What is a Healthy Weight For You?

Weight and body image in America Aiming for a healthy weight can be confusing in today's celebrity-driven culture. Although there has been some movement toward more realistic body images, most of the models that people see in the media are extremely thin, lean and athletic - digital manipulation of fashion photography also helps quite a bit! Few average Americans have the genetics, time or money necessary for such "perfect" bodies. Unfortunately, many people damage their mental and physical health in vain attempts to be beautiful and acceptable. Dumb diets, dangerous weight loss products and disordered eating are all too common, especially among teens, women and overweight people who will do anything in a desperate effort to reach the unattainable. Government weight guidelines Government weight guidelines have shifted from the old height-weight tables to the concept of Body Mass Index (BMI). In 1998, an expert panel from the National Institutes of Health chose BMI as a reliable and inexpensive way to classify the health risk of being overweight or obese. BMI was used to define a healthy weight in the December 2001 Surgeon General's Call To Action To Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity. A BMI table, complete description of BMI calculations, and the relationship of BMI to health can be found in the Surgeon General's healthy weight advice for consumers at: www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/calltoaction/fact_advice.htm Looking beyond BMI for your healthy weight Many health professionals are using a more holistic definition of healthy weight – one that focuses more on health than weight. Here are some thoughts from experts who think beyond BMI when looking at weight management. A healthy weight is: 1. determined by your lifestyle, not by a number on the scale or BMI chart. 2. a weight where you can have food be part of your life, but not all of your life. 3. the weight that one's body settles into with a balanced lifestyle, healthful eating and regular physical activity. 4. a weight that is attainable and maintainable within a reasonably stable range without having to resort to heroic efforts of restricting caloric intake or excessively exaggerating caloric expenditure. 5. a weight range that a person settles into while respecting natural appetites for food, movement and rest; without using restrictive eating patterns, compulsive exercise, medications or supplements to manage their weight.

What TWEENS Want and Need

Thinking about food and nutrition for the millennial generation

Child development experts refer to tweens (kids ages 8 to 12 – between childhood and adolescence) as the role/rule stage. Their needs and wants include acceptance, success, role enactment and rule learning. They are both reluctant and eager to leave their childhood (foods, toys, games, etc.) behind. Tweens want acceptance from peers, siblings and parents as they develop an adult self-image. Kids at this age are group-oriented and they tend to be conformists – as they explore social roles and peer relationships. This means that they will usually want to eat what the people around them are eating.

During the tween stage, young people are beginning to develop their moral sense and values, lifelong rules for right and wrong, good and bad. As part of this process, they begin to identify with and to emulate role models. The health habits of important teens and adults can have a profound effect on tweens.

Cooperation is another important need for tweens. They look for, and enjoy, opportunities to share and to interact with different groups in their community. Tweens like to volunteer – and can learn important lessons from working with seniors, younger children and people with disabilities.

Another key issue for this betwixt and between generation is control. They want power over their environment as they learn how to make their own decisions. Parents, teachers and youth leaders can help by giving tweens lots of chances to practice making choices – like healthy food choices.

Sensory gratification is very important to tweens. This means that the eye-appeal and the presentation of meals and snacks are important to them. They care about color, shape, smell, taste and texture – and about the packaging of food and beverages. Tweens want food that is fun to handle and to eat.

Tweens like humor – what older folks sometimes think is the “dark side” of humor. They like slapstick – and often go for things that seem gross, violent and taboo to adults. Who do you think is the target market for food and beverage products like purple ketchup, pink margarine, extremo burritos and lizard’s breath ice tea?

If you want to know more about what’s hot and what’s not on the tween scene, online is the place to go. Here are a few websites designed for the tween psyche:

http://www.foxkids.com/

http://www.sikids.com/ http://www.yahooligans.com/ http://yucky.kids.discovery.com/

YOGA : Fitness For The Whole Body

Yoga is an ancient system of personal development encompassing mind, body and spirit. It isnow embraced by modern science and by millions of Americans. Yoga can benefit anybody, from babies to seniors, and can be adapted for any body, from pregnant women to hardcore athletes. Take a class and see why yoga is often called the “fountain of life.”

1. YOGA for strength Building or rebuilding - muscle strength is just one of the many reasons to do yoga. The wide variety of yoga poses helps strengthen muscles in all areas of your body. Yoga can be especially helpful in strengthening back muscles – and reducing lower back problems. 2. YOGA for flexibility When people think ‘yoga,’ they often picture extraordinary flexibility – bodies twisted intoamazing postures. Fortunately, you don’t have to be naturally flexible to do yoga. With yoga’s gentle pace, your body can become flexible and strong at the same time. 3. YOGA for balance Yoga teaches balance in body and mind, both essential for overall health in hectic times. Good physical balance reduces the risk of injuries and life-threatening falls, especially for older people. Mental balance helps us survive the natural ups and downs of daily life. 4. YOGA for energy Yoga is an energizing activity – both physically and mentally. Yoga poses stimulate the flow of oxygen into the lungs and the flow of blood throughout the body. Traditionally, yoga classes also include a relaxation pose – time to breathe deeply and rest completely. 5. YOGA for stress reduction Numerous studies confirm that people who do yoga feel less stressed generally – and are better able to handle highly stressful situations. Yoga enhances your ability to concentrate (by paying attention to your breathing) – and to clear your mind of extraneous thoughts. 6. YOGA for every body A wide spectrum of yoga classes are available in this country. Some have a spiritual emphasis and include teaching about Eastern philosophy. Others focus on the health and fitness aspects of yoga. The key is to find a class or video that fits you and your lifestyle.