Articles

Congratulations to the "Bike to Work Week" Winners!

Monday, 24 May 2010 10:41

May is National Bike Month

Monday, 03 May 2010 08:55

alt May has been recognized as National Bike Month since 1956. The third week in May is designated Bike to Work Week and the third Friday of May is Bike to Work Day. To promote this healthy, cycling celebration the Healthy Lompoc Coalition will be offering an incentive to those of you who wish to get back on your bikes. So dust off your bike and participate in Bike to Work Day on May 21, 2010!

All individuals in Lompoc who ride their bike to work on May 21 will be entered into a drawing to win $50. Businesses that have at least three staff members ride bikes to work will be entered to win $150. Riders must submit their entry form via email or fax by 11:59pm that day. Forms with all the specific details may be downloaded at www.healthylompoc.lvcho.org or requested via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

They are many great reasons for employers to promote bike to work programs. Employers in the community benefit from a healthy, active workforce. Bicyclists generally miss less work due to illness than people who drive cars. Bicycle commuters arrive on time more often and they are more productive when they get to work. Bike riding also relieves stress and promotes a positive attitude toward oneself and one’s environment. All of these factors contribute to a healthy, pleasant and productive work place.

Biking to work is also a great way to squeeze regular exercise into a hectic schedule. Studies show that 80% of people who switch from sedentary commuting to cycling significantly improve their cardiovascular health in just 6-8 weeks. Cycling also helps to maintain a healthy weight. For a 180 pound man, a 10 mile round trip bike commute burns 400 calories. For a 130-pound woman this same commute burns 300 calories. So pump up your tires, put on your helmet and hit the road for National Bike Month and be sure to participate in Bike to Work Day on May 21^st!

2010 Community Health Summit

Monday, 29 March 2010 06:54

The Lompoc Valley Community Health Summit held on March 25th was a big success. It brought together people from many different sectors of the community and rallied them around the important topic of community health - specifically environmental and policy issues that impact health.

Keynote speaker Dr. James Sallis gave a wonderful presentation and many in attendance commented that his talk was both educational and motivational.

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Pictured: Stephanie Teaford of Cal Poly's STRIDE, Keynote Speaker Dr. James Sallis and event organizer Judy Taggart of the Healthy Lompoc Coalition

A presentation of data from assessments performed in Lompoc was given by Judy Taggart. The information provides a starting point for the community and the coalition to begin making improvements. The presentation was also intended to recruit interested community members to get involved in the new working groups that will be formed to assist in the development and implementation of a strategic plan. The strategic plan will include a wide range of projects aimed at improving environmental and policy issues affecting health in Lompoc.

The presentations are available to download from this website.

The event also included the presentation of the Barry J. Coughlin M.D. "Community Health Leadership Award" to Kathy Bertelsen, Food Service Manager for the Lompoc Unified School District. Ms. Bertelsen has been a true leader in the community working to make the school district a healthier place through improvements to the food service department. Additionally Kathy heads up the LUSD Wellness Committee where she has successfully steered the committee through the creation and implementation of the school wellness policy.

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Pictured: Kathy Bertelsen, LUSD Food Service Manager and winner of of the Barry J. Coughlin "Community Health Leadership Award" and Dr. Sheldon Smith, Asst. Superintendent, LUSD.

Attachments:
File	Description
Summit Presentation - Keynote (03/25/10) - Dr. James Sallis
Summit Presentation - Assessments (03/25/10) - Judy Taggart

Walkability Matters

Monday, 22 February 2010 08:01

The Healthy Lompoc Coalition is working together to assess the walkability of the community Lompoc. Walkability has many components but at the core of this issue is the ablity of pedestrians to safely naviagate city neighborhoods, shopping centers, and school zones.

The Healthy Lompoc Coalition teamed up with California Walks to conduct a thorough evaluation of walkability in Lompoc. This put health professionals, city engineering, and walkability experts all at the same table to learn what could be changed to make our city a safer place to walk.

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Pictured here starting out on a walkability audit L to R: Craig Dierling, Wendy Alfsen, Don Deming, Susan Klein-Rothchild, Steve McDowell, Bob Lingl, Margaret Weiss, JoAnne Plummer, Jacklyn Kelly, Fidel Villanueva, Kim Wells, Dena Lara, Teresa McIntyre, and Jody Taylor.

Why Walking Matters

From www.walkscore.com:

Walkable neighborhoods offer surprising benefits to our health, the environment, and our communities.

Better health: A study in Washington State found that the average resident of a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood weighs 7 pounds less than someone who lives in a sprawling neighborhood.1 Residents of walkable neighborhoods drive less and suffer fewer car accidents, a leading cause of death between the ages of 15–45.

Reduction in greenhouse gas: Cars are a leading cause of global warming. Your feet are zero-pollution transportation machines.

More transportation options: Compact neighborhoods tend to have higher population density, which leads to more public transportation options and bicycle infrastructure. Not only is taking the bus cheaper than driving, but riding a bus is ten times safer than driving a car.

Increased social capital: Walking increases social capital by promoting face-to-face interaction with your neighbors. Studies have shown that for every 10 minutes a person spends in a daily car commute, time spent in community activities falls by 10%.

Stronger local businesses: Dense, walkable neighborhoods provide local businesses with the foot traffic they need to thrive. It's easier for pedestrians to shop at many stores on one trip, since they don't need to drive between destinations.

Attachments:
File	Description
Lompoc Walkability Assessment	Slideshow from the Lompoc Walkability audit conducted on September 24, 2009.

2010: A Time for Health Accountability

Tuesday, 05 January 2010 13:40

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Our nation rolled into 2010 as unhealthy as ever. Currently of 34% of adults in our nation are obese and a significant number of our neighbors are facing heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Health professionals are constantly educating individuals in the classroom, at visits to the clinic or at community events. Unfortunately the messages about everything from eating nutritious food, becoming more physically active or the importance of good dental hygiene do not always lead to the adoption of healthy behaviors and long term compliance.

There is enough health information and educational media available in this nation to expect that most people know that using tobacco is not healthy or that being overweight or obese is bad for your health. Yet dieticians will continue to be frustrated by patients who give their children soda pop for breakfast and fitness professionals will watch their clients lose their motivation and go back to a sedentary lifestyle. Doctors will continue to deal with diabetic patients who fail to check their blood sugar regularly and patients who do not take quitting smoking seriously. Health care professionals can only do so much - at some point individuals must take responsibility for their health.

Lack of personal accountability seems to be a big factor impacting the health of our nation. Few people struggling with health issues want to admit that they had a role in bringing these problems on, but the obesity and diabetes epidemics are proof that individual lifestyle choices have serious consequences on our health. Rather than waiting for someone to come rushing in with a pill to fix what is broken, Americans must begin to take individual responsibility for their health behaviors. If everyone made an effort to make even one positive lifestyle change in time it could prevent or reverse many of the health challenges facing our nation.

Picking the Right Videos Games for Your Kids

Friday, 04 December 2009 14:14

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The holiday season is here and many parents find themselves in the video game aisle shopping for their children. With so many different types of games available it can be hard to know which one is the right choice. If you are going to allow your children to spend hours playing video games it is vital to consider the impact of the games you choose. Research has proven that children can learn from the content presented in video games they play - regardless of whether the material is positive or negative.

Repeated exposure to violence in video games has been shown to create a positive association to negative or aggressive solutions. This happens over time as your child plays the lead role in violent games where they must make aggressive decisions to win. Before allowing your kids to convince you that these games are “no big deal” - get the details. In one popular game your child plays a young man who associates with gangs whose mission includes theft, murder and copious amounts of destruction. If injured, the player (your child) recovers his health by visiting prostitutes; he then beats them to death and takes their money to restore his funds. In another popular game the character played by your child learns that he can enhance his violent abilities by taking drugs like marijuana, ecstasy, and LSD. Is this the type of video environment that you want your young children immersed in for hours at a time?

Consider moving down the video game aisle to a completely different genre of games. Music video games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band are fun, non-violent games that allow multiple players to get involved. All different types of music can be played to accommodate everyone in the family and many different instruments are available. Another reason these video games are a great choice for your kids this holiday season is that these games may encourage your child to become interested in playing a musical instrument long after the video game is turned off. Music training has been shown to help under-achievers in school and high school students involved in music score higher than their peers in both verbal and math on their SATs.

Parents have the daunting job of balancing what kids ask for with what is appropriate for them. Find out more about the video games on the market to ensure that the games that you allow into your home will be safe, fun and promote healthy attitudes.

Healthy Thanksgiving Tips

Monday, 23 November 2009 14:15

alt Thanksgiving is just days away. It is a day to be enjoyed with family and friends and traditionally we enjoy eating a lot of food together. So as we savor mom’s mashed potatoes, uncle bob’s slow-roasted turkey and grandma’s pumpkin pie just remember that average American will enjoy over 2000 calories of holiday favorites at the dinner table alone. Thanksgiving is certainly not the day to start a new diet, but it is possible to make some sensible choices throughout the day to lessen the caloric damage.

Do not skip meals during the day in preparation for a big Thanksgiving dinner. You may think that you are saving a few calories by doing this but going to the table hungry will increase the likelihood that you will take larger portions of those rich holiday offerings. It is a better idea to have a light snack, like yogurt or peanut butter toast, a few hours before dinner is served. This will control your appetite and allow you to enjoy healthier portions of your family favorites.

If are hosting dinner this year it is a great idea to offer a healthy side dish or two in addition to time-honored favorites. This could be as simple as serving the salad without tossing it in dressing first. Instead serve the salad with no dressing and allow guests to choose from a variety of dressings – including a low calorie option. When it comes to vegetable side dishes, trying roasting veggies with a little olive oil instead of sautéing them in butter.

Ultimately portion control is your best bet for keeping your calories in check this Thanksgiving. If you take small servings it is fine to go ahead and enjoy a little of everything. Sampling a modest amount of your favorite allows you to enjoy the flavors without feeling stuffed like a turkey. Remind yourself that you don’t need to gobble everything up on one day; one of the best things about Thanksgiving is the leftovers.

November is American Diabetes Month

Wednesday, 11 November 2009 15:35

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American Diabetes Association (ADA) recognizes November as American Diabetes Month. The most recent statistics indicate that 23.6 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes and another 57 million Americans have pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes normally occurs before the onset of Type 2 diabetes when blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

The two most common types of diabetes type 1 and type 2. Type 1 is generally diagnosed in children and was previously known as “juvenile diabetes.” In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin - a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Type 2 diabetes occurs when either the body does not produce enough insulin or when the body ignores the insulin. Type 2 diabetes was known as “adult onset” diabetes; but with so many young people developing type 2 diabetes in the past decade that is no longer the case. It is estimated that nearly 1 in 600 children and adolescents has type 1diabetes while 1 in 6 overweight adolescents has pre-diabetes.

Over time high blood sugar levels from diabetes damage the body and place you at risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and amputations. Recent research shows that damage to the heart and circulatory system is already occurring in people with pre-diabetes. In most cases diabetes can be prevented and controlled through healthy lifestyle choices. Diabetes experts recommend eating well balanced meals, maintaining a healthy weight and engaging in some kind of physical activity each day. Sedentary lifestyle is known to be a contributing factor to diabetes. Speak with your health care provider if you have questions about diabetes, the risk factors or what you can be doing stay healthy. Diabetes doesn’t have to take its toll on your life.

Lompoc on the Move WINNERS!

Monday, 12 October 2009 08:10

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Congratulations to all the teams who participated in our 2nd annual Lompoc on the Move Challenge!

August is Immunization Awareness Month

Wednesday, 05 August 2009 08:33

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August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This important health observance promoted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has the goal of increasing awareness about the importance and value of immunizations for everyone from infants to elderly.

This time of year young children prepare to head back to school and college students get ready to head off to their fall classes. Parents worry about the health of their children in crowded classrooms but also about the health of their parents as the flu season can be especially tough on older adults. Thankfully healthcare workers are also gearing up for the upcoming flu season with a variety of vaccinations and boosters to protect people of all ages. Whether you need a flu shot or your child needs their immunizations, make the month of August the time that you secure the information and appointments necessary to protect your family against preventable diseases.

The recommended vaccinations for children start when a child is just an infant and continue on a regular schedule for years; these vaccines protect children and the community from many serious diseases. The CDC also has a schedule of recommended immunizations for adults. Information and immunization schedules for children and adults are available in the download section of this website. Anyone with questions about the safety of immunizations should speak with their healthcare provider or call the CDC toll free at 1-800-232-4636 (English and Spanish).

California: Three Bills to Improve Health

Friday, 10 July 2009 07:50

California is working hard to enact public policies that support healthy communities. On July 1, 2009 the implementation of three important nutrition bills went into effect in California. These policies will help ensure that our school children will have access to healthier foods at school, and they will also help everyone in the community be smarter consumers when dining out.

First we can celebrate that the final phase of SB 965, the High School Soda Ban, went into effect. High school campuses in California are no longer allowed to sell soft drinks to students during the school day. Soda sales are already prohibited during the school day in elementary and middle schools. This is big step in the right direction, but is unlikely that we will see soda disappear from evening programs or sporting events just yet. Beverages that may be sold during the school day include milk, juice, water, and sport (electrolyte replacement) beverages.

Also going into effect is SB 490 the “School Trans Fat Ban.” This policy bans California schools from selling competitive foods that contain trans-fat to students. Competitive foods are items that are sold outside of the school meal program. The school meal program offers healthy foods that adhere to federal nutrition guidelines; this new policy will prevent children from skipping a nutritious school meal for an alternative that is filled with unhealthy trans-fats.

Finally, California is now the first state in the nation to require chain restaurants to disclose nutrition information about the foods being sold. Now all restaurant chains with 20 or more stores in California must provide nutrition information at the point of purchase. This policy applies to fast food restaurants and sit-down restaurants, experts expect more than 11,000 stores to be affected. This policy ensures that consumers have access to information about the amount of calories, saturated fat, carbohydrate and sodium in the food they order; hopefully this will lead to healthier choices. Restaurants are not required to post this information on the menu or menu boards until 2011, so be sure to ask for the nutrition info when you are about to place your order.

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