February is a month to continue to focus on any health goals you may have set at the start of the new year. Remember there is no better time than the present to prioritize yourself. As we strive to achieve overall health and wellness, this month reminds us of two very important health issues affecting many Americans.
February 5, 2010 is National Wear Red Day
The American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" campaign is a national movement to raise awareness on the importance of detecting heart disease in women. Heart disease remains the #1 killer of females, and can present itself in many ways and at any age. For this reason, it is important to focus on prevention and work toward living a heart healthy lifestyle. Knowing the risk factors for heart disease is essential in taking steps toward prevention. There are risk factors we cannot control such as age, gender, heredity and race. However, we can work to decrease and treat other risk factors such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure, smoking, physical activity, obesity, diabetes, stress, and eating habits. The American Heart Association offers a website full of information and resources, including recipes low in saturated fat and sodium and high in fiber. It is also important to work with your doctor and/or dietitian who can help you make lifestyle changes to decrease your heart disease risk. Remember to support the cause and wear something red on February 5th! February 21-27, 2010 is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week
Eating disorders present themselves in many different forms, with many different symptoms. Eating disorders do not discriminate, as they can affect both males and females of any race, children through the elderly, people of any socioeconomic status and at any IQ level. You cannot tell by looking at someone if they are struggling with Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder or the various forms of disordered eating that accompany the diagnosis of Eating Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (ED, NOS). Individuals struggling with any of these illnesses may keep their internal battles hidden from loved ones for years. Our limited knowledge and our hesitation to openly discuss eating disorders are contributing to the unfortunate stigma, guilt and hopelessness that often accompany these illnesses. In an attempt to increase awareness, the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) has declared February 21-27th a time to talk about eating disorders. According to NEDA statistics published in 2005, in the United States:- As many as 10 million females and 1 million males are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Millions more are struggling with binge eating disorder.
- Eating disorders are more common than Alzheimer’s disease (as many as 10 million people have eating disorders compared to 4 million with Alzheimer’s disease).
- Anorexia nervosa has the highest premature mortality rate of any mental illness, yet eating disorders in general are the most under-funded and under-researched of all the psychiatric illnesses.
For more information on eating disorders, as well as a discussion on heart healthy eating tips, attend our FREE nutrition seminar on February 19th at 4:30 pm.
This post was written by Kristine Van Workum, Registered Dietitian and owner of Brevard Nutrition, Inc. Kristine provides outpatient nutrition counseling for groups and individuals to help manage a wide variety of medical conditions. She specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, weight management and sports nutrition. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 321-327-7948, or visit her website.
