Read 'n' Seed 5: Fourth Quater of 100 Mile Diet

CHAPTERS AND PAGES: 

I read chapters December, January and Feburary, which led me up to the last page 252.

MAIN TOPICS:

*In December a main point the narrators highlighted was that when Alisa went to visit her grandmother, she was fed microwaved pasta and accepted it.  It was the first food not included in the diet and she almost vomitted because she wasn't used to the processed ingredients and taste, but choked it down to make her grandmother happy.
*In January the couple finds a resturaunt near by their home and figures out that everything sold there is completely locally grown.  They love the food so much, that they even try the beef there and love it.  It was their first time eating beef in countless years, since they have been vegetarians up until then.
*In Feburary the couple is invited to a wedding in Mexico.  While there, the couple realizes how the locals of Mexico eat and realize there needs to be a huge change in the way America's food organizations and distributors are organized.
*The couple also brings about the fact that by going on this diet made them realize what foods are seasonal and when they are optimal
*At the end of the book, the couple emphasize that they hope this story influences people to try to go on the localized diet, or try to mainly buy localized products to stop the big corporations from taking over.

SIGNIFICANT THINGS LEARNED:

*I decided to google how this book influenced the way food stores and markets changed after this book came out.  I found a website that found out that serveral farmers, gardeners, and food producers began offering services to deliver produce or urban farming or gardening services in the Vancouver area.  It just goes to show that once an important issue is made aware to the people of the public, that even if it's only a few people who make changes, we are still making our way to a large societal change.
*This section of the book also made aware that the average person in the United States meals consists of at least 1500 miles (at each ingrediant.)
*The January chapter brought about the idea why it can be a challenge to provide local food to consumers, such as:
-Weather conditions
-Seasonal foods
-Expensive
-Do not have machinary, so have to hand pick most produce-can be time consuming
*On the positive side, they also list some advantages for eating locally:
-help local economy
-locally grown food is almost always better for you and also tastes better
-Reduce global warming
-Local produce is much fresher
-Better for air quality and pollution
-More variety when eating local food
-Local fruits and veggies have longer to ripen

WHY SHOULD WE CARE??

*Like I've said plenty times, we should care about this to realize that huge food corporations are steadily taking over America's food corportion and distribution center.
*By eating locally we are reducing our carbon footprint, by lessening the amount of foods that have to travel over sea to reach our plate.
*By eating locally we are avoiding processed foods, which in reality we are watching out for our health and reducing our chance of obesity and preventable health related diseases such as heart disease and hypertension.

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 8: My SMART Goal

My SMART goal:  To get outside 3 times a week and engage in an activity for at least 30 minutes, such as biking, hiking, running, sledding, etc.

Successes and Challenges:  This week I faced a big weather challenge.  It has been really rainy for the past couple days and getting chilly out quick.  I got outside on Saturday and ran with my boyfriend for a half hour, but other than that I did not get outside.  Although, I decided to use the UMD gym and that was a great workout.  I ran on the treadmill and went on the eliptical and ended up being there for over an hour.  I also had a very busy weekend and week with a heavy load of homework, so that could be another reason why I didn't reach my goal this week.

Feelings Experienced:  As I have said over and over, whenever I exercise I always feel very refreshed!  I also enjoyed exercising indoors, which usually I do not do, but was a good change of things.  I was feeling pretty overwhelmed this week with homework, so getting outside wasn't number one on my priority list, even though it is an important factor of my week.

What did I learn:  I learned that some weeks are going to be busier than others, so you have to prioritize.  I also realized that I should have sat down with my planner and scheduled times and specific days of when I was going to exercise, since I was having a very busy week.  I also found out I do not like running in the rain!!!  I heard from a friend that she enjoys it much, but not me.

Plans for next week:  I figured that it is best for me to exercise indoors (unless it is nice out) until the snow comes.  I looked at the weather for the upcoming week and it looks like all rain!!  Boo.  Also, I think I may have some motivation problems on Thanksgiving Day, so I realize I most likely won't have the guts to get my butt off the couch and outside.  Since I am spending the next five days back home, I am planning to hit up the gym with my sister, since she usually goes a couple times a week.

Happy Thanksgiving break everyone!!

Advocacy Project: Issue Overview

INTRODUCTION

What is the problem?  That we need to promote health and reduce chronic disease associated with weight and diet.  Even more so, to reduce the proportion of children and adolescents who are overweight or obese.
What current legislation has been proposed to address this?  H.R. 3688 To encourage programs of health promotion or disease prevention.

WHO IS AFFECTED BY THE ISSUE?

Who is affected the most?  Statistics show that 1 out of 3 children in the United States are obese, according to KidsHealth, so just there a raging 33% of our population is being affected by this problem.  WordPress Blog states minority women are known to have a higher risk of becoming obese, rather than non-hispanic women.  And according to redOrbit, a study found almost 13 percent of Asian children were obese, along with 16 percent of whites, almost 21 percent of blacks, 22 percent of Hispanics, and 31 percent of American Indians.

Who loses and what do they lose?
In association with the above informaiton, people of American Indian, Hispanic and African American decent lose the most.  Also, people with low econmonic statuses lose too, because as we saw in class, wealth and health have a very positive correlation.  People with little money may lose their hope at staying healthy if they do not have the funds to do so.
Who wins and what do they win?
People with high statuses and wealth are more likely to "win" in this situation.  Wealthy people have the resources and opportunities that the poor do not.  As statistics show, people of Asian and White decent are more likely to win too.  They win the hope that being able to overcome a health problem because they have attainable resources and they also have the hope that they will not become obese since the statistics are low in their decent.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE ISSUE?

For the people mostly affected?
As American Academy of Pediatrics indicates, consequences of obesity in children list as: negative effects on their socialization, cardiovascular difficulties, hypertension, glucose intolerance, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, high blood pressure and diabetes.
For their families?
Families dealing with their obese children may have to spend their income on medical bills and may not have medical coverage.  It is also important to highlight that if one person in the family is a victim of obesity, it is very likely the others in the family have high risk of becoming a victim of that disease, as well.
For society?
Society is always spending millions of dollars engaging in research dealing with obesity in children and trying to campaign healthy eating habits.  For example, the National Cancer Organization spends 1 million dollars on their Eat 5 Servings a day campaign.  Society also have to pay with their tax dollars treatment plans for the obese and even medications.

WHAT IS THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE ISSUE?

What are the economic costs of the issue and who bears them?
-According to CDC, the commonality of obesity has a very overwhelming impact on the US health care system.  It is known that medical costs associated with weight problems, may include direct or indirect costs.  Direct costs are known as: preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services related to obesity. Indirect costs relate to morbidity and mortality costs.
-Research shows that 9.1% of total US medical expenses are due to obesity issues, that is $92.6 billion dollars.
-All US citizens who pay taxes and insurance bear these costs. 
What are the economic benefits of this issue and who benefits?
-Since obesity is becoming a well known deadly disease, more prevention campaigns are evolving, making it aware to people that this is a very serious issue that must be avoided at all costs.
-People on the way to obesity greatly benefit when they see these campaigns.  This type of information gets them to open their eyes and reach out for help, and also gives them the motivation that they can succeed.

WHAT IS THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE ISSUE?

What are the social costs of the issue and who bears these costs?
There are many negative social impacts of the issue as Natural Weight Loss states, such as children who are obese don't seem to socialize as much, they get made fun of more, and usually have very low self esteem.  It is also important to realize that obese people are usually labled as being lazy, which in some cases is not the problem.  Parents of children tend to bear these costs, and sadly, the children themselves.
What are the social benefits of the issue and who benefits?
One important benefit of this issue is that fast food resturaunts are starting to offer healthier meals and are making sure to list the nutrition facts.  It is great that resturaunts are actually setting aside the time to alter their meals and add options for the consumer.

WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS?

What are the barriers to addressing this issue?
-This is a lifelong treament
-According to Science Direct, barriers can include lack of recognition of obesity as a chronic condition, low socioeconomic status, time constraints, intimate saboteurs, and a wide range of comorbidities including mental health, sleep, chronic pain, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive and endocrine disorders.
How can they be overcome?
-To make the public aware of all the health problems associated with obesity!!!  It is so important to get the information there, because if society does not have any knowledge on this topic, they will not address their ways.

WHAT ARE THE RESOURCES?

What resources will we need to address this issue?
We will need advertisment campaigns, posterboards, forums, group meetings, maybe start a "avoid obesity club", and I think it is important to put reliable statistics and studies out to the public, to show how real this issue has become.
Where and how can they be tapped?
I think it is most important to get these resources out and about on college campuses, because that tends to be the time when some students start to lack nutritious foods and dwindle in their exercises.  I feel that addressing this issue in doctor's offices would be beneficial, as well.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THIS ISSUE?
What is the history of this issue in the community?
The rate of obesity in the US has been rising over the past years.  It has always been somewhat of an issue, but since recent times, it has turned into quite a problem.
What past effort was made to address this?
-Resturaunts have alterned menus
-Health classes highlight the issues relating to obesity
-Improving school lunches
-Maintaining gym classes at school
What were the results?
They have all helped some, but it doesn't seem like these efforts have stopped the rise of obesity in America.  If we keep bringing forth our efforts, I feel that hopefully we can turn this trend around and become a healthy America again.

ALLIES AND OPPONENTS

Who would support this issue?
I don't see why anyone would not want to support this issue.  It benefits society as a whole and if the rise of obesity can be decreased, I think any person in general would want that.  I feel that families with obese children would be the biggest supports and also people in the medical and health profession.
Who would oppose this issue?
I would say just the people who don't want to spend money on campaign ads and other resources to bring this change about.

MY RECOMMENDATION
I totally support the idea of trying to reduce the proportions of children who are overweight and obese, even if I have to give a little more tax dollars to the government, because in the end it will benefit sociey all together.