For Immediate Release
February 28, 2003
Contact:
Rosalind M. Wilkins, MS, RD, LD, Bureau Chief
Bureau of Nutrition Policy and Education
Division of Nutritional Health and Services
573-751-6183
Celebrate National Nutrition Month® by visiting DNHS website
this month
National Nutrition Month® in March is being celebrated in
a big way at the Missouri Division of Nutritional Health and Services,
where the goal of properly nourished Missourians is an everyday
concern. DNHS has joined with the American Dietetic Association
in promoting this year's theme¾Healthy Eating, Healthy
You.
Good nutrition requires a community-wide commitment that is most
effectively approached in partnership with families, schools,
business establishments and the public sector. Keeping this in
mind, starting March 1, DNHS is devoting a portion of its website
(http://www.dhss.state.mo.us/MissouriNutrition/index.html)
throughout the entire month to help celebrate. Parents and children,
teachers and students, clinicians and patients, older citizens
and teens, employers and workers-all will find something. Spanish-speaking
citizens will find a spot devoted to helping them improve their
nutrition.
Follow Food Guide Pyramid to a healthy life
An overall healthy lifestyle is the key to feeling great and being
the best at work and play. It all starts with a healthy eating
plan, which can be accomplished by simply following the Food Guide
Pyramid and incorporating a variety of foods into a daily diet.
Website visitors may download the official Food Guide Pyramid.
Proper nutrition begins early in life
Even before conception, proper nutrition is important to ensure
a healthy pregnancy. Following birth, DNHS supports the recommendations
of the American Pediatrics Association, which encourages breastfeeding
as a superior source of nutrition for an infant. A direct link
to a comprehensive article on breastfeeding is provided.
Play is an important way for a child to learn. Games, puzzles and quizzes are available from the website to teach children that variety is the spice of life when it comes to food choices. Food trivia and memory games also entertain children as they learn more about proper nutrition.
More tools for helping to teach children are also featured on the site for teachers and parents.
Books for children from preschool to 12 years old are listed.
There are also animated stories about the importance of breakfast
as well as a page illustrating proper serving sizes.
Older adults need special nutrition advice
As the life cycle continues, nutrition needs change. There is
a special Food Guide Pyramid available on the website that is
designed specifically for older adults. To stress the importance
of fluids to prevent dehydration, a common problem in seniors,
the base of the pyramid is eight glasses of water.
Healthy employees are more productive
Whether it is making certain that a company's cafeteria offers
nutritional food choices or whether it is a once a week e-mailed
health tip to the staff, the efforts are worth it. Employers will
find comprehensive information on the importance of maintaining
a healthy workforce.
Healthcare professionals can update their nutrition knowledge
DNHS staff has also scanned the Internet and arrived at a number
of informative sites with nutrition information geared specifically
for healthcare providers. There is a listing of "dietetic
cybersites" as well as information on vitamins and minerals.
In addition to links to the latest in proper nutrition, there
is a link to DNHS's Obesity Resource Data Bank (http://www.dhss.state.mo.us/MissouriNutrition/resources_obesity_db.htm)
to assist healthcare professionals and others in combating the
growing epidemic of obesity that is at the root of numerous acute
and chronic illnesses.
Free community-based broadcast offered
Community-based groups have an opportunity to participate in a
free satellite broadcast with tips on how to promote the consumption
of fruits and vegetables in low-income communities. The conference
is being held by the New York State Department of Health and its
featured speakers include: Odette Butler, BA, Cornell Cooperative
Extension, Jefferson County, New York and Theresa Murphy, MS,
RD, United Way of New York City.
The conference, which will be held 8:00 - 9:00 a.m., March 20,
will focus on effective collaborations to increase awareness and
individual investment in vegetable and fruit consumption in community
programs. The speakers will discuss the need to ensure nutritional
quality and low cost, innovative programs and initiatives to improve
the distribution and preparation of fresh vegetables and fruits
in the emergency food systems that serve many seniors.
Individual community groups such as civic organizations, schools,
healthcare agencies and hospitals may participate in the free
satellite broadcast by registering at http://www.albany.edu/sph/coned/t2b2.html.
Information about taping the program for future showing may also
be obtained on the website. Interested groups should register
at least a week in advance in order to receive materials.
For more information on all of the DNHS programs, contact Rosalind
M. Wilkins, MS, RD, LD, chief, Bureau of Nutrition Policy and
Education, DNHS, at 573-751-6183.