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A new campaign crossing the country, the Campaign for Healthy Weight, israllying Americans behind the healthy weight cause, not just the politicalcandidates, and urging people to think more about their "health" instead ofsimply a number on the scale. Studies indicate that small, specific changesin physical activity and calorie intake can make a big difference. And,people who maintain a healthy weight are less likely to be at risk forweight-related health conditions, such as heart disease. The Campaign willmake its stop in Miami on Saturday, October 11th, to urge local residents tochange their "diet" mindset and elect a new attitude.
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"Health management is really starting to become a bigger part of weightmanagement," said Registered Dietitian Claudia M. Gonzalez. "The key is tomake small, sustainable changes that can last a lifetime. Drinking lowfat orfat free milk as a part of a healthy daily eating plan and walking more everyday are two easy adjustments that can go a long way in supporting a healthyweight."
Weighing in on the American Diet
A new report called Weighing in on the American Diet, found that thenumber of adults who say they are on a diet has steadily decreased over thepast decade. The study, conducted by The NPD Group in collaboration with theMilk Processor Education Program, found the majority of Americans say they areon a diet for their health and their weight; 68 percent say "feelinghealthier" is why they're dieting.
People who are watching their weight, however, are making less thanoptimal beverage choices. Coffee, soft drinks, teas and juices are mostlikely filling their glasses and cups with milk being the fifth mostfrequently consumed beverage -- only 14 percent of all beverage occasions.Including milk on the menu appears to make a positive difference. The reportfound that adult dieters who made drinking lowfat or fat free milk a dailyhabit were more likely to have a healthy body mass index (BMI) with betterquality diets richer in essential nutrients and were less likely to feeldeprived compared to dieters who didn't -- findings which are in line withprevious scientific studies.
Milk supplies two nutrients that along with physical activity areespecially important when cutting calories -- calcium to prevent bone loss andprotein to help build muscle mass. Studies suggest that drinking therecommended three glasses of lowfat or fat free milk a day along with ahealthy diet can help maintain a healthy weight. Researchers also have foundthat people with higher intakes of milk tend to be leaner and are less likelyto gain excess weight than those who drink little to no milk.
Milk - The Beverage with Your Health Interests at Heart
People who maintain a healthy weight are less likely to be at risk forweight-related health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, high bloodpressure and some types of cancer. In addition, some studies have linkedmeeting the recommendations for lowfat and fat free milk along with eatingfruits and vegetables to a lower risk for high blood pressure and heartdisease, as part of a heart-healthy diet. The American Heart Association 2007Guidelines for Preventing Cardiovascular Disease in Women emphasize eatingfresh fruits, vegetables and lowfat milk and milk products.
"I always encourage people to include three servings of lowfat or fat freemilk as part of a heart-healthy diet and to walk everyday," said ClaudiaGonzalez. "With nine essential nutrients, including calcium, vitamin A,vitamin D, protein and potassium, milk is a great way to get a nutrientboost."
Miami Pledges to Maintain a Healthy Weight
As part of milk's proud support for the American Heart Association'sStart! Heart Walks in cities across the country, the Campaign for HealthyWeight will set up headquarters at walk events nationwide to rally Americansto eat right, walk more and milk their diets. Participants at the MiamiStart! Heart Walk on Saturday, October 11th, who will already be taking stepstowards a healthier lifestyle, will be able to join thousands of otherAmericans who have taken a healthy weight pledge and voted for milk with theirupper lips.
To learn more about the Campaign for Healthy Weight and the findings fromthe Weighing in on the American Diet report, log onto http://www.whymilk.com.Here visitors can take the healthy weight pledge, get tips on how to maintaina healthy weight and prevent unhealthy weight gain and find out if theirbeverage choices may be derailing their efforts.
The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), Washington, D.C., isfunded by the nation's milk processors, who are committed to increasing fluidmilk consumption. The MilkPEP Board runs the national Milk Mustache "gotmilk?" Campaign, a multi-faceted campaign designed to educate consumers aboutthe health benefits of milk. For more information, go tohttp://www.whymilk.com. The tagline "got milk?"(R) was created for theCalifornia Milk Processor Board by Goodby Silverstein & Partners and islicensed by the national milk processor and dairy producer groups.While at the Start! Heart Walk, visitors can: -- Join the Campaign and take the pledge to maintain a healthy weight in a healthy way with milk -- Sample heart-healthy lowfat or fat free milk from local processors McArthur Dairy and Velda Farms -- Speak with registered dietitian, Claudia Gonzalez, who can explain how simple, lifelong steps can help maintain a healthy weight and a healthy heart -- Take the Campaign for Healthy Weight Quiz to see how their weight management habits compare to those of their fellow Americans -- Take a souvenir Milk Mustache photo -- Enter for a chance to win a FREE trip to the 2009 AHA Start! Heart Walk in Hilo, Hawaii
SOURCE Milk Processor Education Program
