Family Doctor 2008

healthy living AMERICANS IN MOTION Taking control M.Ed., CHES ● Write down what you eat: how much, when and why. ● Use alternatives to eating when you’re not hungry: take a walk, play a game, read a book or call a friend. Sneak physical activity into your day: ● Go for a walk during your break or Being ﬁt isn’t about looking the part. It’s about sensible eating, keeping physically active and being emotionally healthy. Taking small steps can make a big diﬀerence. Don’t wait — start now! By Sarah McMullen, lunch hour. ● Use the stairs instead of the elevator. ● Do housework at a fast pace. ● Do yard work, or walk briskly while shopping. Cut 100 calories today: ● Snack on a piece of fruit instead of chips. ● Take smaller portions. ● Share your dessert. ● Leave the croutons off your salad. ● If you eat a candy bar, try the “fun-size” L ack of exercise, combined with a diet that is high in saturated fat, can increase your risk of serious health problems, instead of the regular size. Pass on healthy habits to your kids: ● Have fresh fruits, veggies and low-fat dairy including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke and cancer. The good news is that these diseases may be preventable. What can you do? The American Academy of Family Physicians encourages everyone — including your family doctor — to participate in the Americans In Motion (AIM) ﬁtness initiative. AIM’s goal is to improve the health of Americans by addressing physical activity, nutrition and emotional wellbeing for individuals, families and communities. AIM has developed Ready, Set, FIT!, a school-based education program that teaches 3rd- and 4th-grade students about the importance of ﬁtness through a balance of physical activity, nutrition and emotional wellbeing. If you’re a teacher, or if you have young children, visit the Ready, Set, FIT! Web site (readysetﬁt.org) for more information. AIM also offers other online resources to help you get ﬁt. The AAFP’s health education Web site, familydoctor.org, offers information about healthy eating, exercise and emotional wellbeing. You can print a journal that helps you track your physical activity and food choices. Share the journal with your family doctor. Talk with him or her about your progress and ideas to keep you motivated. You can also talk about healthy lifestyle choices you can make now to help prevent health problems down the road. products available for snacks. ● Be a role model for your children. Make physical activity part of your family’s routine. Walk after meals, play outdoor games or ride bikes together. ● Limit the amount of time your kids Healthy habits for life healthy life. spend watching television, using the computer or playing video games. Instead, play board games or do a puzzle to stimulate the mind. Sarah McMullen, M.Ed., CHES, is the Public Health Initiatives Manager for the American Academy of Family Physicians, headquartered in Leawood, Kan. ● Adequate rest and relaxation are key to a ● It’s true! Breakfast is an important way to start your day. ● Avoid “up-sizing” your favorite drink — 32oz. of soda has 400 calories! Choose water instead. ● Eat only at the kitchen table. Don’t drive, watch television or talk on the phone while you eat. ● Set goals you can achieve. For example, aim to eat one fresh fruit or vegetable to replace a high-calorie food each day. ● Record your physical activity: how long, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Americans In Motion (AIM) www.americansinmotion.org Ready, Set, FIT! http://www.readysetﬁt.org American Academy of Family Physicians http://familydoctor.org America on the Move http://americaonthemove.org Way to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition (We Can!) http://wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov how often and the intensity level. ● Eat only because you’re hungry, not because ● Build more physical activity into your day. For example, call a friend and plan a time to walk together. 40 familydoctor 2008 © WWW.123RF.COM you’re bored, tired or stressed. http://www.familydoctor.org http://www.americansinmotion.org http://www.readysetfit.org http://familydoctor.org http://americaonthemove.org http://wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Family Doctor 2008

Family Doctor 2008 Foreward Introduction Contents What Do You Want From Health Care? Confident Communication Need a New Doctor? Understanding Your Health Insurance OTC Safety as Simple as 1-2-3 The Fight Against Resistance Drug Interactions Prevention is Better than Cure Hitting a Home Run 'The Herbalist Will See You Now' Healthy Eating to Boost Your Heart and Health Exercise: The Elixir of Life Back from the Brink Taking Control Up All Night Vitamins and Minerals 101 Allergies: Combating the Causes Protect Yourself From Colds and the Flu Diabetes: Assessing Your Risk Dealing with Diabetes The Cholesterol Count Getting a Grip on Hypertension Facts About CKD Banish the Burn Easing the Pain Stop the Pounding Urinary Tract Infections: Common and Preventable Skin Essentials The ABCs of COPD Impotence: Tackling the Old Taboo Taking Responsibility for Your Health Prostate Cancer Screening: Is it For You? Protecting Your Prostate Heart Disease and Women: Know the Risks Birth Control to Suit You Maneuvering Through Menopause Help for PMS Infertility: Problems Having a Baby Preventive Health: What Women Need to Know Pregnancy: Taking Care of You and Your Baby Eating for Two Postpartum Mood Disorders The Basics of Breast Milk Newborn Screening Tests: Possible Lifesavers Common Newborn Conditions Childhood Vaccines: Why They're Necessary Food Allergies: The Facts Facing Your Acne Raising Grades Staying On Your Feet Age Gracefully: Take Care of Your Bones Battling Osteoarthritis Tackling Anxiety Beating the Blues

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