Soda and Sugary Drinks Lead to Dangerous and Life-Threatening Disease

In direct opposition to its reputation as a slice of good ol’ American fun, soda and sugary drinks provide both adults and children with a large list of very serious and life-threatening health problems.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, (CSPI), has presented a list of "Soda Facts 101" on their website, in conjunction with a very eye opening video about the real health risks attributed to the consumption of these types of beverages. Click here to learn more and see this important video:

http://www.cspinet.org/

Sugary drinks are the single-largest source of calories in the American diet. Those calories equal 38 pounds of sugar and are devoid of nutrition. Drinking just one or two of these beverages a day increases your risk for Type 2 Diabetes by 25%. Each sugary drink consumed per day increases a child’s risk of obesity by about 60%. Diabetes increases an individual’s possibility for amputations and erectile dysfunction. Obesity increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and many other health problems. These dangers can be easily avoided by eliminating these drinks from our diets. This is a very easy way to greatly reduce the risk of many of these dangerous and chronic illnesses.

Big soda would have us think differently. Our children see soda commercials and logos everywhere. They are on clothing, stuffed animals and featured as advertisers during children and youth television programs. By making the choice away from sugary drinks, we ultimately help our children avoid the awful outcomes of these diseases.

Locally, re:THINK Winnebago is active promoting health lifestyles and nutrition. Check out their EatSmart resources for dining out:

http://www.rethinkwinnebago.org/nutrition_initiatives.html

contributed by guest blogger Kim Hageman

http://www.survivingoshkosh.com/　

http://www.facebook.com/SurvivingOshkosh　

　

Doctors Prescribe Fruits and Vegetables to Encourage Healthier Eating

In a remarkable new program, Unity Healthcare and Community Non-Profits in Washington, D.C. is giving 35 families "prescriptions" for $60 a week in fruits and vegetables from local farmers markets. According to Mirna Valdez of Unity Healthcare, this will help patients understand the importance of a healthy diet.　 　

"It makes them feel like, they think medicine is important for their health, but also the vegetables", says Valdez.　

By honoring the prescription at 5 different farmers markets throughout the city, patients are also being exposed to the wide variety of produce that is available. For Janet Lopez, an eighteen year-old mother of two, she is already feeling the impact. She says, "I feel healthier because I’m eating stuff that I need and I should be eating".

To read the larger article and see the NBC Latino report, go to this link:

http://nbclatino.com/2012/07/31/doctors-prescribe-fruits-and-vegetables-literally-to-encourage-healthy-eating/

To see some of the healthy food initiatives in Winnebago County, click on the link here:

http://www.rethinkwinnebago.org/nutrition_initiatives.html.

MARC!

Partnerships work! Re:THINK, a program of the Winnebago County Health Department recently teamed up with the Oshkosh Area School District on a special project. MARC (Make A Right Choice) is an 8 foot tall kiosk installed with a video monitor, which will play Public Service Announcements and other important informational media. Beginning with topics such as the dangers of binge drinking, MARC will be seen in public places such as festivals, pools, parks and events. Shaped like a giant red exclamation point, you can be sure this will be a noticeable tool to help our community promote the importance of being healthy and substance free.

We thank the Oshkosh Area School District Woodworking Department for all of their energy and expertise in developing MARC! 

Synthetic Drugs Banned With New Federal Law

Have you heard the words “K2”, “Spice” and “Bath Salts” in recent news broadcasts and wondered what they were? These are names for dangerous synthetic drugs that have been sold over the counter in stores across the country. Poison Centers reported severe side effects from using these synthetic substances to include: increased blood pressure and heart rate, agitation, hallucinations, extreme paranoia and delusions, suicidal thoughts, combative/violent behavior and death or serious injury.

On July 11, 2012, President Obama signed the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 into law. This places these synthetic compounds under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act and will serve as a valuable tool in keeping these substances off the shelves. Although this law will have an impact on the sales of these drugs nationwide, Federal agencies will have to continue to update the list of banned substances, as new synthetic compounds emerge.

We are fortunate that our state and community was way ahead of the game! In February 2011, an ordinance was passed banning the sale of K2 in our local area. One year ago, in July 2011, our state passed a law to ban these synthetic drugs. As a community we need to remain watchful, as there will be new types of synthetics coming, and diligent, to make sure the new substances are banned. You can read more about these issues here: http://rethinkwinnebago.blogspot.com/2012/06/emerging-drug-threats-right-under-our.html.

We all need to get involved! re:THINK ,Winnebago's Healthy Living Partnership, has a Substance Prevention Committee that is open to anyone ready to join and welcomes new members. The next scheduled meeting is Thursday, September 20th, 1-3PM at the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office. You can also check out the re:THINK website for other ways to take action: http://www.rethinkwinnebago.org/take_action.html. Help push drugs out of our community now!

Kim Hageman
http://www.survivingoshkosh.com/
http://www.facebook.com/SurvivingOshkosh

Emerging Drug Threats: Right Under our Noses

Recently, I was part of a coalition that developed a fairly comprehensive toolkit on prescription drug abuse. I've since been fortunate to have the opportunity to travel throughout Wisconsin giving presentations on prescription drug abuse, and for each of these I start with the question, "When you hear the words 'drug abuse,' what drugs come to mind?"

Answers I always get include: marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other street drugs, but people never think of listing prescription drugs. Unfortunately, we can now also add a suite of new designer drugs to the list synthetic drugs like K2/Spice and "bath salts."

I can hear the sighs from here; another emerging drug threat? Yet another trend to keep up with, and even more substances to worry about when it comes to our teens' health and safety?

Many communities around the country are experiencing problems with several new synthetic drugs. I won't go into great length about what these products are and what the effects of taking them are, as The Partnership at Drugfree.org recently created an excellent parent kit on synthetics that gives details about these new substances and what you can do to prevent teens from using these drugs.

I will, however, tell you what they are. While these products are typically marketed like incense, potpourri or bath salts (the kind that you actually use in a bathtub), they are not intended for this type of use. Upon closer examination, the packets clearly do not contain any of these products. Here in Northeast Wisconsin, law enforcement agencies have recently been encountering these synthetic cannabinoids in convenience stores, smoke shops and adult toy stores. The prices for these products range from about $19.95 to $39.95 for a small three-gram container. Clearly, most consumers would not purchase three grams of potpourri or spa bath salts for that amount of money. These prices are actually more in line with traditional drugs such as marijuana or cocaine. Another frightening thought: since they are marketed as incense, potpourri or bath salts, anyone "regardless of age" can purchase them. We have actually seen these products in convenience stores at the counter right next to candy bars!

In March of 2011, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) enacted an emergency measure to place several of the compounds commonly found in these synthetic drugs on the controlled substances schedule. Here in WI, a law was passed last July to ban these compounds, and many communities have followed with the passage of local ordinances. One thing we have learned is that the manufacturers of these substances will place stickers on their products or provide lab reports that their product does not contain any of the banned compounds, but investigations from across the state have shown that products seized have tested positive regardless of the letters or stickers.

What does this mean for you as parents? It means that we need to work together to keep up on the current trends in substance abuse. It is an ever changing world for us parents. Between texting, smart phones and hundreds of channels on television, life has changed for many of us! Substances that are abused also change with the times. K2/Spice and "bath salts" have been an eye opener for not only myself, but many of my partners in law enforcement. The Wisconsin Crime Prevention Practitioners Association worked to create a drug bulletin highlighting these new threats to our youth. Law enforcement agencies across the country are taking steps like this to help their communities stay informed.
Stay educated, and remember to keep talking to the kids in your life about the dangers of these and other substances.

Written by guest blogger Jason Weber Community Liaison Officer with the Town of Menasha Police Department. This blog was featured on PACT360

Stay educated, and remember to keep talking to the kids in your life about the dangers of these and other substances.

Stay tuned for PSA's to be aired at Marcus Cinemas in Oshkosh over the Nov-Jan holiday season on prescription abuse prevention.

To Win, We Have to Lose: Weight of the Nation

If you have some free time this holiday weekend, and are planning on getting together for a traditional Wisconsin get-together complete will all the food you can eat, you might want to check out The Weight of the Nation series that was presented last month on HBO. The following blog was written by Julia Salomon, Corporate Dietitian and Nutrition Educator with Affinity Health System and a member of re:TH!NK's Nutrition, Obesity and Type II Diabetes Committee. Thank you Julia for your insight and attention to the matter. Happy Independence Day everyone!

According to a new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 42% of American adults will be obese by 2030. Currently 34% of adults are obese. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index or BMI of 30 or above.

Obesity seems to be rising among higher-income men while severe obesity (BMI greater than 40) is increasing in both sexes.　

Obesity is a serious condition that shortens life and leads to other chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease to name a few. In addition, the rising rate of obesity slows down efforts to limit health care costs; which have skyrocketed in the last few years. Some estimates cite that compared to healthy weight individuals, obese adults spend close to $1,500 more in medical expenses each year.

The obesity epidemic has been cited as one of the most pressing health issues facing the nation today. To draw attention to it, a national public education campaign was launched with the broadcast of a documentary called "The Weight of the Nation."　

The Weight of the Nation is a four-part documentary series. The first film of the documentary, CONSEQUENCES sets the stage, describing exactly how obesity has become so prevalent, how urgent it is that we battle obesity, especially childhood obesity, and presents the consequences of obesity on the future of our country.

The second film, CHOICES reveals the research behind weigh loss and weight loss maintenance and presents evidence based practices, what really works and what doesn’t work, to lose weight and prevent weight gain. 

The third film CHILDREN IN CRISIS, presents viewers with the compelling reality of childhood obesity; including how damaging obesity in children is and what it means for the future of these children. Some of the footage was filmed in Wisconsin and showcases some success stories from real Wisconsin families. This film portrays what forces are at work in our society that contributes to childhood obesity; from the school environment to community settings that limit opportunities for children to engage in physical activity. It also examines the power of marketing of unhealthy food to children.

The fourth film, CHALLENGES, explores the major forces affecting obesity including socioeconomic and racial disparities, lack of physical activity, the economics of food and agriculture, food marketing and the powerful influence of the food and beverage industry has on the American culture.

The documentary was produced in collaboration with the Institute of Medicine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and other health organizations and brings together representatives from the nations’ leading research institutions while portraying real life examples of people who are obese, what they go through and what they have done to battle this condition.

For more information on THE WEIGHT OF THE NATION, visit http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/

Tobacco Tax Loophole in Wisconsin Need Attention

It is common knowledge that tobacco tax increases provide a win-win-win solution for states. Every 10% increase in cigarette prices helps to reduce youth smoking by 7%, offering a health benefit. By increasing cigarette taxes, states enjoy substantial increases in revenue. Finally, the public supports these initiatives. Voters prefer raising tobacco taxes to other tax increases or reducing important education or public safety programs.

What may not be common knowledge is a loophole in Wisconsin law. Did you know some tobacco products are taxed less than cigarettes? Classified as "other tobacco products", these little cigars are functionally cigarettes, but are treated differently. "Other tobacco products" have no state law forcing them to be sold behind the counter. With a range of fruit flavors, they are intentionally made to look and smell like candy, but the truth is these are still dangerous tobacco products.

In May of 2011, pollsters found that nearly 8 in 10 voters favor a behind-the-counter proposal for candy flavored tobacco and 71% want to see all tobacco products taxed the same as cigarettes. We know this will be a win-win-win for Wisconsin, so let’s all support ongoing efforts towards legislative action to close tobacco loopholes.

Written by guest blogger Kim Hageman, author of Surviving Oshkosh

Obesity Will Costs Billions if We Don't re:TH!NK

Critical information was announced on the first day of the Weight of the Nation conference given by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 42% of Americans could become obese by 2030 and 11%, considered SEVERELY obese. Obesity is classified as being roughly 30 pounds over a healthy weight, where as severe obesity is roughly 100 pounds over. Eric Finkelstein, a health economist with Duke University Global Health Institute states, “The obesity problem is likely to get much worse without a major public health intervention”.

Extra weight increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, many types of cancer, sleep apnea and other chronic illnesses. The CDC estimated that medical related costs of obesity may be as high as $147 billion a year. An obese person costs about $1, 400 more in annual medical expenditures than someone who maintains a healthy weight. Preventing a rise in obesity rates over the next 20 years could save the country nearly $550 billion in medical costs during that timeframe. To read more, click here: http://rti.org/news.cfm?objectid=27AAE8B0-5056-B100-31BFBF89933EC3D3.

re:TH!NK volunteer bloggerKim Hageman

http://www.survivingoshkosh.com/ 

http://www.facebook.com/SurvivingOshkosh 

Preventing Obesity Requires Daily Caloric Reduction

In a new study published by the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, researchers have determined that in order to reduce obesity rates by 2020, children in the United States need to eliminate 64 excess calories per day. This could be achieved by decreasing caloric intake, increasing physical activity or both. Otherwise, U.S. youth will find themselves nearly four pounds heavier than a person of the same age in 2007-08, and more than 20% of young people will be considered obese.

http://www.rwjf.org/childhoodobesity/product.jsp?id=74186&cid=XEM_A5893.

re:TH!NK 420 -Winnebago's Healthy Living Partnership Holds Legislative Breakfast

On Friday, April 20, 2012, re:TH!NK, Winnebago’s Healthy Living Partnership, held a Legislative Breakfast at the beautiful Miron Construction facility in Neenah.  In attendance were Wisconsin State Senator Jessica King -D, Rep. Gordon Hintz-D and Rep. Richard Spanabauer-R, Penny Bernard-Shaber, police chiefs, prevention specialists and local mayors as well as community leaders from Winnebago County. Presentations were given on a range of topics important to re:TH!NK, including alcohol recovery, safe routes to school, school/community nutrition, healthy community planning, law enforcement partnerships for alcohol control, FACT (Fighting Against Corporate Tobacco) and the knowledge of 4/20 among school children.

This was an opportunity to let our legislators and community leaders know how these issues are directly affecting our community. To read more about how re:TH!NK Winnebago creates awareness on these and other topics, please go to our website: http://www.rethinkwinnebago.org/.

Don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/reTHINKwinnebago.

re:TH!NK Your Drink for April-It's Alcohol Awareness Month

Let’s Talk About Alcohol Usage During Alcohol Awareness Month!

Wisconsin has 1.5 times the National rate of arrests for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and more than three times the rate of arrests for other liquor law violations. Are you struggling with an alcohol issue, or unsure if it’s a problem at all? Maybe you have just never been caught? April is Alcohol Awareness Month, which gives us all an opportunity to examine our alcohol usage.

re:TH!NK, a Program of the Winnebago County Health Department wants to offer you some suggestions to help you avoid becoming a statistic. Maybe you are not sure if you are engaged in high risk drinking. Can you answer “yes” to any of these questions? Be honest. Your life, your future depends on it:
· Do you drink but are under the age of 21?
· Do you drink, but are pregnant or could become pregnant?
· Do you drink coupled with Rx usage?
· Do you behave unpredictably when drinking?
· When you drink do you have a hard time stopping?
· Do you drink even though court mandated to sobriety?
· Do you drink alone when you feel angry or sad?
· Does your drinking ever make you late for work?
· Does your drinking worry your family?
· Do you ever drink after telling yourself you won't?
· Do you ever forget what you did while you were drinking?
· Do you get headaches or have a hang-over after you have been drinking?
If so, check out the resources to help you think about this. This link can get you started: http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/handout.htm.

Maybe you are ready to deal with a serious drinking issue? Good for you! Click here to begin getting the help you need. re:TH!NK is interested in sharing resources that will improve the quality of life: http://www.rethinkwinnebago.org/alcohol.html. The purpose of Alcohol Awareness Month is to give all of us time to look at our alcohol usage, educate ourselves about the dangers of alcohol use and learn how to make safe, healthy choices. You can do this!

RETHINK

CDC Launches “Tips from Former Smokers” Campaign

On March 15, 2012, the Center for Disease Control’s Office on Smoking and Health launched a groundbreaking campaign to show the long term suffering caused by smoking. Called "Tips from Former Smokers", the campaign demonstrates what it is like to "live" with the adverse effects of smoking.　

Stomas, lung removal, heart attack, limb amputation and paralysis from stroke are just some of the horrible health effects these people have to deal with. Some people who are diagnosed with these life-altering conditions are less than 40 when they began suffering from very real health declines.

On a positive note, the campaign also serves to express that people can quit. By listening to tips from former smokers, the CDC is sending a strong reason to quit, as well as directing people to tools which will help them to succeed. Free resources are available by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW, or going to www.smokefree.gov. While smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States, this new campaign will show what life might look like for those who continue to smoke.

For more information, go to http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/index.htm.

Blog written by guest blogger Kim Hageman, author of www.survivingoshkosh.com

Changes in Federal Food Aid Program Spur Stores to Stock Healthier Foods

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Updates Improve Access to Fruits, Veggies, and Reduced-Fat Milk Without Costing Government or Families More　

A study published yesterday by the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that changes made in 2009 to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (often called the WIC program) prompted North Philadelphia corner stores, convenience stores, and bodegas that accept WIC vouchers to start offering healthier foods. The changes involved updating the selection of foods available to beneficiaries, commonly referred to as the WIC package. Prior to implementing the new regulations, the U.S. Department of Agriculture commissioned the Institute of Medicine to recommend ways to make the program healthier without making it more expensive for the government or families.


The study is one of the first to look at access to healthier foods as a result of the 2009 WIC program revisions, which represent the first changes to the WIC food package in 35 years. Although the study focused on stores in a small area of North Philadelphia, the revisions apply to food stores across the United States and could impact the availability of healthier foods for millions of women and children who participate in the program.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funded the study through its Healthy Eating Research program, which supports research on environmental and policy strategies with strong potential to promote healthy eating among children to prevent obesity, especially among lower-income and racial and ethnic populations at highest risk for obesity.

Post content from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Why Whitney Died

Why Whitney Died By Bill O'Reilly
2/15/2012
The media have no bleepin' clue how to cover the death of Whitney Houston. That's because she was slowly dying for years and many in the press simply averted their eyes.
It was ultra-disturbing that a beautiful woman blessed with an extraordinary singing voice chose a self-destructive path in full view of the world. I mean, here is a person who signed a $100 million recording contract, actually sold 170 million albums and commanded high six figures to deliver a 90-minute concert. Houston was a genuine international star, and yet she often was seen in public disheveled and confused, her substance addiction apparent. The media simply did not know what to say.
We live in a time in which addiction is categorized as a disease, and to do what Nancy Reagan once did and urge people to reject narcotics is considered uncool. How many young performers do we see doing public service announcements warning children to avoid intoxication? Right now, I can't think of one.
The national media pride themselves on being non-judgmental unless you are against abortion. Then you are dismissed as "anti-woman" or as a religious zealot. But in the arena of personal behavior, there's an excuse for just about every nonviolent activity and bad decision.
There is no question that some of us have a history of addiction in our families. There are folks who can use drugs casually and avoid dependence, but they are the exception. Once a person decides to dabble in cocaine, or opiates such as heroin and OxyContin, they are putting themselves at grave risk. And they know it. There are legions of famous people who wound up dead just like Houston. From Elvis Presley to Michael Jackson, the signposts are impossible to miss. No matter how rich and powerful you are, drugs can and will destroy you.
The current medical marijuana ruse is a great example of a society walking away from a responsible position. Ask any drug rehab counselor, and he or she will tell you that pot often leads a person to harder drug use and is mentally addictive itself. Yes, most people can function while stoned. But the more you alter your mind the more your perspective on life changes. Believe me, I know people who get stoned or drunk every day. They become incredibly desensitized to those around them.
On the kid front, the situation is dire. Once a child enters the world of intoxication, their childhood is gone. Presto, they are jaded. That's how dangerous drugs and alcohol are to immature minds. Society has an obligation to protect its children, not to tacitly accept or embrace mind-altering agents such as marijuana.
Houston, however, was an adult who made a decision to embrace the drug life. Reports say she tried to rehabilitate herself a few times, but you know how that goes. Once a person enters the hell of addiction, there is no easy way out.
And that's how the Whitney Houston story should be covered. As a cautionary tale. Another life vanquished by substance abuse.