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A new campaign crossing the country, the Campaign for Healthy Weight, israllying Americans behind the healthy weight cause and urging people to thinkmore about their "health" instead of simply a number on the scale. Studiesindicate that small, specific changes in physical activity and calorie intakecan make a big difference. And, people who maintain a healthy weight are lesslikely to be at risk for weight-related health conditions, such as heartdisease. The Campaign will make its stop in Louisville on Saturday, September27, to urge local residents to change their "diet" mindset and elect a newattitude.
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Weighing in on the American Diet
A new report called Weighing in on the American Diet found that the numberof adults who say they are on a diet has steadily decreased over the pastdecade. The study, conducted by The NPD Group in collaboration with the MilkProcessor Education Program, found the majority of Americans say they are on adiet for their health and their weight; 68 percent say "feeling healthier" iswhy they're dieting.
People who are watching their weight, however, are making less thanoptimal beverage choices. Coffee, soft drinks, teas and juices are most likelyfilling their glasses and cups, with milk being the fifth most frequentlyconsumed beverage -- only 14 percent of all beverage occasions. The reportfound that adult dieters who made drinking lowfat or fat free milk a dailyhabit were more likely to have a healthier body mass index (BMI), a betterquality diet and were less likely to feel nutrient-deprived, compared todieters who didn't.
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 have also foundthat people with higher intakes of milk tend to be leaner and are less likelyto gain excess weight than those who drink little or 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.
Louisville 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 be at the Louisville Start! Heart Walk this Saturday, September27, to rally Americans to eat right, move more and milk their diets.Participants will be able to sample delicious, heart-healthy fat free milkfrom local processor, Goldenrod Dairy, along with other fun, free giveawaysincluding got milk? pedometers so that walk participants can count theirsteps!
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.Visitors to the site can take the healthy weight pledge, get tips on how tomaintain a healthy weight and find out if their beverage choices may bederailing their efforts.
