February 26, 2010 | filed in: Healthy Kids
We’re helping the first lady tackle childhood obesity
Childhood obesity is a serious problem across our nation. Fortunately, help is coming, with the first lady herself joining the fight.
Michelle Obama was recently named honorary chair of the newly formed Partnership for a Healthier America. Founded by six leading foundations and nonprofits, including Kaiser Permanente, this organization was formed to combat childhood obesity.
The four pillars of the first lady's plan
Earlier this month, Michelle Obama laid out the four pillars of her nationwide initiative to fight childhood obesity. Her "Let's Move" campaign will address the issue in the following four ways:
- offering parents the tools and information they need to make healthy choices for their kids
- getting healthier food into our nation's schools
- ensuring that all our families have access to healthy, affordable food in their communities
- increasing opportunities for kids to be physically active, both in and out of school
Good health is in our DNA
"In every community we serve, Kaiser Permanente works to fight obesity, reduce health disparities, and make healthy food and physical activity a part of everyday life," said Raymond J. Baxter, PhD, Kaiser Permanente's senior vice president, Community Benefit, Research and Health Policy.
From extending access to public pools and providing swim lessons for thousands of Southern California families through Operation Splash to sponsoring farmers' markets in local communities across the country, we've long supported healthy eating and physical activity as part of our integrated approach to combat childhood obesity.
Ultimately, our biggest partner in this battle is you. Visit our Healthy Kids section for a collection of helpful posts, including how to determine the appropriate weight for your child by calculating their body mass index.
To read our full statement on this important issue, visit our News Center.
February 23, 2010 | filed in: Healthy Kids
Mix fresh, frozen, and canned in your winter menu
In different parts of the country, the selection of fresh fruits and vegetables can be limited in the winter. So what's the best way to keep you and your family eating healthy throughout the season? Try a mix of fresh, frozen, and canned produce.
"Fruits and vegetables provide your body with the nutrients you need to stay healthy and fiber to maintain your digestive system," says Terri Simpson-Tucker, RN, MSN, assistant administrator of support services and executive sponsor of the farmers' market at our San Jose Medical Center.
During the winter, when sweets and high-calorie snacks are plentiful because of the holidays, maintaining a balanced diet is more important than ever. Simpson-Tucker offers these tips to help you mix in these three produce options.
Fresh
The healthiest option, of course, is locally grown produce picked at the peak of the season. In-season fruits and vegetables are also good for the pocketbook because when produce is abundant, prices are usually lower.
But many farmers' markets close for the winter, and large chain grocery stores tend to stock mostly imported produce, which can be more expensive. Now might be a good time to explore independent or ethnic grocery stores near you for fresh greens, reds, and yellows. These stores often carry produce from smaller suppliers, so the prices are often competitive. You might even discover something new for the menu.
Frozen
According to a 1998 report by the Food and Drug Administration, frozen fruits and vegetables are nutritionally comparable to their fresh counterparts. However, variety can be limited. Frozen green beans are plentiful, but bok choy might be a little harder to find.
So why not enjoy a taste of summer when the weather outside is frightful? Frozen summer berries and peaches (look for no sugar added) can be defrosted for a healthy snack or blended for smoothies. You can also experiment in the kitchen by replacing fresh ingredients with flash-frozen ones for your favorite dishes. Look up great seasonal recipes and see what ingredients you can swap out with produce from the frozen food aisle.
Canned
Like frozen produce, canned fruits and vegetables are picked and packed at their peak. The heating process in canning destroys some vitamins, but the majority of nutrients remain. In fact, the process of canning can release higher amounts of certain nutrients in some foods, like lycopene in tomatoes, than if they were eaten fresh.
When shopping for canned goods, look for veggies without added salt, and fruits canned in natural juices. Canned beans are a great protein-packed option over dried beans if you're short on prep time: simply drain and rinse well to remove most added salt. Try this recipe featuring canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans) to spice up your winter.
Whether fresh, frozen, or canned, make sure you eat two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables every day. Keeping a balanced diet this way might even help you keep the winter weight at bay.
February 19, 2010 | filed in: State of Health
Dispatches from Haiti
Since the devastating earthquake in Haiti, a number of Kaiser Permanente physicians and nurses who are trained in disaster relief have been on the front lines, helping in every way possible.
Many of our caregivers are sharing their moving, firsthand stories on the blog "Dispatches from Haiti." Visit the blog for updates, and feel free to leave an encouraging comment.
For Kaiser Permanente employees
Literally thousands of Kaiser Permanente employees have expressed interest in joining the relief effort. Physicians, nurses, and other support staff should visit the “For the People of Kaiser Permanente” section in the right navigation of the blog for a link to an internal site where you can learn more about the relief efforts and how to get involved.
February 11, 2010 | filed in: Exercise & Fitness
5 training tips that can help you reach your peak
Mike Kosel has set out to climb some of the world's highest mountains, and he's learned a few things along the way. His insights might inspire you to take your current exercise routine to the next level—or to embark on a whole new fitness challenge.
- Set realistic goals. Kosel didn't try to summit the world's tallest peak his first day out. He worked his way through increasingly challenging climbs over several years. He feels that setting realistic goals in the short term is the best way to reach your final objective.
- Educate yourself. Know what you need to succeed. For Kosel, having the right gear and knowing how to use it has been essential to his survival. Equally important, he believes, is learning how to deal with all kinds of situations, from twisted ankles to surprise weather.
- Train your body. The casual gym-goer can't become a high-caliber athlete overnight. Training has been an important part of Kosel's successes. "If you're not used to hauling 60 pounds of gear up a mountainside," he says, "that's something you need to train to do."
- Mix it up. Regularly switching up your exercise program is key to increasing your fitness level. If you always bike, try running a few days instead. Kosel likes to keep his body in a "state of confusion" by always working different muscles and keeping them on alert.
- Don't be afraid to fail. It's important to know your limits and when you should stop pushing forward. "As hard as it can be to turn back, it's important to remember that the mountain will be there tomorrow, and the next day, and next week, and next year," says Kosel. "Failure is okay, as long as you keep trying."
Kosel is an IT professional with Kaiser Permanente in Colorado. He regularly commutes to work by bike, skis, or snowshoes, and his weekday workout includes cardio activities and weight training at the gym. On weekends he often takes part in cycling events, and whenever he can he heads for the mountains. Read Kosel's story.
