Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram

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A three-part series 1 2 3
part 1 2 3 PART 1:Overview The fight for health More than 60 percent of Mainers are overweight or obese. But many are trying hard to change their habits. [Maine Sunday Telegram 5/21/06] Bill says: "...I live in Damariscotta where most roads, even Business Route 1 are hardly wide enough for two cars to pass each other. I am just 2 miles from a huge grocery store. I would love to be able to strap on a backpack and ride my bike to the store, but the road to the store is far to narrow to safely ride a bike on it..." What is preventing you from living healthier? Trends: obesity and diabetes in Maine adults enlarge Determining your Body Mass Index The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person's weight and height. BMI provides a good but rough measure of healthy weight. Healthy weight, Overweight, or Obese — Find out where you fall on the BMI chart Or, visit the Center For Disease Control's website where you can calculate your exact BMI (for adults or for teens/children) based on your measurements. As more gain excess weight, diabetes soars The number of diabetics in Maine more than doubled in a decade, including a rise among children. [Maine Sunday Telegram 5/21/06]		Frustrated by diets, woman opts for gastric bypass For thousands of Mainers, the lure of rapid weight loss offsets risks involved with bariatric surgery. [Maine Sunday Telegram 5/21/06] Health risks of morbid obesity Cardiovascular disease Carpal tunnel syndrome Chronic venous insufficiency Daytime sleepiness Deep vein thrombosis Diabetes (Type 2) End stage renal disease Gallbladder disease Gallstones Gout Heat disorders - poor heat tolerance Hypertension Impaired immune response Impaired respiratory function Infections following wounds Infertility Liver disease Low back pain Obstetric and gynecologic complications Pain - bodily pain, foot pain, musculoskeletal pain Pancreatitis Sleep apnea Stroke Urinary stress incontinence
part 1 2 3 Part 2: Children Children in peril In Maine, obesity increasingly afflicts the young. [Portland Press Herald 5/22/06] Renee says: "We do our best to have healthy food in the house but we find the winter months when fresh fruit and vegetables either aren't available or are available and very costly or tastless it is very difficult to choose over an unhealthy snack. I do believe the public schools need to offer more healthy alternatives for breakfast and lunch." How do you encourage your children to eat better? Share your healthy recipes for children. School union inspires anti-obesity movement Calais-area teachers blend lessons with physical activity to keep their students physically fit. [Portland Press Herald 5/22/06] What types of activities do your children participate in when not in school?		Motivated girl drops pounds for pets Exercise and better eating habits helped Binta Wold, 12, lose weight—a difficult task for Maine children. [Portland Press Herald 5/22/06]
High rate of overweight youths
part 1 2 3 Part 3: Discrimination Negative perceptions work against Mainers who want to lose weight Russell Anderson became accustomed to the disdainful stares when he weighed 600 pounds; Christina Terrell founded the Colby Fat Acceptance Association to help combat dicrimination. [Portland Press Herald 5/23/06] Do you feel you have been discriminated against because of your weight? Tell us your story. Diet can backfire, or spiral into eating disorder Any weight-loss effort should begin with a doctor and include a balanced diet. [Portland Press Herald 5/23/06] Do you struggle with an eating disorder? Share your story. HEALTHY LINKS: WALK, HIKE AND BIKE American Hiking Society has information about funding sources for building hiking trails. Bicycle Coalition of Maine advocates bicycling safety, education, and access in Maine. Numerous resources, tips, events, and a bicycling trails database can all be found on their Web site. Healthy Maine Walks provides a central location for towns and local groups to register both in- and outdoor walking routes, including descriptions of registered walks for those interested in locating places to walk. Maine Cardiovascular Health Program Working through a network of community, government, and health partners, the program explores prevention opportunities in neighborhood, school, work site, and health care settings as well as promoting a lifestyle that includes physical activity and healthy eating.		Weight-loss regimens suit people who devise them Whether it's a competition, putting new twists on old foods or just exercising, people find out what works. [Portland Press Herald 5/23/06] Have you successfully lost the pounds? Inspire others with your story and photos.