Michelle Obama says Let’s Move!

Today Michelle Obama launched her campaign to solve the obesity epidemic in children over one generation.  Check out her interview this morning on Good Morning America and her new website where you can watch her live press conference at noon today.

FDA Working for a Stronger Food Safety System

FDA's Dr. Margaret Hamburg official portrait - Photo from Wikipedia

The Center for Strategies and International Studies (CSIS) Global Health Policy Center hosted an address by FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg entitled, “The Safety of Food and Drug Imports.”    I had the neat opportunity to attend for work! 

In her address she described the rising number of imports, which present inspection challenges for the FDA.  Dr. Hamburg stated massive changes are needed to keep up with this global trade world including development of collective and collaborative solutions with industry partners, the global regulatory community, and Congress to ensure safety.  These changes will involve moving from reactive to proactive approach through basic preventative steps. 

With a new sophisticated border inspection program called PREDICT, FDA will assist entry reviewers in targeting higher-risk shipments for examination by identifying the manufacturer, country of origin, recall history, and security risk posed.  By identifying patterns and assessment risk, this program will expedite the clearance of lower-risk cargo and destroy unsafe items before they become a problem in our food, drug, or medical device supply.  This program has been successfully tested in Los Angeles and FDA is confident it will be national by the spring. 

Following her keynote presentation, J. Stephen Morrison, Director of CSIS’s Global Health Policy Center, moderated a discussion between Reuben Jeffery III, Senior Adviser, President’s Office at CSIS; Thomas Bollyky, Visiting Fellow at the Center for Global Development; and Henry Chin, M.D., of the Coca-Cola Company.

Miss America offers advice on Obesity

On Saturday, Caressa Cameron, a 22-year-old broadcast journalism student at Virginia Commonwealth University, won the title of Miss America 2010 the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.   After host Mario Lopez asked her how to help America’s youth overcome the rise in obesity she was quick to offer the advice stating, “We need to get our kids back outside, playing with sticks in the street like I did when I was little,” she told judges.   Cameron went on to say, “Take away the TV, take away the video games,” and then she added with emphasis, “Set some standards for our children!”  This left me wondering if Miss America will use her crown to be part of the solution against childhood obesity?  Stay tuned.

Vitamin M

Michelle Making More Moves

First Lady's WH Meeting - Photo provided by Fox News

 Yesterday, First Lady Michelle Obama continued her siege against childhood obesity by meeting with US lawmakers and cabinet Secretaries to prepare an execution plan.  According to Fox those in attendance included Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack; Education Secretary Arne Duncan; and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. The crucial Congressional component: Senate Agriculture Chair Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Agriculture Committee Ranking Member; Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair; Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Ranking Member; Rep. George Miller (D-CA), House Education and Labor Committee Chair; and Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), House Agriculture Committee Chair.  According to Fox News, Ms. Obama stated, “Anyone who has access to children in their lives is going to have to work together. And one of the things that’s also very clear is that this problem won’t be solved by any single federal solution.”

Then today, Matt Lauer’s Today show interview aired in which first lady Michelle Obama addressed again her commitment to helping American families achieve healthy lifestyles and combat childhood obesity - a battle she calls ”solveable.”  Check out the interview here.

Meet my Guest Blogger: Becca Hannon

You Forever Slim Book edited by Becca Hannon, RD

Through my graduate program at Loyola University, I have had the opportunity to meet a variety of interesting and exciting women who work in various areas of dietetics.  One in particular is my friend Becca, a dedicated dietitian and lover of exercise.  Through our friendship we have survived the MS in Dietetics program and are just a few short months from our degrees.   

When Becca told me about her role in a diet book and asked me if I’d blog about it, I couldn’t help but think the coolest part about the book is that she had a role in it’s creation.  Please enjoy Becca’s story below and check out this exciting new book.

Best, Vitamin M

Some may think that I am slightly “nutty” to undertake all of the projects that I do.  But I have found that as long as I can watch some reality TV each day, I can find the energy to charge through.  I am a Master’s student at Loyola with Ms. Maggie, your beloved VitaminM blogger, and recently, I helped to edit a weight loss workbook.  I am a registered dietitian and have experience in several different dietetic realms.  Currently, I am the Director of Food and Nutrition Services as Rosecrance, an addiction treatment facility in Rockford, Illinois.  But, in the recent past,  I worked for a fitness center which may be familiar to Chicagoans, Fitness Formula Clubs.  While working at FFC in Oak Park, I helped hundreds of patients to lose unwanted pounds.  Not only do I have experience helping others, but I have also lost a significant amount of weight myself and have kept it off for 6 years…and I am proud! 
 
The diet workbook that I had a hand in producing is titled, “You Forever Slim” and was written by Dave Olsen.  Dave is an engineer by trade, but after discovering his love for creative writing, and marrying this with his own personal weight loss achievements, he bravely handed his engineering firm over to his son and wrote this diet workbook with the editing and writing assistance of healthcare professionals.  Some may refer to this as a “diet workbook” but, I have to say, I hate the term “diet” which is one reason why I am behind this book. This is a book that is meant to help those struggling with weight to create a healthy lifestyle one step at a time.  A lifestyle, as we all know, is something we can follow FOREVER. 
 
“You Forever Slim” is organized into 52 chapters, one for each week of the year.   This workbook is just that, and interactive workbook that is meant to be written in, to post pictures in, and to journal one’s progress to a successful, self-confident end. Each chapter introduces, and helps to apply, a new idea and/or approach to help incorporate health into everyday life.  Some of the chapter titles include, “Crazy Carbs,” and “Savor the Flavor,” and each has a progress check incorporated to keep the reader focused.  Each of these chapters incorporates a nutrition or lifestyle principle supported by dietitians and the American Dietetic Association.  Many of them helped me to get where I am today.
 
If you would like to learn more about “You Forever Slim,” please visit www.youforeverslim.com .  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via email at rhannon@youforeverslim.com.  I am very enthusiastic about this new venture and I have high hopes that this book will touch lives and leave a positive impression.

A team of Lady Leaders take on Obesity

Last night during President Obama’s State of the Union Address he acknowledged First Lady, Michelle Obama and said, “this year (she) is creating a national movement to tackle the epidemic of childhood obesity and make kids healthier.”

Leading ladies in the fight to end childhood obesity over the next generation. Photo credit from Zimbio.com.

Today, First Lady Michelle Obama, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin’s announced plans to help Americans lead healthier lives through better nutrition, regular physical activity, and by encouraging communities to support healthy choices.  At this event held at an Alexandria, VA YMCA, Michelle Obama remarks she will launch a major initiative on childhood obesity in the next few weeks in collaboration with HHS and Dr. Benjamin outlines The Surgeon General’s Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation.  The Surgeon General’s recommendations include:

Improving our communities – Neighborhoods and communities should become actively involved in creating healthier environments.  The availability of supermarkets, outdoor recreational facilities and the limitation of advertisements of less healthy foods and beverages are all examples of ways to create a healthier living environment.

Healthy Choices and Healthy Home Environments – Change starts with the individual choices Americans make each day for themselves, their families and those around them. Reducing the consumption of sodas and juices with added sugars; eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains; limiting television time; and being more physically active help us achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Creating Healthy Child Care Settings – It is estimated that more than 12 million children ages 0-6 receive some form of child care on a regular basis from someone other than their parents.  Parents should talk with their child care providers about changes to promote their children’s health.

Creating Healthy Schools – To help students develop life-long health habits, schools should provide appealing healthy food options including fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, water and low-fat beverages. School systems should also require nutrition standards and daily physical education for students.

Creating Healthy Work Sites – Employers can implement wellness programs that promote healthy eating in cafeterias, encourage physical activity through group classes and create incentives for employees to participate.

Mobilizing Medical Communities – Medical care providers must make it a priority to teach their patients about the importance of good health. Doctors and other health care providers are often the most trusted source of health information and are powerful role models for healthy lifestyle habits.

Please find below more details on this event in the news release from HHS: HHS Secretary and Surgeon General Join First Lady to Announce Plans to Combat Overweight and Obesity and Support Healthy Choices

To view The Surgeon General’s Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov.

First Lady Makes Nutrition her First Priority

First Lady Michelle Obama talking nutrition in VA with MyPyramid poster in the background- from Politico.

In today’s session with reporters at the White House, the First Lady confirmed she will be the Administration lead on the battle against childhood obesity.  In fact she said this would be a “major” project for her this year and went as far as saying she may even testify before Congress.  According to the Chicago Tribune, Michelle Obama will discuss childhood obesity next Wednesday in a speech before the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Additionally, she said she was looking to forge “public, private and non-profit partnerships as the epidemic of childhood obesity increases and as legislation overseeing federal-funded school lunch programs is up for renewal this year.”  Michelle has already proved to be a health nut by breaking ground with her white house garden and doing regular talks with school children on the importance of eating right.  She has even appeared on Iron Chef to encourage chefs to cook with produce and on Sesame Street encouraging healthy habits like exercise to Elmo.   I am looking forward to seeing more out of the box ideas on how she works to positively impact the health and nutrition of Americans.

Snacks on a Plane

In a recent post I suggested healthy snacks for a road trip and tomorrow as a head to what I hope is sunny Florida I am planning a few healthy snacks to bring along on the airplane.  By packing healthy snacks you are preparing healthy choices in case you are faced with the inevitable delay or just get plain hungry.  By planning ahead, you can easily avoid temptation by calorie-laden foods served or available in airports.

Vitamin M tip: Since you won’t be able to carry ice or gel packs on through security, non-perishable items are necessary.  However, if you do decide to pack along gel like foods (peanut butter for example) make sure it does not exceed the airports 3 oz. rule—this is important for portion control, too!

A few healthy snack ideas include:

• Granola or Cereal Bars (Remember read the labels to determine healthy choices!)
• Trail mix
• Pretzels
• Whole Fruit
• Single Servings of pre-packaged Peanut Butter
• Baked Chips
• Nuts
• Dark Chocolate
• Box of Raisins
• 100 calorie packs
• Peanut or nut butter and Jelly Sandwiches
• Pita Bread
• Hard boiled eggs
• String cheese (If you plan on eating it relatively soon after arriving at the airport)
• Ice tea, Flavor water, or Emergen-C mix ins for water

Don’t forget to pack napkins and any plastic utensils you may need.  Happy Travels!

NYC Sodium Reduction Initiative

On Monday, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced its voluntary sodium reduction initiative for restaurants and packaged foods, with the goal of reducing salt intake by 25 percent over the next 5 years.  Please find their press release located here as well as the sodium targets and categories for restaurant foods located here. The Health Department will solicit technical comments on the sodium reducation targets from the food industry on the sodium reduction targets and categories until February 1 through their Web site.  To learn more, check out yesterday’s articles featured in the New York Times & the Wall Street Journal about this endeavor, which could have serious implications for the food industry.

Culinary Inspiration

Julie & Julia has finally arrived on Netflix.  As I sit enjoying the movie (and popcorn!) with my family, my desire to attend culinary school grows.  Both Julie and Julia are far braver than me, I wonder if I have it in me?  You should check out the inspiration, too: