The Prevent Cancer Foundation Blog » Wellness

5 Tips for a Healthy Labor Day Weekend

PCF Admin — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 13:00:18 +0000

Labor Day is right around the corner, which means that many of you are gearing up for outdoor activities and cookouts. Here are a few tips to keep your Labor Day cookout healthy and safe!

Trim the Fat
If you do opt for red meat for your cookout this Labor Day, choose meats that are lean and free of any access fat. Not only can fat clog arteries, it can also increase your cancer risk. If you are going to grill meat, lower your cancer risk by not overcooking it, flipping the meat often and removing charred portions of the meat before serving.

Gorge on Vegetables
Skip the potato salad for a fresh green salad or grilled vegetables. Grilled corn, asparagus, eggplant and zucchini complimented with a marinade taste great or try a green salad with strawberries and goat cheese. These options are both healthy and tasty!

Try Desserts With Fresh Fruit
Skip the fatty cakes and ice cream for a dessert that’s packed with fresh fruits like our peach frozen yogurt. Fruits contain nutrients and vitamins that will give you energy for outdoor activities and will keep you cool in hot weather.

Don’t Forget the Sunscreen
Make sure you keep sunscreen (SPF 30) handy for your outdoor cookout. Even though the last days of summer are near, the skin damaging UVA and UVB rays are still in full force. Make sure to protect your skin by applying sunscreen every 2 hours even if it’s cloudy.

Drink Plenty of Water
Last but certainly not least, drink plenty of water. Stay hydrated to prevent heat related illnesses.

We have shared our tips for a healthy and fun Labor Day. What are some of your favorite tips for a healthy Labor Day?

Stay Cool While Exercising in the Heat

PCF Admin — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 10:00:45 +0000

It’s not unusual to see athletes pouring water over their heads after a workout, but does it offer any benefits to the body? Researchers at California State University conducted a study to find if there are any actual benefits to pouring water over one’s head during a hot workout.

Researchers gathered 10 well-trained athletes, fitted them with heart rate monitors and temperature gauges, and had them walk and run in a laboratory heated to 92 degrees. They then examined each runner’s body temperature and athletic performance with and without water.

The research indicated that dousing water on the head will not make an athlete perform better, but it will make exercising in the heat more tolerable. Daniel Judelson, a professor of Kinesiology at California State University, advises that if you enjoy exercising outside and have access to chilled water throughout your workout, it will benefit you to pour it over your head as well as drink it.

Read the full New York Times Article

Health Regulations Push Schools to Serve Healthier Lunches

PCF Admin — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 06:15:05 +0000

For the first time in over a decade, stricter health regulations have pushed schools to offer healthier lunch choices for students. Options will include more servings of fruit and vegetables and overall less saturated fat content. Many school systems are also increasing the number of dishes that incorporate vegetarian and whole grain options.

The recent government regulations are a result of the increasing obesity epidemic affecting school age children in the U.S. With one-third of all students aged 2 to 19 overweight or obese, school systems and health officials are targeting the sources of student meals and ensuring that students have every possible opportunity to eat healthy.

The move toward healthier lunches follows a ban on soda and vending machines that supply sugary and fatty foods. Schools have been scrambling to create educational programs encouraging students to make healthier food choices while making the switch to healthy foods as appealing as possible. Every effort is being made to include the most visually appealing and tasty dishes to promote both the school lunch program and overall healthy lifestyles. Read the full USA Today Article

Life Spans of Women Improving Slower than Men

Jim — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:07:13 +0000

On average, women in the U.S. are expected to live four years longer than men. According to a report by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, that gap may be shrinking as men’s life spans are increasing each year more than women’s life spans are. In over 650 counties across the U.S., women’s life expectancy has not improved since 1999 and in some cases it has worsened especially in Oklahoma, Tennessee and Georgia.

Nationally, men’s life expectancy increased by 4.6 years and women’s by only 2.7 years from 1989 to 2009. The article attributes the differences mainly to tobacco, obesity and alcohol – all preventable causes of death. More women are not addressing high blood pressure and cholesterol health issues while men’s symptoms are actively treated by a physician more often than women’s symptoms.

In 1989 there was a 8.7-year gap between the life expectancies of women and men. Now there is a 12-year gap. The article suggests improvements can be made through healthy lifestyle choices, education and improved health care.

Read the full USA Today article.

Heavy Doctors Less Likely to Discuss Weight Issues

Jim — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:00:32 +0000

A recently published study has found that overweight doctors are less likely to discuss weight loss with obese patients than those with normal body mass indexes (BMIs). The study also found that 37 percent of overweight doctors vs. 53 percent of doctors with normal BMIs were confident in their ability to provide patients with effective counseling about their diet or exercise (38 percent vs. 56 percent.)

The researchers surveyed 498 family doctors, internists and general practitioners early last year. One of the most significant findings revealed that 93 percent of physicians of normal body weight reported that they would be more likely to identify an obese patient when the person is as large or larger than they are. On the other hand, only 7 percent of overweight or obese physicians affirmed this statement.

Researchers speculate that doctors may have a skewed sense of what normal weight is if they are heavier themselves, or see many excessively overweight patients in their practices.

Read the full article at NPR.

Daily Feats Challenge: Stop Cancer Before It Starts!

Jim — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:22:58 +0000

While Sunday’s Superbowl festivities provided some exciting thrills and spills, the Monday morning hangover from consuming a mix of wings, pizza, beer and Tums may have left you feeling a little under the weather. Those New Year’s resolutions you just made last month probably already seem ages away.

Join the Prevent Cancer Foundation and DailyFeats to renew those promises of a happy, healthy new year and take the “Stop Cancer Before it Starts!” challenge. DailyFeats is a free website (and an app for your iPhone) where your earned points from completing positive actions can be used for rewards cards or, thanks to a partnership with Cigna, donate your points to support charities like the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Small, positive steps are key in achieving a goal, and DailyFeats helps you every step of the way, providing motivation and encouragement from community, family and friends.

You can greatly reduce your risk of cancer by taking simple steps like eating healthy, exercising, getting regular screenings and not smoking. Who knew that cancer prevention was that simple? Make the decision to own your own health and join Prevent Cancer and DailyFeats today to make (or renew) your commitment to a healthy, cancer-free future!