Wednesday, 18 June 2014

Princess Health and Princess Health andParents can help teens make healthy food choices this summer by strategically stocking the pantry.Princessiccia

A steady diet of junk food can be especially harmful to teens, who tend to experience a growth spurt during these years, and these poor nutritional choices as teens can affect their health in years to come, reports Newswise, a research-reporting service.

�While it�s important to eat healthy at every age and stage, the growth and physical maturation occurring during adolescence makes good nutrition all the more critical,� Kristen Kizer, a clinical dietician with Houston Methodist Wellness Services, said in the release. �Teens are growing, meaning that their cells are diving rapidly. This means increased calorie and protein needs, as well as increased need for vitamins and minerals like calcium, vitamin D, iron, and folate.�

So, as parents stock their refrigerators and pantries for the summer, it is important for you to remember to include healthy foods that are quick, easy and tasty to teens, while paying special attention to providing foods high in calcium and vitamin D.

Calcium and vitamin D intake should be of particular importance for teens because about half of peak bone mass occurs during the teen years, Kizer explains in the release. If teens don't get adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D, they can become adults with poor bone density, setting themselves up for osteoporosis and bone fractures in later years.

The National Institute of Health says teenagers need 1,300 milligrams of calcium each day. Kidshealth.org offers a list of foods that are high in calcium that includes dairy products, veggies including broccoli and dark green, leafy vegetables, soy products, calcium-fortified foods, beans and canned fish.

Parents and teens should also remember that good eating habits and a healthy weight are important to establish during the teen years because approximately 90 percent of overweight and obese teens will remain overweight or obese as adults, Newswise reports.

�Most teens aren't thinking about chronic disease 30 years down the road, reminding them that the foods they choose now have an impact on their appearance, athletic performance, or academics can help them make healthier choices,� Kizer says in the release. �Girls especially may be struggling with body image issues, so helping them select foods that will make them physically feel well can also improve their mood and emotional health.�

Kizer's suggestions for healthy food choices:

  • Guacamole, made from a jar of salsa and avocados, and baby carrots. The vitamin C in the salsa will keep the guacamole from turning brown and the healthy monounsaturated fat from the avocado will keep your hungry teens satisfied.
  • Whole wheat rotini and veggies and pasta sauce, all mixed together and ready to heat. This meal provides fiber, magnesium, manganese and selenium.
  • Greek yogurt with fruit. The added protein from the Greek yogurt will keep your hungry teen full and he or she will also be getting fiber from the fruit, as well as vitamin C, potassium, folic acid, and calcium.
  • Cereal. Look for cereals that include no more than 6 grams of sugar.
  • Baked chips instead of full-fat chips.
  • Low-fat ice-cream sandwiches or 100 percent frozen fruit bars.
  • Whole-wheat thin crust pizza that features veggies rather than high-fat meat like sausage and pepperoni.

Princess Health and Princess Health and30 participants contribute to 'Expressions of Courage' art exhibit at UK cancer center for National Cancer Survivorship Month.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health and30 participants contribute to 'Expressions of Courage' art exhibit at UK cancer center for National Cancer Survivorship Month.Princessiccia

The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center held its first "Expressions of Courage" event, an art exhibit showcasing art connected to an experience with a cancer diagnosis or created in memory of a Markey patient, on June 6 as part of National Cancer Survivorship Month.

The artistic entries from the 30 participants who responded were on display in the Combs Research Building at Markey. They included paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, and quilting as well as performing and literary art performances, Allison Perry and Abby Besson report for UKNow.

"The artwork is very moving and inspiring, and actually will bring tears to your eyes if you read some of the pieces," Cindy Robinson, a nurse practitioner at Markey and one of the organizers of the event, told the authors. " We have some pieces here from patients that are no longer with us, and we personally know those people."

Expressions of Courage was made possible by gifts from the Markey Cancer Foundation and Biological Systems Consulting, Inc.

Norton Cancer Center and Markey patient Phillip Meeks contributed a drawing created by his daughter depicting the "unlikely good fortune of his treatment."

Meeks was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2012 and required a bone marrow transplant to survive, the authors write. As an African-American - a population that makes up around seven percent of the bone marrow registry - and an adoptee without biological siblings or parents to get tested, the odds of finding a match were against him.

Upon admission to the hospital, Meeks found a token underneath his hospital bed that said "Believe in Miracles" on one side and "Faith" on the other. He told the authors that he took this token as a sign from God that he wasn't alone and to not be afraid. This token was the inspiration for his daughters art.

Meeks received his life-saving transplant in January 2013. He told the authors that not only was Expressions of Courage a day to showcase talent, but a day survivors could show their appreciation to the staff of Markey.

"I just want to give back," Meeks said. "That's my big thing. How can you thank so many people that are involved in saving your life? There's not a gift that you can give that's big enough. Hopefully this is my one little piece to say thank you for everything that everybody has done for me."

Princess Health andRecap: #MikeVsDave.Princessiccia

The epic battle of #TeamMike vs. #TeamDave has come and gone.  Who was the victor?  Here is a breakdown of how the event transpired:


Play-By-Play:
  1. First across the line for both teams was the talented RunnerRob for #TeamDave.  He posted an excellent, sub-34 time.  First across the line for #TeamMike was Coach Sean with a time of 34:34.  This gave #TeamDave an early lead.  Time Gap: 41s, #TeamDave leading
  2. Once the second place runners on each time crossed the finish line, #TeamMike took the lead!  Coach Dyce from #TeamDave just missed his PB, running an impressive 36:14.  Brendan, from #TeamMike countered with an impressive 34:57 PB.  Time Gap: 36s, #TeamMike leading
  3. IronLuke and Ahmed Ahmed (Young Blood) were up next.  Luke managed to post an epic 36:46 PB for #TeamMike.  Ahmed countered with a great time of 37:47.  Time Gap: 1:37, #TeamMike leading
  4. Sitting 1.5 minutes behind with only 2 runners to go, #TeamDave was going to have stage a tremendous comeback to put themselves in contention.  Up next was Chris Goldsworthy for #TeamDave, posting a solid 38:09 PB to counter Pat's 38:54 for #TeamMike.  This brought to two teams closer, with only one runner to go.  Time Gap: 52s, #TeamMike leading  
  5. Captain of #TeamDave, ENDURdave himself, was the next to come in for his team.  He finished with a time of 38:20.  Now, all that needed to happen was for somebody on #TeamMike to finish with a time of 39:12 or faster.  As everybody anxiously watched the clock, we saw Nick Burt from #TeamMike sprinting his way around the track.  For a while it seemed like he might make it just in time!  But, still with 50m to go, the clock hit 39:12- Nick finished with a great time of 39:22.  Time Gap: 10s, #TeamDave WINS 
In an shocking, come-from-behind fashion, #TeamDave came out on top by a mere 10 seconds total (average 2 seconds per athlete).  HERE are the full team results.

It was a well earned win, and they did not hesitate to bask in the glory of their victory:




Other Battle Results:
#TeamDave did not leave with the team battle win, but also a number of individual battle victories.  Dan (from #TeamDave) walked away on top after his #SameVsDan battle, and Manny (again from #TeamDave) walked away with the win in the #MannyVsHowie battle.  All of the results were quite close, but #TeamDave simply seemed to have the advantage today!  

Tuesday, 17 June 2014

Princess Health and Princess Health andSome school districts reject federal offer of free lunch for all students, saying schools would lose money on the deal.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health andSome school districts reject federal offer of free lunch for all students, saying schools would lose money on the deal.Princessiccia

Some school districts are rejecting a federal program that would provide free meals to all students in districts with a certain percentage of students in poverty, Jared Nelson reports for The Times Leader in Princeton, after the Caldwell County Schools decided against joining the Community Eligibility Program.

�Right now, we are not at the economically feasible point to do that. We would lose money,� District Food Service Director Will Brown told Nelson.

Nelson writes, "The district�s food service program is largely self-sufficient, earning income based on students and teachers who pay full-price for meals, and federal reimbursement for those meals and those provided to students qualifying for free or reduced-rate lunches."

If everyone gets a free lunch, �You are losing all of your students on full paid status,� Brown said. �You�re losing that revenue.� He said the number of qualifying students is �not high enough to do that.�

In other words, Nelson writes, "Having a percentage sufficient to qualify ... is different from having a percentage that would make the program viable locally. . . . Brown said other districts have signed on to the CEP program in prior years and been adversely affected. . . . The revenue earned each year allows the food services department to be able to use its own funds to cover the costs of most repairs, new equipment, and other expenses required during the school year and in the summer.

The program "is expanding nationwide this year, after being tested in 11 states, including Kentucky," Nelson notes. Qualifications are based on students in households in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps), the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program, certain Medicaid recipients and foster children. (Read more; subscription required)

Monday, 16 June 2014

Princess Health and Princess Health andHow to keep kids safe from traumatic brain injuries this summer.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health andHow to keep kids safe from traumatic brain injuries this summer.Princessiccia

About 1.7 million people in the U.S. suffer a traumatic brain injury each year, and nearly half a million children under 15 visit an emergency room for TBI. A brain injury is traumatic if it disrupts the normal function of the brain.

Dr. Michael Egnor, vice-chairman of neurology at New York's Stony Brook University Hospital and director of pediatric neurosurgery at Stony Brook Children's Hospital, provides ideas for how parents can help protect their children from brain injuries this summer.

Families are going on more bike rides, but not everyone knows that bicycle accidents are most likely to happen within five blocks of home. "Make sure your child wears a helmet every time he or she rides a bicycle, scooter or skateboard," Egnor said. "We're seeing the most head injuries right now in skateboarding, especially in young teens, who might think it's just not cool to wear a helmet."

Each year more than 200,000 children suffer from injuries on playgrounds in the U.S., according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The main cause is falls. Egnor suggested looking for shredded mulch, pea gravel, crushed stone and other loose surfaces and being extra careful on asphalt and concrete.

Parents with older children and teens should be aware of possible diving accidents. "In about 50 percent of cases of catastrophic injuries, alcohol or drugs is involved," Egnor said. "Ensure that responsible adults supervise pool parties and other events where swimming and diving are involved."

Egnor also warned of concussions during summer sports. He said, "The few serious injuries we treat from organized sports are usually accidents that probably could not have been prevented," he said, while many of the concussions he treats are mild because many sports require helmets.

Dealing with serious injuries quickly is key, Egnor said. "The full extent of the injuries may not appear immediately." (Read more)

Princess Health and Princess Health andPanel of physicians at national conference discuss future of rural primary care, how to solve doctor shortages.Princessiccia

More needs to be done to address the shortage of primary-care physicians, a big problem in rural areas and much of Kentucky, according to a panel of physicians at "Rural Health Journalism 2014," Kris Hickman writes for the Association of Health Care Journalists, which sponsored the conference.

Almost half of rural U.S. counties, 44 percent, struggle with primary care physician shortages, said Andrew Bazemore, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Family Medicine and Primary Care of the American Academy of Family Physicians. According to a presentation at the 2013 Kentucky Rural Medical Educators Conference, Kentucky had a 1,287:1 primary care physician to citizen ratio, which is 557 short of the national average.

The national shortage is expected to worsen soon because almost 27 percent of those providers are older than 60, said Mark A. Richardson, M.D., dean of Oregon Health and Science's School of Medicine.

Bazemore said the medical community needs to draw more attention to the need for more primary care physicians in rural areas. He also said that for every dollar spent on health care, only six or seven cents are spent on primary care. "States facing a shortage should remember that primary care is the logical basis of any health care system," Bazemore said.

Richardson recommended that medical schools try to recruit students who have rural backgrounds because they're more likely to return to practice in rural areas. He and Bazemore agree that students who practice in rural areas should be given loan forgiveness or scholarships. "Debt prevents many people from choosing primary care," Bazemore said.

Richardson said the most important factor for where medical students end up practicing is where they completed their training. "Rural training is one of the highest predictors of a rural practice and should be required," he said. To do this, the government-imposed cap on graduate medical education spending would have to be abolished.

"Medical care is not a free market dynamic," Richardson said. "We pay for health care transactions, rather than health." (Read more)
Princess Health and Princess Health andStudy concludes that fasting can reduce cholesterol levels for people in danger of developing diabetes.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health andStudy concludes that fasting can reduce cholesterol levels for people in danger of developing diabetes.Princessiccia

New research suggests that occasional fasting can help pre-diabetics from developing diabetes, which is more common in Kentucky than most states.

After 10 to 12 hours of fasting, the body looks for other energy sources to sustain itself, so it removes LDL (bad) cholesterol from fat cells and converts it into energyaccording to researchers at the Intermountain Heart Institute at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah.

"Fasting has the potential to become an important diabetes intervention," in addition to lifestyle changes and weight loss, said Benjamin Home, the lead researcher.

The study focused on prediabetics between the ages of 30 to 69 with at least three of the following metabolic risk factors: a large waistline, a high triglyceride (type of fat in the blood) level, a low HDL (good) cholesterol level, high blood pressure and high blood sugar after fasting.

"Over a six-week period cholesterol levels decreased by about 12 percent in addition to the weight loss," Home said. "Because we expect that the cholesterol was used for energy during the fasting episodes and likely came from fat cells, this leads us to believe fasting may be an effective diabetes intervention."

The removal of LDL cholesterol from the fat cells for energy use should help stop insulin resistance, which happens when the pancreas keeps producing more and more insulin until it can't make enough for the body, and the blood sugar rises. "The fat cells themselves are a major contributor to insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes," he said. "Because fasting may help to eliminate and break down fat cells, insulin resistance may be frustrated by fasting."

Home noted that although fasting might be effective for protecting against diabetes, the results were not immediate. "How long and how often people should fast for health benefits are additional questions we're just beginning to examine." (Read more)