The diabetes statistics in Willmar are staggering. As with much of Minnesota, there are many diabetic patients and many people who are at high risk factors for diabetes. Willmar has the much needed Willmar Diabetes Center which was established in an effort to provide care for diabetics. In addition, the Willmar Diabetes Center provides nutritional therapy and education for diabetics so they can obtain the knowledge necessary to take the best care of themselves possible.

Statistics in Willmar

The statistics in Willmar regarding diabetes provide an understanding of how many people are affected as well as predictions for future statistics based on current trends. The number of individuals with diabetes in Willmar continues to grow, as does the number of patients across the nation. The predicted increase by 2050 is that 1 in every 3 Americans will have diabetes. The adult diabetes rate in Willmar is at 7% and continuously growing.

Willmar Diabetes Center

The Willmar Diabetes Center (WDC) promotes healthy lives for diabetics. With many goals, WDC believes that knowledge is necessary for those who have diabetes and for the doctors who treat them. WDC wants all diabetic individuals to experience the highest quality of life during every stage of their diagnosis. Willmar Medical Services, Rice Memorial Hospital and Affiliated Community Medical Centers combined efforts to create the Willmar Diabetes Center. Together they are positively impacting the citizens of Willmar who battle with diabetes.

On-going Care

On-going care provided by the WDC includes many options for diabetic patients. The WDC provides patients with consultations with specialists who assist with formulating a plan specific to their individual assessment and the health of the patient. Diabetic patients are taught how to effectively monitor their blood sugars and how to make the appropriate changes needed when maintaining their insulin. Heart health is also promoted and taught to diabetic patients as on-going care. Those who have insulin pumps and sensors are taught how to properly use the devises as needed.

Testing Blood Sugar

Because diabetes causes excessively high glucose levels in the blood stream, testing blood sugar levels is an important process for diabetics. Thanks to technological advances over the last several years, testing blood sugars can be done at home with a blood glucose monitor. For diabetics, it is imperative for their health that they know what their blood sugar levels are so they can determine the best course of action to keep them balanced, whether they are high or low at the time of testing determines the course of action taken.

Willmar has some disturbing statistics regarding diabetes within the community. It is imperative that action is taken in the advancement of knowledge with this disease. Teaching about diabetes and healthy living will have to begin at an even earlier age as children develop habits so they can make healthier choices from the start. Reducing the number of diabetes cases is extremely important. Educating those with diabetes so they can have the knowledge necessary to live high quality and healthy lives and teaching those who may be at risk how to avoid becoming diabetic is crucial.

Like many cities across this great nation, Minneapolis has a high obesity rate. Fighting obesity in Minneapolis starts with education and taking action. Residents have programs available to them to help them learn the best way to fight obesity. Many programs are targeting children and youth because healthy habits formed early have a much higher, long term success rate for healthy living.

Youth Determined to Succeed

One way that Minneapolis is fighting obesity is through programs like Youth Determined to Succeed (YDS). Youth Determined to Succeed is a program that teaches kids about appropriate physical activity. In addition, YDS teaches youth leadership skills and promotes positive approaches to helping others within the community. The Youth Determined to Succeed program is headed up at the YMCA in Minneapolis and YDS teaches kids from elementary grade levels up to high school level so the program provides long term support.

Dr. Jon Hallberg

In an effort to help Minneapolis fight obesity, Dr. Jon Hallberg provides information about fighting obesity one meal at time. Minnesota public radio put on a series with Dr. Jon Hallberg with the goal of motivating and educating listeners. Additionally, public radio has initiated a contest for the best idea to help combat obesity. The winner of the contest will win a cash prize and submissions will be accepted through until April 9^th, 2011. That being said, there are other resources available at Minnesota.publicradio.org to help with fighting obesity. Resources include USDA: Track your food intake; calculators to establish your BMI as well as your child’s BMI and much more.

United Health HEROES Grants

Fighting obesity takes the help of many organizations. United Health has been giving grants through a program they have deemed HEROES. Over 265 grants of $1,000 have been awarded to schools and other organizations that target the health practices of the youth. United Health encourages such companies who educate children and youth toward healthier lifestyles and rewards these companies with grants when they feel that they are successfully promoting solutions to turn around the child obesity problems throughout the nation.

Minneapolis Bike-Share

Minneapolis takes another strong approach to fighting obesity with their bike-share. The bike-share will provide approximately 1,000 bikes with about 75 stations throughout the city and people are becoming eager about the idea of public bikes. Blue Cross Blue Shield is taking an active role in fighting obesity and they are funding roughly one million dollars of the funds needed for the operation of the Minneapolis bike-share. The additional funds needed to implement the bike-share are being provided by a federal grant.

Much of the obesity epidemic in the country stems from lack of knowledge. There were many things about food and activity that were simply not understood as recently as 60 years ago. Today there is a wealth of knowledge and much of what is shared is just as quickly contradicted by something else. It is important to the success of the battle against obesity that people are educated and that healthy lifestyles and habits are established early in the lives of children.

(CBS/AP) ST. PAUL, MINN. – Minnesota lawmakers must have a beef with fat people who blame fast food restaurants for their weight problem.

How else to explain the passage of the “cheeseburger bill?” That’s what people are calling the bill – just passed by a state House panel – that would block super-sized consumers from suing fast-food chains and other food companies for their weight problems.

The Civil Law Committee approved the “Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act” on a voice vote.

The bill would prevent consumers from suing the food industry for weight gain, obesity, and health problems caused by long-term consumption of fattening foods and non-alcoholic drinks such as soda.

The sponsor, Republican Rep. Dean Urdahl of Grove City, says the bill would prevent frivolous lawsuits. Urdahl has been pushing the legislation since 2004.

It’s no secret that American is in the midst of an obesity epidemic. In 2009, the prevalence of obesity was below 20 percent in only two places in the U.S.: Colorado and the District of Columbia.

So whoever or whatever deserves the blame for super-sizing our citizenry, there’s plenty of blame to go around.

It has now become common knowledge that obesity is reaching pandemic proportions across America. Every year, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) along with private researchers and state agencies tally the numbers on the problem. This article seeks to find out where Minnesota as a state fits into the national mosaic.

Definition of Terms

Nearly all of the studies performed focus on two categories; the overweight and the obese. Overweight is defined as having an increased weight in relation to height; this may or may not be fat related, it could be the result of increased lean muscle mass as would be expected in a serious athlete. Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a calculated value based on calculations using weight and height, is used to differentiate between the overweight and the obese. Adults with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are defined as overweight; adults with a BMI of 30 or above are considered obese.

National Rankings

Minnesota is ranked 31^st in the nation for the number of obese adults and children; Colorado being the leanest state, and Mississippi being the most obese. Minnesota has remained at this rank for two years despite seeing an overall increase of 0.2 percent in obesity over the last three years. Nationally, Minnesota was one of only 24 states to avoid seeing an increase in Type 2 diabetes cases. Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, has been linked to obesity in adults.

Minnesota by the Numbers

According to the latest report by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, nearly 63 percent of Minnesotan adults are overweight or obese. The same report finds that 25.3 percent of the population is obese. Children are not classified as obese, but are rather labeled “at risk” or overweight if their BMI is above the 85 percentile for children in the same age group. In Minnesota, 37 percent of school age children and 34 percent of teens are overweight or at risk

Causes of Obesity

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, several factors have been linked to the obesity issue in the state. Among the items the department has observed; technology that reduces the amount of physical activity, increased portion size, and the extensive marketing of high fat, high sugar, high calorie foods. Environmental factors such as limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables due to economic forces and stress caused by uncertainty have also been noted to be a contributing factor.

The Plan of Attack

Minnesota like many states, is seeking to change through education, how people choose the foods they eat. Initiatives to address school standards for physical education and policies regarding vending machines and school lunches have been started. The Department of Health has started an educational campaign to provide employers with resources to make the same types of changes in their break rooms and cafeterias. The University of Minnesota has joined with the NIH to form the Minnesota Obesity Center, which performs research on obesity in the state.

The fact that Minnesotans are among the leanest populations in the country is due to the state aggressively pursuing the goal of eliminating obesity. Still, one in four citizens of the state is obese and an informal project has shown the average weight of the Minnesota resident has climbed 6 percent in the last 10 years. Minnesota has its work cut out for itself, but it is on the right track.

In recent years, statistics have shed light on some alarming facts regarding healthy living. Due to this, people in Rochester are beginning to evaluate their own personal situation and are starting to take steps towards become healthier.  Below are a few tips for living healthy in Rochester.

Tips for Healthy Nutrition

Nutrition in Rochester begins with eating right. Many of the necessary vitamins and minerals people need can be found in their food. It is recommended that people consume 2 to 4 servings of fruit and 3 to 5 servings of vegetables every day. When choosing fruit, remember that bright colors are good for you, while for vegetables, dark greens are the best. Also remember to include protein; some healthy choices are eggs, chicken and fish. All in all, a healthy diet should also include 2 to 3 servings of dairy and 6 to 11 servings of whole grains. Remember to drink at least 8 eight ounce glasses of water per day.

The Importance of Exercise

Another key element to living healthy is exercise. In addition to burning calories, which helps to lose and maintain weight, exercise increases a positive mood; helps combat diseases; boosts energy levels; and helps people sleep. For the best results and long term life changes, make exercise fun. Many people admit that when the workout becomes boring they often quit, so choose many physical activities that you find enjoyable to make sure there is a variety to conquer boredom.

Fitness Centers and Trails

There are many fitness centers available in Rochester. Some people find that joining a gym is the most advantageous way for them to incorporate their exercise in their daily lives. Some of the options available to Rochester residents are the Rochester Fitness Club, Gym and Fitness Club, Rochester Athletic Club, World Gym, Gold’s Gym and Bally Fitness to name a few. For those who prefer outdoor adventures, Rochester has 85 miles of trails. Much of the trails in Rochester are paved, allowing for a multitude of outdoor activities from hiking and cycling to inline skating.

Lifestyle Changes

Some additional tips for Rochester residents regarding healthy living and increased physical activity include, walking or cycling to work and parking farther away from your destination. Additionally, take the stairs whenever possible; do not go grocery shopping when you are hungry; avoid sugary beverages and begin taking short walks in the evening. Sometimes it is best to make one change at a time to allow that change to become a habit while you incorporate a new change.

Healthy living requires a balanced nutritional diet and plenty of exercise. Healthy foods provide necessary vitamins and minerals as well as protein and other essential benefits that allow the body to perform at its optimal level. Exercise on the other hand, is important for the overall good health of a person so that they can maintain or lose weight, build a strong immune system and feel good about themselves.

Obesity is the condition of being severely overweight. Today there are millions of people who are actively trying to conquer obesity as they begin to realize the importance for their overall health. Obesity has been associated with the onset of several life-threatening diseases from diabetes to coronary artery disease.

Obesity and Diabetes

There is an established link between diabetes and obesity; statistics indicate that between 80% and 90% of people diagnosed with type II diabetes are also considered obese. Studies show that being obese lowers the body’s ability to properly manage blood glucose levels and can even cause the body to become resistant to its insulin. In light of this, people who are diabetic and obese should adopt healthier lifestyles and add physical activities to their daily routine.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Willmar has begun to take action. The CDC develops programs to help make changes to communities by educating about and preventing diseases caused by obesity. The CDC in Willmar actively works to provide prevention programs to schools and work sites and health centers. The common factors between these diseases, such as asthma and diabetes, can be prevented by reducing obesity. Obesity may be a disease for many, but it is also a result of unhealthy behavior that can be modified and corrected.

Obesity Leads to Health Risks

Apart from diabetes, there are many health risks involved with obesity. People who are obese have a much higher likeliness for developing heart disease. Another adverse condition that obese people are more likely to face is breathing problems, for example, sleep apnea. People who are obese experience more joint pain and are more likely to suffer from a stroke than people who maintain a healthy weight. Obese people greatly benefit from weight loss and while many people struggle with the effort daily, weight loss is essential for good health.

Education and Awareness

Losing weight is very difficult for many people. Since obesity is connected to several potentially preventable diseases, that says a lot about education and awareness. The benefits of educating people about the importance of nutritional value and active lifestyles could possibly lead to significant long term health benefits and statistic altering results for Willmar. Specifically educating youth about the adverse reactions associated with being obese may change the direction that Willmar is currently traveling.

While obesity clearly has potential for causing a devastating impact on the body and overall health, the good news is that obesity is generally a preventable disease. Changing unhealthy lifestyles is necessary for people who are obese to become healthy. For obese individuals, unhealthy lifestyles can be affectively altered by eating right and becoming active. Don’t wait until tomorrow, start getting healthier today.

Almost everyone understand the importance of working out and taking care of themselves. However, very few people actual make the effort or know how to do it properly in order to better themselves. Luckily, Rochester residents live in a beautiful area where it is possible to take part in various physical activities – inside or outside. Below are a fit fitness tips that should help you to make the most of your workouts.

Warm-up before Working out

Most people have heard about the importance of a warm-up before beginning a workout; however, many people still do not take the time to do it. Knowing the benefits of how a warm-up affects the body may change the minds of a few. Beginning a workout with a warm-up heats the body’s core temperature which actually increases affective calorie burning. Additionally, a warm-up helps increase more impactful muscle contractions for a better work. Warm-ups also increase the body’s metabolic rate, which in turn delivers oxygen to muscles faster and doing a warm-up prevents injury. However, most important is that warm ups work to loosen joints and ligaments which helps to avoid injury.

Make Time for Exercise

Making time for exercise is essential to good health. Proper exercise includes three things; aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening and flexibility exercises. No equipment needs to be purchased for effective exercise; there are many activities that can be done around the house. Contrary to some reports, there is no specific time to exercise that is better than any other time, just consistently incorporate exercise into a solid routine that works for you. For instance, it is important to do aerobic exercise for at least 20 minutes, but if there is not enough time, two 10 minute aerobic exercises is still beneficial.

Conquer Boredom

Even the most avid exercisers get bored with their workout routines and find excuses not to workout. The key to conquering boredom is to continuously add variety. When experiencing mild boredom, change up the workout routine a bit; for example, move outside for a walk instead of hitting the treadmill. If that does not work take on a whole new physical activity and challenge yourself to try something new. Sometimes new workout gear or equipment can spike up a renewed interest in working out. Whatever method works, conquer boredom and put your health first.

Exercise Reduces Stress

There are many theories as to why exercise reduces stress and some of them are accurate and some are not yet proven. Avid exercisers will agree that the proof that exercise reduces stress is in the way exercise makes them feel. Additionally, we know that exercise reduces anxiety. We also know that exercise relaxes people and makes people feel better about themselves. With that being said, exercise also contributes to healthier eating. There are many ways that working out reduces stress in the body and for many people the reason why doesn’t matter as much as the results do.

Individuals who are on the fence about working out should consider the effects that exercise has on the body. Exercise is a free stress reducer and just going for a walk or exercising at home regularly can significantly improve overall health. However, regular exercise also helps to strengthen the immune system, result in healthier looking skin, and of course keep unwanted fat away – to name a few.

For those active individuals who want to explore hiking trails, or take their mountain bikes out exploring the various trails available in Minneapolis, there are many choices available. Below is a list of the few most popular activity trails.

Battle Creek and Cottage Grove

Battle Creek is a multi-unit park that includes many attractions from a lake, to playground and picnic areas. The prime hiking trails at Battle Creek can be found at the south unit. The trails consist of paved paths that lead hikers through woods and meadows. This particular area  provides trails for hikers as well as mountain bikers. Cottage Grove provides residents with a country atmosphere with wooded areas and meadows. The trails at Cottage Grove are easy to maneuver and often pass over pleasant farmland views.

Crosby Farm Park and Fort Snelling State Park

Crosby Farm Park offers hiking trails that follow the river. The trails wind to the bottomlands and through marshes close to downtown Saint Paul. Fort Snelling State Park consists of 3,400 acres of protected land and wildlife. This state park has easy, broad trails for visitors. Hikers exploring Fort Snelling State Park can take pleasure in the large Cottonwood trees, the Silver Maple trees, Ash trees and Willow trees that cover the park. Furthermore, there are miles of biking trails for cyclists to enjoy.

Fort Snelling State Park (Island Trails) and Lake Como, Como Park

For additional trail experiences in Minneapolis, Fort Snelling State Park and Lake Como bring more options for hikers. Fort Snelling State Park, Snelling Lake and Pine Island Trails provide a delightful hike traveling around the park to where the Mississippi river meets the Minnesota River. Additionally, Lake Como Park is located right in the city of Saint Paul around another popular lake. There are great hiking opportunities with close proximity to the parks amenities which include golf, visiting the zoo and the botanical conservation.

Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Eagle Point Lake and Lake Phalen

Hiking and cycling are great ways to stay fit and are both easy to do in Minneapolis. Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Eagle Point provides hikers with a view of the lake visible throughout almost the entire trail. There are inspiring views all along the trail including a meadow. Additionally, Lake Phalen, known for being a popular golf course, provides ample hiking trails for the residents and visitors.

Minneapolis provides many hiking and cycling options for those who choose to get out and be active. If you haven’t tried any of them yet, why not make a plan this weekend to see just what you have in your back yard?

No one will argue that quitting smoking is best for a healthier lifestyle; however it is an extremely difficult thing to do.  There are many reasons to quit smoking, from health concerns to financial aspects. Whatever reason motivates a smoker in St., Paul to become a non-smoker is not as essential as the success of the transition. Many smokers who quit return back to cigarettes, so having a secure plan and sticking to it is a great way to begin and help ensure success.

Medications, Rx vs. Over the Counter

Medications are available to help people quit smoking; both prescription and over the counter options. Doctors can help evaluate a smoker’s personal situation and help to create a quit smoking plan. Doctors can also prescribe medications to assist with quitting, such as Chantix and Zyban. Over the counter medications that can help smokers quit the dangerous habit are the nicotine lozenges, nicotine patches and nicotine gum.

Online Resources

There are many online resources today that can help people quit smoking. The American Lung Association provides resources, such as their Freedom from Smoking Online resource, found on their website www.lungusa.org. There is multiple quit smoking website that offer free assistance. It is absolutely helpful and beneficial to read what ideas, tips and suggestions helped other smokers quit and stay quit.

Create a Plan

Creating a plan is definitely important to successfully quit smoking. Determine a future quit date and avoid stressful dates such as holidays. Prepare by considering difficult situations before they occur and ready your supplies. Also, consider some of the easier habits to break before the quit date. For example, stop smoking in the house 3 weeks before the quit date so that being in the house will not be as difficult when the time comes.

Exercise, Walk

Exercising and going for walks helps many people quit smoking. Walking and exercising is beneficial for several reasons including avoiding weight gain and for mood regulation. Exercising can help prevent significant weight gain that can be induced by quitting. Additionally, exercise increases energy levels and enhances good mood so it can counter the negative effects of quitting smoking. There are a few great walking trails in St. Paul to look out for.

Drink Water, Check Diet, Sleep

When quitting smoking, drink a lot of water to help flush the system of nicotine and other lingering toxins. Make sure you are eating a healthy and balanced diet to prevent weight gain and to prevent replacing one bad habit with another bad habit. Get plenty of sleep.

Ask for Support

Let the people around you, who care about you, know that you are quitting smoking. Establish an open communication with them explaining that you may need their assistance. It can be helpful for people who are quitting smoking to have someone to talk to. Ask friends, family and co-workers for their support and understanding.

Stop Smoking Programs

There are many stop smoking programs for people who prefer to participate in a group activity. Multiple options are available for group help in most communities. Again, the American Lung Associate is a great place to start for helpful resources. Online searches are also beneficial resources to finding stop smoking programs.

Quitting smoking may be one of the most important things that you do for your health. Because of the challenges associated with becoming a non-smoker, successfully quitting is without a doubt very rewarding. Make a list of the reasons of why you want to quit smoking before you quit so if you have days that are difficult down the road you can refer back to your list and remember the reasons to stay quit.

Countless people enjoy the convenience and experience of dining out. The atmosphere combined with the ease and consumers cannot seem to get enough of taking their meals at a restaurant. Unfortunately, many restaurants are very unhealthy and eating out may be one leading factor of why so many individuals are unfit today. That being said, there are some healthy choices available that bring the best of both worlds, being able to enjoy the ambiance of eating out and at the same time making healthy food choices.

Healthy Restaurants

Eating healthy while divulging in eating at a restaurant can be challenging. One well-liked healthy restaurant option is Q. Cumbers. Q. Cumbers provides patrons with healthy options at affordable prices in a buffet style restaurant. Another healthy option for consumers is French Meadow. The French Meadow Café in Minneapolis provides healthy food choices for customers using high quality fresh and organic foods. An alternative and trendy little café called The Good Earth also provides affordable, fresh and unprocessed healthy foods for patrons.

Eating Out, Healthy Options

Common Roots, also located in Minneapolis, is a café that provides healthy options to customers who favor dining out. All of the food prepared at Common Roots is made from scratch. Another alternative, healthy restaurant is the Ecopolitan. The Ecopolitan’s food is all organic and it is a vegan, raw foods restaurant promoting good health and encouraging people to take better care of their well being. Healthy options can also be found on the menu at Amu’s Madres Café, another vegan restaurant in town. Amu’s Madras Café is an Indian vegetarian and vegan restaurant.

Healthy Favorites in Minneapolis

Taking time away to enjoy a great meal out should not mean passing up on good health. There are many options for healthy meals while out on the town in Minneapolis. Seattle Sutton’s is a restaurant that has a menu loaded with healthy choices for its customers. Namaste Café is another local, all natural and organic dining choice with healthy food options for consumers. With so many choices, there is quite a variety of types of foods available to those who are health conscious.

Enjoy Healthy Menu Options

Minneapolis has a couple more great healthy restaurants to consider. Good To Go is reputable for having a great lunch menu. Go To Go also provides healthy foods for the residents of Minneapolis. For those who enjoy Japanese food Zen Box is reputed as a great healthy place to eat. Zen Box is a Japanese eatery and the menu at Zen Box has many healthy options to choose from. In Minneapolis eating out is as popular a past time as in any other location. Overall, there are an abundance of healthy restaurants offering patrons a large selection of choices.

Eating out is a favorite past time for many American’s, most of whom can find any number of reasons to celebrate in order to create an excuse to go out for their next meal. Unfortunately, eating out frequently often results in generating unhealthy eating habits and the over consumption of unhealthy foods. An alternative to such a dilemma is to compromise and choose eating establishments that provide healthy options for patrons to choose from, increasing health while enjoying a great meal out on the town.