Health, Nutrition, and Physical Activity
Our overall health is affected by the food we eat and our physical activity. With proper diet and exercise, we reduce our risks for chronic diseases such as heart disease, many cancers, type 2 diabetes, anemia, and bone loss. A nutritious diet can also help reduce high blood pressure, lower cholesterol, manage arthritis, and manage diabetes. Physical activity strengthens bones and muscles, improves cardiovascular health, protects against many health conditions, increases energy, controls weight, and improves mental health and mood. The trick to staying healthy is all about finding a balance of food and physical activity that works for you.
Kansas citizens want reliable research-based information about their food supply. Busy families want to prepare quick, easy, nutritious meals. Helping Kansans eat more healthfully and increase physical activity can improve their quality of life now and in the future, and reduce health care costs. Learning to eat healthfully can also stretch family food budgets.
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Did you know that the government publishes guidelines for both physical activity and diet? Because being physically active is one of the most important actions that people of all ages can take to improve their health, the Physical Activities Guidelines outlines the amounts and types of physical activity recommended for different ages and populations. You can download or read the Physical Activity Guidelines book here.
A healthy diet is just as important, and can yield health benefits in the short term and cumulatively over the years. The new edition of the Dietary Guidelines includes specific recommendations for all life stages, now including infants and toddlers, and pregnant and lactating women. Read or download the Dietary Guidelines for Americans book here, to learn how to make food and beverage choices that are rich in nutrition - choices that can become a healthy routine over time that can be enjoyed in good health for many years to come.
MED instead of Meds
Eating like those who live in the Mediterranean region has been shown to promote health and decrease risk of many chronic diseases. K-State Research and Extension family and consumer sciences agents recently learned more about the diet and its benefits from Dr. Carolyn Dunn, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and Department Head of Agricultural and Human Sciences at North Carolina State University. Dr. Dunn is part of a group of nutrition and health professionals that created Med Instead of Meds – an online resource with information and tools to help people transform their eating to the Med Way. You can watch a video of Dr. Dunn discuss the diet here.
