How to snack healthy at the movies
Next time you take your child to the movies closely watch the advertisements. Greater than two thirds of popular movies feature food, beverage and/or food retail establishment brand placements. The majority of these brand placements are for foods that are high in sugar and low in healthy nutrition. This behavior then transfers out of the movie theaters into the home. How many times do you sit as a family at home to watch a movie and have popcorn, pizza, candy, ice cream and soda to go with it? The classic “movie night”. As a treat this is OK but as we Americans sit in front of the TV more and more this treat becomes a daily habit.
Next time you take your family to the movies drink water instead of soda and ask for a small or medium popcorn with no or minimal butter. Sneak some fruit in your purse or pocket to help cut down on the amount of unhealthy snacks that will be purchased. Try to eat dinner prior to the movie which will cut down on the amount of food taken in during the movie. Most of all, be a role model for your child. Explain to them that this is a treat and in able to have the snacks at the movie they must eat fruits and vegetables that day prior to going to the movie .
YoMedics teaches you all these great tips and more. Sign up for our free 10 day e course to learn how to improve the health of your family one day at a time. The effort you put into your child’s health now becomes the success of their future.
Studies show childhood obesity is not decreasing
A recent study came out in the Journal of American Medical Association showing that the prevalence of overweight or obese children has remained steady for 10 years and is not declining. Childhood and adolescent obesity is such a hot topic right now that you would think these numbers would be starting to decrease. I feel that part of the reason why childhood obesity is not decreasing is because society is not wrapping their arms around what is a huge epidemic.
Dealing with childhood obesity involves many aspects from teaching children and their families what it means to have health, how to prepare nutritious meals and healthy snacks, how to have active play and/or exercise and how to love ourselves enough to have a positive mental mindset to want to make changes. Finding health is not just about losing weight or adding exercise into your daily agenda. It involves making changes at all levels of mindset, activity and eating. This can be overwhelming for some. Being healthy requires a daily commitment.
Don’t worry, YoMedics is here to help you with that. Our programs involve teaching families what they need to know to be healthy while making it fun and exciting. It does not happen overnight.You take it one day at a time. Kids Journey to YoPower for Life and Seeds of Enrichment assist your child on a daily goal basis and then a weekly goal basis. You go at your speed. You will learn healthy kids recipes, how to prepare healthy family meals, and other obesity solutions. If your child is not overweight but needs to learn how to be healthier, we can help you with that also.
Visit our website at www.yomedics.com and sign up for our free 10 day e-course. You will learn great tips to get you started. Then you can decide if you want to participate in our full program. What do you have to lose except 5 minutes a day to read an email. For the health of your child, is it worth it? The answer is yes. YoMedics is committed to children’s health and wellness through education. We will decrease the number of overweight and obese children.
Link between adolescent weight gain and white milk consumption
Remember when we had to drink a glass of milk with every meal? That is not the case now a days. Most adolescents drink less white milk. Milk is being replaced with high calorie beverages such as specialty coffee drinks, soda, juice, flavored milks and energy drinks. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed a link between adolescent weight gain and consumption of white milk. Adolescents who drank little or no white milk gained significantly more weight compared to those who drank white milk nearly every day.
Many organizations are now looking at the association between beverage consumption and obesity. Researchers have proposed a 1-cent per ounce tax on beverages that contain an added caloric sweetener. The intent is to see if this can alleviate escalating health care costs and decrease the number of diseases related to poor lifestyle habits. Much research needs to be done but at least it is a start.
YoMedics programs educate your family on healthy beverage choices. Seeds of Enrichment and Kids Journey to YoPower for Life will teach your family healthy lifestyle habits to allow them to have a well balanced body in physical appearance, function and mind. Your child will learn the importance of a healthy mind, healthy snacking, exercise, active play, proper portion control and character development. Visit our website at www.yomedics.com and start your child on the road to health today. Sign up for our free 10 day e-course to learn simple steps to health.
Michelle Obama’s Obesity Initiative
I had an exciting opportunity to participate in a teleconference with the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. The topic was to discuss pledges that are part of the First Lady’s ”Let’s Move” campaign to fight childhood obesity.
Secretary Sebelius discussed the importance of the American Academy of Pediatrics partnership with the initiative, however, also stressed that this is a societal wide problem. The childhood obesity epidemic needs the involvement at all levels from parents, schools, physicians, communities, the CDC, Department of Agriculture, Department of Education and the Food and Drug Administration. Efforts have already been put in place such as the CDC implementing a surveillance system for monitoring childhood/adolescent obesity, exercise and nutritional habits. The Food and Drug Administration is working on front package labeling for healthier choices. More funds will be allocated for research. The media will be used to reach out to the sports and entertainment world to assist in educating children and families on healthy lifestyle habits. Physicians will continue their current practice of monitoring BMI at each well visit. A prescription will also be given to parents on healthy eating and active play.
These are just a few of the plans that are in place for the “Let’s Move” initiative. As you can see it will truly take a community wide effort to wrap our arms around such an overwhelming issue and health hazard for our children. The First Lady’s goal is to overcome obesity in this generation of children. YoMedics is prepared to do that. We have programs in place that can be implemented in the home, physician’s office, schools, with community leaders and other venues. Visit our website at www.yomedics.com to learn how YoMedics can assist your child or your organization to improve the health of children and fight childhood obesity. Our programs are fun, exciting, interactive and involve active play and exercise while educating healthy lifestyle behaviors.
Please Take Our Super Quick Family Health Survey!
YoMedics is committed to serving individuals and families. We love what we do and are looking forward to an amazing 2010! Here at the end of 2009 we’d like the opportunity to learn more about your health concerns.
We would be so honored if you would take a few quick moments to complete our Family Health Survey and help us get to know you and your family better.
Your answers will help us shape future resources here on the YoMedics website. Thank you in advance for your help!
Click Here to Answer Survey
Oh, the sweetness of life!
Even though it may be the season, no candies, cookies or pies necessary. The sweetness of your child early in the morning, re-connecting with long time friends, strengthen new friendships and pausing to be grateful. We tend to get so caught up in our daily “chores” and schedules, we can easily forget these very important things. Truly, the sweetness of life!
Children are so tuned in to us, even when you think they are not paying attention, they are. Granted, when you ask them to clean up their rooms or brush their teeth, by their lack of action, you would swear they are not paying attention. However, they develop habits, learn coping strategies and the importance of consideration and respect for family and friends at home! How you move through your day, treat yourself and others will serve as the most significant influence on their life choices.
A healthy lifestyle for kids and families happens by connecting with each other and remembering what is important on a daily basis. Feed yourself with positive, enriching “stuff” – mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Your children will follow your cue, even if they don’t jump up and brush their teeth when you do…..Maybe a little later! Oh, the sweetness of life!
Is Coke The Cause of Obesity?
There was a very good article in the Wall Street Journal last week written by Muhtar Kent, CEO of the Coca-Cola Company. He explained how it is inappropriate to tax certain beverages and foods that have been determined to be high in calories. I agree with him. Sugar-sweetened beverages contribute to approximately 5% of calories in the average American diet according to the National Cancer Institute.
Grant it high calorie beverages are definitely a contributing factor to obesity, however, they are not the only cause. Obesity is a very multi-factorial problem that has developed because of lack of portion control, poor food and beverage choices, lack of adequate exercise and increasing sedentary behaviors. Not drinking high calorie beverages will not make obesity go away. It will definitely help but there is more effort that has to go into it. The root cause of the problem still comes down to making wise healthy lifestyle choices and education.
We can not attack the obesity issue by pointing fingers and expecting everyone to take the blame. We as parents, health care providers and community leaders need to attack the issue at all levels. Taxing will not make the problem go away. This is exactly why YoMedics healthy lifestyle programs discuss the importance of healthy nutrition, exercise, positive thoughts and education. All of these issues need to be addressed before change can be made. YoMedics programs do that! If you truly want to make changes in your family in regards to healthy lifestyle choices then YoMedics is the answer for you. We will educate you and teach you sustainable changes for a healthy life. The answer for childhood and adolescent obesity is YoMedics.
We are turning the Titanic!
It’s going to take all of us to turn this ship around, and guess what, we’re doing it! We are changing the direction of children’s health and navigating the icebergs. We are doing it because our children are worth it and they deserve the gift of health.
Kids deserve a promising future free of catastrophic health conditions due to childhood obesity. This is not something they are born with, folks. It is due to lifestyle choices and habits they are developing for a lifetime. So let’s make sure they are healthy choices and healthy habits!!
It does not happen overnight, however, we can do this for our kids. There are many dedicated, brilliant people committed to this goal. Lisa and I had the pleasure of meeting with several of them on our trip to the West Coast and back last week. The creativity and passion for children’s health shared by so many is, in part, what fuels our efforts and strengthens our commitment. The end goal of healthier, happier kids takes us the rest of the way!
Parents, friends, communities, schools, it is truly up to all of us to get this right for all our kids. It is their lives, their future and it is our responsibility to do this, and the time is now. So, let’s get with the program!
Building a Foundation for Sustainable Living
Heather and I are in California and Texas this week. We have a busy agenda of meetings to build relationships with other health conscious individuals who are concerned with our children’s health and wellness. We had a wonderful meeting today with individuals who are also passionate about childhood obesity and determined to offer an alternative to a life of illness, sadness, low self esteem and potential poor economic advancement. We will continue to build a foundation and movement in health care to look at health with a proactive eye instead of a reactive motion to disease. Follow us and watch our progression. Childhood and adolescent obesity is preventable and we are determined to educate others on healthy lifestyle changes for sustainable living.
The Journey is the Gift…..
Over the past several days, a recurring theme has woven it’s way into our lives. Life is truly a journey and that includes pain and joy, grief and celebration, cloudy days and sunny ones.
This is certainly true of life itself. Take the opportunity to share with your children the lessons and emotions surrounding life events. This weekend marks a year since we learned of my mother’s terminal illness, she died a month later. It is also my birthday. So this weekend has been a combination of the pain of losing Gran and honoring the celebration of life.
Children are so intuitive and connected to us emotionally. When the opportunity presents itself in your life, be sure to discuss the ebb and flow of pain and joy in life. Discuss your feelings honestly and encourage your children to express theirs. It is profoundly important to be able to accept and move through painful experiences in a healthy way. These experiences are a natural part of life. This is an important way in which children develop empathy, compassion and coping skills.
Yesterday, in a conversation with the president of a mobile wellness network/company located in western Pennsylvania, she so simply clarified a fundamental truth about life. The cloudy days make the sunny ones even brighter. Share this truth with your kids and remember to be grateful for every day. The journey is the gift….
