Archive for May, 2009
STATE OF ALABAMA OFFICE OF WOMEN’S HEALTH ALABAMA TOGETHER ONE STEP AT A TIME
May 8th, 2009 | 
Author: The Alabama Department of Public Health’s Office of Women’s Health is coordinating the development and implementation of a weight loss initiative that will be offered in communities throughout Alabama.We are partnering with the Alabama Obesity Task Force and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Office of Minority Health, Nutrition and Physical Activity Unit, and Diabetes Branch to train Community Health Advisors (CHAs) on a new ADPH obesity campaign “Alabama Together One Step at a Time” to promote weight loss in every county across Alabama.
Overweight and obesity increases the risk of a number of other female health problems such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, osteoarthritis, depression, certain cancers, sleep apnea, and other health disorders.
Training seminars will be conducted throughout Alabama to teach community volunteers a structured nutrition and physical activity so that they can lead a community based weight loss program.
read the full article for more information at: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4090/is_200509/ai_n15705644/
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State does poorly in obesity survey
More than 30 percent of adults in both states tipped the scales enough to ensure the South remains the nation’s heaviest region, a random telephone survey last year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed.
The findings are similar to results from the same survey the previous three years
Mississippi has had the highest obesity rate every year since 2004. But Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia and Louisiana have also clustered near the top of the list, often so close that the difference between their rates and Mississippi’s may not be statistically significant.
In Alabama, 30.3 percent of adults are obese; in Mississippi, that number increases to 32 percent, according to the latest survey.
The Alabama Department of Public Health – realizing the state hasn’t improved its obesity rates in the last 15 years – created the Alabama Obesity Task Force to help control obesity, Pettyjohn said.
read the full article for more information at: http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/121637251686990.xml&coll=3
Food industry not responsive to obesity, claims report
By not doing enough to tackle the growing obesity crisis, the food and beverage industry is storing up problems for the future, claims a new report.
According to Obesity concerns in the food and beverage industry from UK-based Ethical Investment Research Services (EIRIS), the food industry, while adamant that is not to blame for customers weight problems, must accept that significant damage will be done if it is not seen to be responding to the problem.
“Food and drink producers are waking up to the business risks associated with obesity, but significant challenges remain.”
The study also analysed the food and beverage industry’s response to the challenges presented by the growing obesity problem. While some food companies recently hit the headlines with plans for a voluntary labelling system, the report says that differences remain in the approach of multinationals to the health crisis and the associated risks posed to their businesses.
read the full article for more information at: http://www.commercialexploitation.org/news/foodindustrynotresponsive.htm
Food Companies Launch Yet Another Phony Effort Against Childhood Obesity
November 14 – Following is the statement of Gary Ruskin, executive director of Commercial Alert, about today’s announcement on self-regulation of food marketing to children by Coca-Cola, Kraft, PepsiCo, McDonalds and other food companies, the Council of Better Business Bureaus and the National Advertising Review Council,
‘Self-regulation is just another word for letting the fox regulate the chicken coop, which of course leads to dead chickens. Self-regulation has been a key ingredient in the childhood obesity epidemic. It is the problem, not the solution. The childhood obesity epidemic will continue until Congress passes tough new laws against marketing to children. Self-regulation is no substitute.’
‘Junk food marketers are dreaming if they think they can halt tough new laws against marketing to children. Eventually, they will be held accountable for their actions, just like the tobacco industry. We will prevail because children are more important than corporate profits.’
read the full article for more information at: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_3360.cfm
Spring into Fitness: Eight Ways to Help Your Employees Get Fit, Healthy, and Grateful This Spring
How getting involved in your employees’ Spring Fitness Fever can help you build goodwill, boost productivity . . . and save money on healthcare costs
As the days get longer (and warmer!) and swimsuit season looms, many people are beginning to think about the same thing—getting in shape. If you own or manage a company you should leverage this natural “Spring Fitness Fever” and use it to help your employees get fit and healthy . . . which, in turn, benefits you financially.
Not only will helping your employees lose weight keep your health insurance costs under control, it will show them you care about them and their personal goals. By helping them achieve their fitness goals, you become part of a larger solution for your employees. At that point, you’re giving them a lot more than a paycheck. You’re pushing them toward self-mastery and personal fulfillment—and that’s a recipe for increased gratitude and better work performance.
From years of experience with Move It. Lose It. Live Healthy. program I have built up a nearly inexhaustible supply of statistics on obesity and how much it is costing employers:
read the full article for more information at: http://www.moveitloseitlivehealthy.com/news_fit_this_spring.html
Fight Diabetes in Alabama!
Alabama is the second fattest state in the nation, and we rank 5th when it comes to diabetes.
One local hospital is taking a stand on the fight against diabetes and obesity. Pam Glover from the diabetes and control center says that most Americans have excluded exercise in their lives and that’s what has led to Alabama’s high rates in diabetes and obesity.
Treatment includes dietary changes, exercise, weight loss and usually oral medications or insulin injections and it’s important to note that the control center is offering classes to help people maintain a healthy lifestyle.
read full article for more information at: http://www.obesitydiscussion.com/forums/4267-post1.html
Alabama Receives Grant to Combat Obesity
The Alabama Department of Public Health is one of eight state health departments selected to receive grants to support the development of physical activity and nutrition programs in partnership with selected communities. Because of the BITE (Balancing InTake and Expenditure) grant, the department will provide $15,000 directly to community groups.
Community applicants will be expected to convene and coordinate a coalition of organizations that are vested in improving physical activity opportunities and improving nutritional status of their residents
Eligible applicants for BITE grants were the 15 states with the highest overweight and obesity rates in the U.S. The state grants were awarded based on the strength of the state’s history and current ability to build and sustain partnerships with state and community-level organizations with capacity to build community-based health initiatives in obesity prevention.
read full article for more information at: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/139965.php