Russell Williams
Well-Known Member
A Report on the Nutrition and Wellness Training Session
On Wednesday, June 20, 2007, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. I was at a conference presenting information about nutrition and wellness and suggesting what the next steps in Washington County should be.
The first presenter discussed the magnitude of the regional obesity problem. He listed nine conditions associated with obesity and proceeded to explain that this might be the first generation of children who do not live as long as their parents. I asked if this reduced life expectancy would mean that Social Security was saved. He said that no one had ever asked him that question before.
The next presenter talked about poor nutritions effect on chronic illness. He pointed out that if all people had colonoscopies starting at age 50: cancer could be practically eliminated. He recommended eating lots of fruits and vegetables of a variety of different colors and drinking lots of water.
The next presenter talked about childhood obesity. He also stated, Todays kids may become the first generation in the history of man to have a life expectancy predicted to be less than that of their parents. Since I had already asked my question I did not see fit to ask it again. He stated that in 1960 4% of children between six and 10 were obese and now 15% of children between six and 10 are obese. He suggested that adult obesity could be prevented by physical activity lasting 30 to 60 minutes a day, reducing the portion size of meals, reducing soda and desserts, and reducing TV and video time. This presenter stated that there are more than 250 obesity associated genes and only two lean associated genes. A study of 16,000 subjects who were born between 1911 and 1930 was made. It was found that for birth weights below 8 pounds the lower the weight, the higher the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. It was also found that birth weights above 9 pounds increased the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Maternal obesity and birth weight above 8 lbs. 8 oz. increases by fivefold the risk for subsequent leukemia in the child. An advantage of breast-feeding is that caloric intake is self regulated by the child. The average teenager consumes 870 cans of soft drink a year and only 17% of high school students walked to school. Bypass weight loss surgery has huge complications and banding is much safer. It is the only program that produces sustained benefits. He pointed out that 40 years ago WIC was started because they were so many malnourished children. Now less than 5% of children are malnourished. I asked if that meant that WIC was no longer needed.
The keynote address was a rather thin woman talking about lots of exercise and how to change your eating patterns so that you will eat less. She pointed out that 75% of is illnesses caused by stress. My thought was that if that is true then most fat people can achieve good health by reducing their stress rather than by getting thin.
The next speaker gave a pitch for eating more fruits and vegetables. In Washington County they want to double the consumption of fruits and vegetables within five years. Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables are considered okay and there are 350 varieties of fruits and vegetables
The final presenter talked about how this message will be conveyed to the people of Washington County. The main message consists of three parts. One) People of all sizes and shapes can reduce their risk of poor health by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Two) At the individual and community level people should focus on health rather than weight . Three) Lifestyle changes can be simple and relatively inexpensive. They want people to take a healthy lifestyle pledge. People are to pledge to drink more water, to be physically active 30 mins per day, and eat more fruits and vegetables. In the small group discussion someone mentioned giving children more chores. I pointed out that with the high and rising cost of electricity a way to save money and to give children exercise would be, where possible, to install a clothesline and let the children hang the cloths up to dry.
All in all it was an interesting day. Readers should realize that, to the best of my ability, I am simply reporting what I heard or what I actually said. Just because I report what I heard does not mean that I agree with what I heard.
Yours truly,
Russell Williams
On Wednesday, June 20, 2007, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. I was at a conference presenting information about nutrition and wellness and suggesting what the next steps in Washington County should be.
The first presenter discussed the magnitude of the regional obesity problem. He listed nine conditions associated with obesity and proceeded to explain that this might be the first generation of children who do not live as long as their parents. I asked if this reduced life expectancy would mean that Social Security was saved. He said that no one had ever asked him that question before.
The next presenter talked about poor nutritions effect on chronic illness. He pointed out that if all people had colonoscopies starting at age 50: cancer could be practically eliminated. He recommended eating lots of fruits and vegetables of a variety of different colors and drinking lots of water.
The next presenter talked about childhood obesity. He also stated, Todays kids may become the first generation in the history of man to have a life expectancy predicted to be less than that of their parents. Since I had already asked my question I did not see fit to ask it again. He stated that in 1960 4% of children between six and 10 were obese and now 15% of children between six and 10 are obese. He suggested that adult obesity could be prevented by physical activity lasting 30 to 60 minutes a day, reducing the portion size of meals, reducing soda and desserts, and reducing TV and video time. This presenter stated that there are more than 250 obesity associated genes and only two lean associated genes. A study of 16,000 subjects who were born between 1911 and 1930 was made. It was found that for birth weights below 8 pounds the lower the weight, the higher the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. It was also found that birth weights above 9 pounds increased the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Maternal obesity and birth weight above 8 lbs. 8 oz. increases by fivefold the risk for subsequent leukemia in the child. An advantage of breast-feeding is that caloric intake is self regulated by the child. The average teenager consumes 870 cans of soft drink a year and only 17% of high school students walked to school. Bypass weight loss surgery has huge complications and banding is much safer. It is the only program that produces sustained benefits. He pointed out that 40 years ago WIC was started because they were so many malnourished children. Now less than 5% of children are malnourished. I asked if that meant that WIC was no longer needed.
The keynote address was a rather thin woman talking about lots of exercise and how to change your eating patterns so that you will eat less. She pointed out that 75% of is illnesses caused by stress. My thought was that if that is true then most fat people can achieve good health by reducing their stress rather than by getting thin.
The next speaker gave a pitch for eating more fruits and vegetables. In Washington County they want to double the consumption of fruits and vegetables within five years. Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables are considered okay and there are 350 varieties of fruits and vegetables
The final presenter talked about how this message will be conveyed to the people of Washington County. The main message consists of three parts. One) People of all sizes and shapes can reduce their risk of poor health by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Two) At the individual and community level people should focus on health rather than weight . Three) Lifestyle changes can be simple and relatively inexpensive. They want people to take a healthy lifestyle pledge. People are to pledge to drink more water, to be physically active 30 mins per day, and eat more fruits and vegetables. In the small group discussion someone mentioned giving children more chores. I pointed out that with the high and rising cost of electricity a way to save money and to give children exercise would be, where possible, to install a clothesline and let the children hang the cloths up to dry.
All in all it was an interesting day. Readers should realize that, to the best of my ability, I am simply reporting what I heard or what I actually said. Just because I report what I heard does not mean that I agree with what I heard.
Yours truly,
Russell Williams
