FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT
March 18, 2009 Judy Davis, Public Information Officer
775.328.2483 (office)
775.843.3946 (cell)
Making Better Food Choices Can Improve Long-Term Health
The Washoe County Health District Celebrates “National Nutrition Month®”
Reno, NV –The effects of nutrition on long-term health are as important as ever. Recent data
show that poor nutrition is a major contributor to being overweight or obese. Both poor nutrition and
being overweight or obese in turn are related to many on-going, potentially life-threatening health
problems, such as heart disease and diabetes.
Although opportunities for improving poor nutritional habits are abundant year round, National
Nutrition Month®, which occurs each March, provides a great opportunity to focus special attention on
the importance of making healthy food choices and developing sound eating habits for life.
What’s happening locally
The terms “overweight” and “obese” indicate different levels of total body fat as measured by
one’s body mass index (BMI), which is a special calculation using one’s height and weight. Both indicate
the potential for related health problems and, while there can be a variety of reasons for being overweight
or obese, improper nutrition is a major component of these conditions.
Being overweight or obese is on the rise at the national level. Locally, it is also of concern. In
fact, a recently released report, Chronic Disease in Washoe County: A Summary Report of Primary Risk
Factors and Select Chronic Health Conditions, shows that
While the rate of obesity among Washoe County adults is lower than for Nevada and the
nation, a startling 56.5 percent of Washoe County adults are overweight or obese.
While the majority of Washoe County children are considered to be at a healthy weight, over
one third (37.5 percent) fall into the overweight and obese categories, which is higher than
national rates.
What is the solution?
“Much of poor nutrition can be attributed to undesirable eating habits,” says Kelli Seals, nutrition
educator for the Washoe County Health District. “While changing them can be hard, making small
adjustments, one at a time, can make healthful eating easier.” Seals recommends the following simple
steps to improving health through better nutrition:
1001 EAST NINTH STREET / P.O. BOX 11130, RENO, NEVADA 89520 (775) 328-2400
www.washoecounty.us/health
WASHOE COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Substitute drinks like soda or energy drinks with water and fat-free or low-fat milk.
Replace a high-sugar or high-fat snack with a fruit or vegetable each day. Data show that only
25 percent of Washoe County adults and 19 percent of Nevada high school students consume
the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Having fruits and
vegetables washed, cut-up, and ready to go can make it a cinch to grab a healthful snack and
get closer to the suggested number of servings.
Replace some of your grains with whole grains like whole wheat pasta, brown rice, whole
wheat bread or oatmeal. Eventually the goal is to get to a diet with 50 percent of the grains
being whole grains.
Choose lean or low-fat meat and poultry. Other sources of low-fat protein, such as beans, tofu
and peas, also can be added to meals.
How much you eat can be as important as what you eat. Start a meal with smaller portions
and only go back for more if you are still hungry. One way to control portions is to eat on
smaller plates. Remember portion sizes with snacks as well.
Make fast food eating healthier. Most fast food restaurants now offer options, such as salads,
baked potatoes, fruit, or low-fat milk instead of soda. Ask for a nutritional brochure and start
checking the calories, fat, and sugar contents of fast food menu items.
Community resources
The Washoe County Health District considers the results of poor nutrition to be a priority health
issue for our community and provides education, resources and tools to help citizens adopt healthy eating
habits. For more information, visit www.gethealthywashoe.com or call 775-325-8244. The complete
Chronic Disease in Washoe County: A Summary Report of Primary Risk Factors and Select Chronic
Health Conditions can be found at www.gethealthywashoe.com.
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1001 EAST NINTH STREET / P.O. BOX 11130, RENO, NEVADA 89520 (775) 328-2400
www.washoecounty.us/health
WASHOE COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER