National Nutrition Awareness Month Proclamation
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Mar 10, 2010, 0 Comments
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
Laredo, TX – – The City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) invites the public to the Nutrition Awareness Month activities starting with a Proclamation/Nutrition Fair on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at the City of Laredo Health Department located at 2600 Cedar. At the same time we are also celebrating Registered Dietician Day to honor those persons who advocate for nutrition improvement and wellness on a daily basis.
National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information effort in support of American Dietetic Association. The campaign is designed to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Initiated in March 1973 as a week-long event, “National Nutrition Week” became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition as a key component of health along with physical activity.
Because Laredo and many Texas/Mexico Border communities face an epidemic of diabetes we need to prevent obesity, good nutrition and exercise are key to prevention. In addition, nutrition can decrease the risk for health conditions such as, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, hypertension, dyslipidemia, stroke, liver and gallbladder disease, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, and osteoarthritis. Healthy eating can combat the resistance to insulin and helps maintain normal cholesterol levels. In Laredo 40.8 percent of males and 35 percent of females are affected with either obesity or diabetes. In 2010, the City of Laredo Health Department’s Buena Vida Program found, 86 percent of patients who attended the clinic for blood tests have at least one abnormal result. In our School health program 13% of school age children were found to have abnormal glucose levels. Therefore we encourage the following as well to get early detection with annual exams, visit with your nutritionist or visit the health department Buena Vida program and if you are participating in PBL continue to do so and follow what you have learned.
§ Healthy eating helps you get the most out of life. A healthy lifestyle is the key to looking good, feeling great and being your best at work and play. It all starts with a healthy eating plan.
§ Individual needs and preferences determine your personal food choices. Match your food choices to your lifestyle and individual requirements, choosing enough to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
§ Actively pursue variety. Expand your range of choices and explore new tastes, within and among food groups. Eating a wide variety of foods not only promotes optimal nutrition, it provides the pleasurable aspects of eating.
§ Make moderation your goal — you decide how much and how often. Healthy eating doesn’t mean feeling deprived or guilty. Look at the big picture, what you eat over several days — not just one day or one meal — that’s important.
§ Develop a personal fitness plan that fits your lifestyle. The key is to find a variety of activities you enjoy. You don’t need expensive equipment or complicated fitness programs.
For more information contact the WIC program at (956) 795-4943 and for more health education information call Zaida Gonzalez MD, Health Education Supervisor at (956) 795-4918.
