MCS Taking Nutrition to the Kids

I had the chance to read the Commercial Appeal and read the article "Steering back to good health," and was very excited to see that the younger generations will get a chance to learn more about healthy eating here in Memphis.  The Memphis City School, hired Tony Geraci, who's a national leader in nutrition. His previous post was in Baltimore, where he taught kids the importance of fresh, and nutritious food.  I think this is a great step for Memphis City Schools, to help our younger generations become more knowledgeable about eating right, before they're to old and learn bad eating habits.  The next step for Memphis City Schools, in my opinion, is to implement resistance training at least 2 days a week for 4th thru 12th grade.  Just playing dodge-ball, kickball, and/or not participating at all can't teach kids the benefit of healthy living.  Resistance training gives kids the ability to learn how to exercise properly too, and gain a healthy lifestyle.  Just like math, and reading, the earlier you learn it  the better you retain it.  The same goes for fitness, and that gives kids a better chance of not being obese, or becoming obese as an adult.  One thing I can say from this article is, Memphis isn't going to be the fattest city in the future, if we keep making steps to change our community.  Read the article & help make a change.

 

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/oct/24/editorials-steering-back-to-good-health/?partner=RSS

What's your number? Do you know your BMI?

Everyone should know his or her BMI. Why, you ask? What is BMI?  BMI is short for "Body Mass Index;"  This number will signal if you're overweight, obese or in a healthy percentage.  When you go to the doctor do you ever get your BMI from him or her?  A government panel met Monday and decided that all adult should be screened for obesity when they are doing check ups.  That mean more physicians should be calculating BMI for every adult that come in for a check-up.  In 2010 survey was done of the American   Academy  of Family Physicians that show only 40 percent of primary care doctors discuss patient's BMI.  

Yes, when doctors see that someone is in the category of obese they're not going to just suggest the patient go on a diet.  They're going to offer the patient  intensive nutrition-and-fitness help, because this is not only go to help the individual change his or her life but also help bring down the high obesity percentage.    

A normal BMI is less then 25, and obesity begins at 30.  In between these numbers you’re consider overweight.  Two thirds of American adults are overweight, and 17 percent of children and teens are overweight.    This makes children and teens more susceptible to having diabetes, heart disease and other overweight diseases before they turn 18 years old.  In the Academy of Family Physicians survey only a third of obese patients remember their doctor even talking about weight loss.  

I know people think if they offer BMI and talked about losing weight a lot of the doctors business will go away.  This is totally true, but I'm sure doctors aren't skipping this process because they want to keep patients.   My suggestion is don't rely on the doctor.  Instead ask him for your BMI when you go for your check up and make sure you know your number.  

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57460336/know-your-bmi-docs-urged-to-screen-for-obesity/