As a part of Purdue’s commitment to employee health, Purdue’s WorkLife programs are introducing a new on-line health series.  Three faculty members of the Foods and Nutrition Department are featured in the series; Carol Boushey, Connie Weaver, and Richard Mattes.  The on-line health series is hosted by Stacia Matthews from RTV6 in Indianapolis, each ten-minute episode covers a different health topic and features Purdue experts.  Enjoy the series from your desktop by visiting www.purdue.edu/worklife, click on Healthy Track, and watch the streaming videos.

Available in late January:  Recognizing Depression with Jolene Robertson, Employee Assistance Program Manager

Discover the causes, symptoms and treatments for depression, the number one cause of disability in the U.S., according to the World Health Organization. 

Available February 1:  Dieting Truths and Myths with Carol Boushey, professor in Foods & Nutrition

In this episode, Dr. Boushey exposes some commonly held dieting myths, such as low fat foods help you lose weight, and increasing exercise is enough to shed pounds.  She also shares important truths about managing weight and resources to help you meet your weight loss goals.  

Available March 1:  The New Food Guide Pyramid with Connie Weaver, professor in Food & Nutrition

For National Nutrition Month, Dr. Weaver reviews the new USDA Food Guide Pyramid, released in 2005.  The new pyramid includes a physical activity component and draws attention to portion sizes.  Dr. Weaver also walks the viewer through the on-line resources available at www.mypyramid.gov. 

Available April 1:  Liquid Calories with Richard Mattes, professor in Food & Nutrition

According to Dr. Mattes, liquid calories in beverages like soda and juice have played a big part in our nation’s weight gain over the last 25 years.  In this episode, Dr. Mattes demonstrates the caloric impact of beverages on one’s diet, and provides tips to guard against weight gain. 

Available May 1:   Improving Posture with Ken Baldwin, assistant director of the A.H. Ismail Center

There are numerous benefits to good posture at any age.  In honor of National Posture Month, Ken Baldwin demonstrates the four points of good posture and lays out a four week plan that will help to reduce stress and pain on the back.   

Available June 1:  Exercise for Busy People with Cody Sipe, director of the A.H. Ismail Center

Current research indicates that adding 30 minutes of exercise to your day can significantly improve overall health. Cody Sipe shares easy ways to incorporate exercise in the workplace, while traveling, and in the community.

Purdue Extension hosted a video conference on Friday, January 6 entitled “Indiana: Healthy People, Healthy Communities.”  The purpose of this video conference was to create community coalitions focused on healthier living, provide information on resources available to Indiana communities, and to start developing community action plans. 

A panel of experts provided conference participants with information, suggestions, and resources.  Dr. Judith Monroe, MD, State Health Commissioner opened the conference with information from the Indiana State Department of Health.  She highlighted several valuable programs including INShape Indiana, Maternal and Children’s Special Health Care Services, IImmunizations, Asthma Program, Adolescent Health Program, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, Indiana RESPECT, Healthy People 2010, The Heart Truth, Jump Kids Jump, Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, and Rural Health.

Dr. Peggy Wild, state specialist in FACS education in the Office of Career and Vocational Services for the Indiana Department of Education, provided participants a variety of programs and initiatives.  She highlighted Action for Healthy Kids state and national resources, Indiana Department of Education resources from the Division of School and Community Nutrition Programs, the Office of Career and Technical Education Family and Consumer Sciences, Coordinated Health Programs and FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America).

Dr. Connie Weaver, Distinguished Professor and Department Head, Foods and Nutrition at Purdue University provided participants with resources for building healthy communities.  She provided data on bone mass, calcium retention, and beverage consumption.  Weaver suggested nutritional policies to foster healthy food consumption in schools and nutrition education for healthy choices.  One program that Weaver highlighted included a multi-state research project that Purdue is leading called Adequate Calcium Today (ACT) and Eat, Move & Learn Promoting Health Weight.  The programs include a curriculum and an interactive Web site to help promote healthy weight in adolescents.  Other programs available through Foods and Nutrition Extension include Children and Weight, Exploring MyPyramid with Professor Popcorn, EFNEP, and FNP.

Kathy Dale, managing director of Vision 2020 in Greater Lafayette provided participants with an overview of Vision 2020’s community process to create a safe, healthy, and assessable community that embraces history, culture, and diversity.  She shared action areas, continuum of involvement, stakeholders, and examples of specific projects.

Dr. Bernard Dahl, Associate Professor in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape provided participants with ideas and suggestions for creating livable, healthy communities through accommodating environments.  He shared examples for ways to make neighborhoods, schools, walkways, and even crowed urban areas more ascetically pleasing for increased physical activity.  Dr. Dahl also provided participants with potential resources and partners in the area of architecture, planning, and landscape.

Steven McKenzie, continuing lecturer in the Department of Foods and Nutrition at Purdue University shared his experience with the Tippecanoe County Coalition for Living Well After 50.  Steve shared the coalition’s vision, mission, and partners.  He also provided outcomes from three leadership summits, marketing efforts, current and future coalition plans as well as lessons and aspirations for successful coalitions.

Amy Moyer, RD, Corporate Outreach Coordinator for the Center for Corporate Fitness Management within the National Institute for Fitness and Sport provided participants with steps to create successful worksite wellness.  Amy also shared with the group resources and services that are available through the National Institute for Fitness and Sports for setting up and maintaining worksite wellness.

The conference concluded with Indiana counties across the state forming county coalitions/teams and moving forward with action plans for Community Wellness to address health, nutrition, infrastructure, zoning, recreation, and other related issues in addition to the 2006 School Wellness Policies.

For more information on the Healthy People, Healthy Communities video conference please contact Karen Zotz, Assistant Director and Program Leader, CFS Extension atmailto:kzotz@purdue.edu.