilis is just one of these STIs that have been increasing in the past couple years.

Syphilis is a highly contagious, yet curable, bacterial disease that if left untreated can cause significant complications in health. The disease is caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum  and is transmitted through direct sexual contact, venereal syphilis, or from an infected mother to a developing fetus,congenital syphilis (French).  The STI, which infects an estimated 10-12 million new people each year is divided into four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and late syphilis.  The rate of primary and secondary syphilis decreased during the 1990’s and hit an all time low since 1941, the start of reporting (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). Although the rate of primary and secondary syphilis dramatically declined from 1990- 2000, the rate started an upward trend in 2001 (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).

Just a previously stated, syphilis is transmitted through direct sexual contact or from an infected mother to an unborn child (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).  As a result of transmission through direct contact with the sore, condoms are only useful in prevention of transmission if the sore is covered by the condom. Sores commonly occur on external genitals, lips, and in the mouth; consequently condom use is not an effective barrier. The risk of becoming infected increases with increasing sexual partners, 30- 60% of sexual contacts with early syphilis will become infected (French). The increasing rate of primary and secondary syphilis is unproportionally high among men who have sex with men (MSM) with an estimate of 64% cases attributed to MSM (Heffelfinger).

    The only way to fully prevent not only syphilis but, also other sexually transmitted infections (STI) is to abstain from sexual contact including but not limited to vaginal, anal, and oral sex (Mayo Clinic). Although abstaining from sexual contact is a sure way to avoid STIs, it is not always practical. Other more practical ways to lower the risk of becoming infected with syphilis are: having mutually monogamous sex with an uninfected person, encouraging partners to get tested, using a latex condom, and avoiding excessive drinking and recreational drugs that may lead to risky behaviors (Mayo Clinic).    

Citations

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The national plan to eliminate syphilis from the

United States. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2006.

Mayo Clinic. (2014, January 2). Prevention: Syphilis. Retrieved September 27, 2015.

French, P. (2007). syphilis. BMJ: British Medical Journal,334(7585), 143-147.

doi:10.1136/bmj.39085.518148.BE

Heffelfinger JD, Swint EB, Berman SM, Weinstock HS. Trends in primary and secondary

syphilis among men who have sex with men in the United States. Am J Public Health.

2007;97:1076-83.

Holistic Student Wellness in Medical and Dental School

You’ve been accepted to graduate school and are ready to embark on your new adventure towards professionalism. You quickly fall into the swing of things and begin studying and learning an immense amount of information in a short amount of time. After a month of built-up stress, lack of sleep, and constant studying you decide you may not actually be cut out for this after-all. Well, I’m here to tell you that you are wrong and you do have what it takes you’re just not “balancing your equation.”

You survived years of chemistry, biology, and physics and were taught over and over again that for problems to work, everything must be “balanced;” balanced molecules, balanced units, you name it! Your life as a pre-professional student shouldn’t be any different. While your main goal is to get good grades and pass your exams, you can’t forget you must take care of yourself first. As future physicians and dentists you will be reminding your patients and clients that their bodies work as a whole, much like their own vehicles. If one part is out of whack, it can throw the whole system off. Now, why would you so passionately convey this message to your patients, yet not practice it yourself? You must also strive for health in all areas of wellness to learn and function optimally.

You can do this by focusing on seven areas of wellness:

Emotional

Constant studying and worrying about getting good grades can cause students to become stressed. This in turn takes a negative effect on your emotional health (Schuster, 2004). It’s important to de-stress often and take breaks. This will help you feel “normal” again and give you some time to reboot your emotions. Some activities you can do to give yourself an emotional break are reading, taking a bath, seeing a movie with some friends, or even just going for a short walk.

Physical

One of the most important aspects of overall wellness is your physical health; if your physical health is down it can negatively affect many other areas of your health. To maintain optimal physical health you should be physically active at least 30 minutes of every day and eat a well-balanced diet including 5 servings of fruits and vegetables (Cdc.gov, 2015). Now, everyone knows that working in physical activity and attempting to eat healthy can be a very daunting task, but there are ways you can make it more interesting and appealing. For example, try some new recipes if you don’t like eating raw fruits and veggies or make a smoothie and hide unwanted flavors. To get in enough physical activity workout as a group with some friends or try something new you’ve never done before such as hiking, a yoga class or canoeing.

Environmental

I know what you’re thinking, how does the environment have any effect on my health? Well I agree it seems a little far-fetched at first, but think about it, what’s going on around you has a huge impact on what you do, how you feel or even simply what you breathe in. Focusing on the environment around you not only gives you an emotional break from your studies, but helps you see that all aspects of life affect what you’re doing. If you find yourself at a standstill with your studies stop and assess the environment around you. Have you been stuck inside for too long and need some fresh air? Or maybe you simply need a fresh space to spike your thinking?

Social

Your social health also ties in with your emotional and environmental health. Being locked in your room for hours at a time studying can cause some serious mental exhaustion. Sometimes the best thing for you is to step away and meet up with some friends, have a beer or two, and just enjoy the company of others.

Professional

Many students often forget their growth as a professional is an important part of their schooling. Growth as a professional helps you build your social and connecting skills. Consequently, this will help build your confidence and increase your emotional health. Buy some new clothes, dress yourself up, and start connecting with other professionals. You never know what these connections may do for you in the future.

Intellectual

This one may seem like an obvious one, as how could intellect not play a part of learning? Well you might find yourself falling into a routine of worrying about the bare minimum of what you need to know and forgetting to think outside the box. Challenging yourself intellectually helps you better approach situations in real life. Strive to learn as much as you can, but be sure and understand all aspects and be able to apply what you’ve learned.

Spiritual

Sometimes when all else fails, getting in touch with your spiritual side, whatever that may be, is all you need. Think hard on your beliefs, morals, and your perception of this ultimate rat race. Contemplating your goals in life and why you’re doing what you’re doing is often the boost your health and emotional state need to continue chugging on. Visit your local church, talk with a mentor or quietly meditate at home. Do whatever you need to to improve your Zen.

 To see what A.T. Still University is doing for their students to ensure their overall optimal health visit 

www.atsu.edu/student_affairs/stillwell

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Retrieved September 24, 2015.

Schuster, T., Dobson, M., Jauregui, M., & Blanks, R. (2004). Wellness Lifestyles I: A Theoretical Framework Linking Wellness, Health Lifestyles, And Complementary And Alternative Medicine. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 10(2), 349-356.

Still-Well Student Wellness Program. (n.d.). Retrieved September 15, 2015, from https://www.atsu.edu/student_affairs/stillwell/overview.htm

"Small changes, BIG difference!" Health Advice from Lego, the Dog

Hello! My name is Lego.  

I’m here to talk to you about some health changes you can make in your life to help you feel  better, while decreasing your risk for chronic health problems like heart disease and stroke. 

If you’re like me, it can be overwhelming to think of all the things we’re supposed to do to stay healthy: never eat my favorite foods, work out all the time…and don’t even get me started on all the confusing information about healthy diets! 

Some people say “no fat,” others recommend low carbs. I’ve heard it’s healthy to be a vegetarian...but I’m a dog, so I don’t know if that’s a good idea. 

All this conflicting advice was enough to make me lose interest in even trying.  

I lose focus and I think maybe it’s just better to let sleeping dogs lie, you know?

But then I realized there’s an easier way to be healthier! I don’t have to give up everything I love or buy anything really expensive or commit my whole day to exercise (which is a good thing, because I am a busy dog)! 

I decided to make just one little change at a time. It’s easy to make a new habit when I know it’s just one small change, but they can add up fast to big health benefits (Wise, 2015; Healthy People 2020, 2015). 

At first, I just committed to drinking more water each day.

The amount of water people (and dogs!) need is variable, but the  Mayo Clinic recommends between 2-3 liters per day for adults (2015). 

It turns out there are added benefits to this little change: by adding more water, people often naturally drink less caffeine and sugary drinks like soda. You might be surprised how fast these calories add up; by drinking water instead, you’ve already started the first step in a more healthy diet as well! That was easy!

After I got the hang of adding water to my day, I decided it was time to try to add a new healthy habit. This time, I decided to add a walk to my evening routine after dinner. It’s hard for me to run, because I’m starting to get arthritis in my paws, but I can handle a half-hour walk in the fresh air, dog-gone it! 

The weather is nice, and—I didn’t believe it when I first heard it—a brisk walk has the same health benefits for your heart as jogging or running (AHA, 2015)! Sometimes I get busy and miss a walk, but for the most part, it’s been an easy habit to start—especially when I asked a friend to start going with me. We encourage each other to keep it up and we have fun socializing at the same time!

As I was getting the hang of daily walks, I realized that there’s a great side-benefit to regular moderate exercise, too! I mean, sure it’s good for my heart and my circulation, and I knew it would help me keep my weight under control, but it also helps me get better sleep! I used to struggle through my day—dog tired!—but now I fall asleep faster and wake more rested, which helps me get through my busy days with more energy and less stress (Sleep Foundation, 2011). 

Finally, I knew it was time to do something about my diet. I had  been dreading this one, because—well, I like to eat. A lot! 

I didn’t feel like I could handle a major overhaul to my eating routine, so I decided to make one step towards healthier eating by filling half my food bowl with produce at mealtime (MyPlate, n.d.). I still get to eat my favorite foods, but by the time I’ve finished my sweet peas, carrots, and green beans, I’m not as hungry, so I eat less of the high-calorie stuff. I feel nice and full, but I’m starting to lose some of my extra pounds and the vet says I’m getting closer to my ideal weight! 

It was really easy to add fresh greens and fruit to my meals—I even started making better decisions at snack time.

When I crave a treat between meals, I stop and consider whether a fresh piece of fruit would satisfy my hunger. I still allow myself a delicious beef chew every now and then, but most days, I find a crunchy apple does the trick. The vitamins are good for me, and the fiber keeps me feeling full longer.

These three little changes I’ve already made are helping me feel better and have more energy, but they can also help you lower your risk for heart disease, stroke, and even some  cancers (AHA, 2015; New York Department of Health, 2012)! 

I’m already starting to think of the new little changes I can add next.

Don’t be overwhelmed by all the impossible-sounding health advice out there—you can improve your health one day at a time with small, intentional decisions. 

Don’t take my word for it, though—after all, I’m just a dog. You can find more information about the little health changes that make a BIG difference at the websites below. 

Turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks! See you next time!

For More Information:

This is a great site for assessing where you are, health-wise. Take a 5-minute survey to see which areas could use improvement to maximize your efforts for long-term health:

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/My-Life-Check---Lifes-Simple-7_UCM_471453_Article.jsp

This site has 10 easy ideas for starting your own small-change program:

http://healthnetpulse.com/member/2014/08/11/10-small-changes-that-deliver-big-health-benefits/

This page has lots of resources to help you get started walking for physical activity:

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/PhysicalActivity/Walking/Walking_UCM_460870_SubHomePage.jsp

This is a link to a lot of “top ten” tips to improve your eating, one small change at a time:

http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ten-tips

References:

American Heart Association. (2015). Walk, Don't Run, Your Way to a Healthy Heart. Retrieved from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/PhysicalActivity/Walking/Walk-Dont-Run-Your-Way-to-a-Healthy-Heart_UCM_452926_Article.jsp

Choose MyPlate. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.choosemyplate.gov

Healthy People 2020. (2015). Determinate of health: Individual behavior. Retrieved from http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/about/foundation-health-measures/Determinants-of-Health#individual%20behavior 

Mayo Clinic. (2015). Water: How much should you drink every day? Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256

National Sleep Foundation. (2011). How does exercise help those with chronic insomnia?Retrieved from https://sleepfoundation.org/ask-the-expert/how-does-exercise-help-those-chronic-insomnia

New York Department of Health. (2012). Risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Retrieved from https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/cardiovascular/heart_disease/risk_factors.htm

Wise, J. (May, 2015). Small changes to diet could bring substantial health and environmental benefits, say researchers. The BMJ, 2015(350). Retrieved from http://www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.h2330

Shigella in Kansas City

“The scientific name, shigellosis, is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called shigella” (CDC, 2015). Shigella is very similar to salmonella, as it is a bacterium that affects the gastrointestinal tract of humans. Shigella is spread through the fecal-oral route, so in order to become infected with the bacteria you have to come in contact with an individual’s fecal matter that is currently infected with the shigella bacteria. “Shigella causes about 500,000 cases of diarrhea in the United States annually” (CDC, 2015). It usually takes several days for the symptoms of shigella to begin. According to the CDC, once the symptoms do occur they can range from diarrhea (often containing blood or mucus), abdominal pain and cramps, and fever. According to Medicinenet.com, the symptoms last a few days and will clear up on their own. Medical attention is not normally needed unless severe symptoms take place such as dehydration or fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit.

As stated in the first paragraph shigella is spread through contaminated fecal matter. Children aged two to four can easily pick up this bacterium by drinking or eating anything that is contaminated by this bacterium or even being in close quarters with someone who is infected with this bacterium. It is spread very easily through daycare centers because the daycare workers don’t ensure proper hygiene when dealing with dirty diapers and then preparing food for lunch or snacks. Once one child in a daycare has contracted shigella, it spreads like wildfire, and within a few short days a daycare can be shut down due to the high volume of children coming down sick with the bacterium (Green, 2014). 

This graph shows the number of cases of shigella in regards to the onset of symptoms. Graph was retrieved from the CDC website

Prevention of shigella is very simple if proper measures are taken to avoid the spread of the disease. The number one way someone can prevent the spread of shigella is making sure they frequently and correctly wash their hands. You should wash your hands for 30 seconds with soap and warm water. In a daycare setting you can prevent the spread of the disease by washing your hands every time you change or handle a dirty diaper. You must also dispose of dirty diapers properly and it never hurts to disinfect the surface you used to change the diaper. If you are a daycare worker you should encourage that children frequently wash their hands with warm water and soap as well, especially before lunch and snack time (Green, 2014). As parents the best way you can prevent the spread of shigella is by taking your child out of daycare if you suspect that they have become infected with the disease. You should wait at least 24 hours from the last onset of symptoms to allow your child to go back to daycare.

For more information contact: Kansas City Department of Health

Phone: 816-513-6365 Email: kcmo.gov/health

References:

General Information. (2015, June 5). Retrieved September 10, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/shigella/

Green, N. (2014). Shigella Infections. Retrieved September 10, 2015, from http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/shigella.html#

Shigella Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - What is the government doing about shigellosis? - MedicineNet. (n.d.). Retrieved September 14, 2015, from http://www.medicinenet.com/shigella_infection/page6.htm#some_tips_for_preventing_the_spread_of_shigellosis