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HealthKick: Food & Fitness, By Jennifer Galea, MS, RD
Healthkick: Martial Arts Fitness Newsletter Articles © 2001 Professional Payment Systems
"Food and Fitness: Health for a Lifetime" is the theme of the Year 2000, according to the American Dietetic Association's (ADA's) National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics. This theme "emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition and physical activity at every stage of life," according to the ADA Courier.
The ADA is responsible for organizing the National Nutrition Month campaign. The campaign enables nutritional professionals around the country to coordinate special nutrition awareness programs throughout the month of March, "National Nutrition Month," each year.
The theme for the month, "Food and Fitness: Health for a Lifetime," will also be used by nutrition professionals around the country to direct their nutrition education efforts throughout the year. This year's campaign will also incorporate the following "key messages:"
1. "Healthy eating fuels physical activity at every stage of life." It doesn't matter if you are eight or eighty, eating right is key to being physically fit. Nor does it matter what your "physical activity" is, you must fuel it appropriately. Your nutrition and your activity must be in balance to maintain your physical abilities as well as your weight.
2. "Food and physical activity choices are personal." The foods you like and dislike are your own personal choices. The key is to incorporate a balance of all types of foods. Physical activity is also a personal choice: choose activities that you find to be fun and engaging, and that you can stick with.
3. "Food is a source of pleasure and good taste." Good food doesn't have to taste bad. Enjoy your food and enjoy your meal time.
4. "Staying fit improves your chances for a higher quality life." Not only does staying fit increase your chances of longevity (having a long life), but it may also increase the quality of your life, allowing you to enjoy doing all the things you love to do longer. Keeping fit can:
a. "improve your mood, reduce stress, and increase energy;" All of these improve your quality of life. Who doesn't want to be happier, more carefree and more energetic?
b. "reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes;" Exercising and eating right have been scientifically PROVEN to reduce the risk of these debilitating and potentially deadly diseases.
c. "help you look and feel your best;" How we look and feel can play a significant role in our self esteem and confidence, which in-turn effects our overall happiness in life.
d. "give you strength and endurance to do things you want to do." "Work hard! Play hard!" has been the motto of the 1990's. To enjoy life to its fullest you will want to live out your potential! The year 2000 is the time to face the fact that there is no such thing as good health without physical activity. Good nutrition and exercise go hand in hand in creating physical and mental fitness.