04/14/2006
Cornell and nutritionists find a balance
By: Mitchell Trinka
Finding a Balance, a conference organized by the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Dutchess County and held on April 5, was a success with more than 130 people coming together to learn about healthy eating and exercise habits, as well as the most current research regarding healthy lifestyles
The conference, held at the Holiday Inn on Route 9 in Fishkill, began with a light breakfast and then moved directly toward tackling its slated objectives: identifying positive and negative trends in nutrition and identifying strategies aimed at influencing attitudes about food and fitness and promoting healthy eating and active living in local communities.
Carol Devine, an associate professor of nutritional studies at Cornell University, spoke about the changing array of diet options available to individuals looking to adopt healthier lifestyles at home and at work.
She pointed out changes in modern living since the 1980s that have increasingly contributed to the cumulative weight gain of today's society.
Devine said that in many families, both parents are working long hours, and feel the need to rush things like the preparation of meals or reach out to the tempting convenience of fast food. Choices like these have in effect increased the amount of carbohydrates and calories in diets.
"They're eating out more," said Devine, adding the importance of setting an example for children. "Kids follow what their parents do."
Another factor Devine cited as a contributing factor was the limited access to fruits and vegetables, an unfortunate trend caused in part by their relatively high cost compared to other foods.
"It's a condition of their lives as opposed to a choice that they're making," said Devine.
Her partner, Mary Maley, a health educator for Cornell's program on breast cancer and environmental risk factors, sought to educate participants by presenting the findings of an experiment conducted in Delaware County called the Small Steps project, a pilot test of a community-based model for environmental change aimed at preventing obesity.
Maley said it was a chance to apply healthy information to real life.
"In order to face a real problem, we need to face it at a community level," said Maley.
Key components of the model included: identifying trouble areas, engaging key partners and any other people whose support would benefit the initiative, and assessing the state of the diets and exercise habits of members in the community. Finally, working with the community, the most appropriate and effective means of intervention would be determined and later implemented.
"You need to decide what you're gonna measure and how," said Maley.
In the case of the Delaware project, said Maley, residents didn't want choices to be taken away from food selections, but they wanted to see more options available at social functions. The Delaware group also decided they would organize walking groups. Currently there are 13 walking groups in the area of the Delaware project. The community newspaper adds up total steps weekly, and charts how far the groups have walked to date.
Devine said a grassroots movement is important to a community especially given the fact that what is right for one community may not necessarily be the best idea for another.
"There really has to be a change in the culture," said Devine.
Lastly, Neal Pire, a fitness professional of 26 years and vice president of fitness and wellness services at Plus One Fitness in New York City, spoke about methods of survival in a world inhabited by couch potatoes.
Pire, a sought-after fitness expert who has lectured to medical, professional, and community groups, ended the conference advising attendees to avoid the sedentary lifestyle, adding that an active lifestyle along with healthy nutrition is the way to go.
©Millbrook Round Table 2006
