8 Ways to Stick to Your Diet While Friends Indulge - On Fitness (usnews.com)

8 Ways to Stick to Your Diet While Friends Indulge - On Fitness (usnews.com)

Your Diet And Smoking Top Risk Factors For Cancer

There is another boost for reducing health risk factors to manage health,this time in cancer prevention.
The two health risk factors in particular are:

1-Smoking
2-Unhealthy eating
They are the top two modifiable health risk factors.

According to a report:
-450,000 fewer Amricans would die each year from smoking if people quitted.
-25% of cancer can be traced to dietary
-Colorful vegetables and fruit would prevent lung cancer
-Vegetable protein over animal protein lowers the risk of cancer
-Plant protein like soy has cancer prevention benefits.

Here is more about this recent report.

These two health risk factors are also used in a patient health education program to teach self care at home.

WatchingTV Could Be Unhealthy For Toddlers

Toddlers who watch TV are unhealthier than those who do not, according to a recent study. Researchers followed 1,314 children born in Quebec, Canada in 1997 and 1998.

Parents reported on how much television the kids watched at 29 months and 53 months.

Teachers evaluated them at age 10 for:

• Their academic ability


• Pyschosocial function


• Health habits

Result-For every extra hour TV watched there was:

1. A corresponding 9% less exercise


2. 5% rise in body mass index (BMI).


3. Decreased in academic achievement

Read this report

What Can I Give?

Gifts of health can be chosen based on the immediate needs of the person. Several can be seen displayed on the right.
Persons requiring lifestyle changes are need in many ways. They need reassurance and support, they may be struggling to make it work, they may be affected financally.
Those with with physical problems may be managing their health for a full recovery.
Give a gift that would make a difference.
If the person is a teen facing challenges with addiction, give a gift to motivate or to educate.
Behaviour modification can be powerful tools for this.
If health risk factors are hindering the person's success with being healthy, give a gift to enlightening and make aware them aware

Give them a subscription to online health education.

Give a gift certificate if control is more important than surprise.


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Text messaging & Email effective with Quitters

There is good news for smokers planning to quit. Researchers analysed data from 4 trials in the UK, New Zealand and Norway.

The interventions were:

1. Text messages with advice and encouragement sent regularly to smokers' mobile phone


2. Text messages to the phone in conjunction with email

They found that mobile phone intervention appeared to increase the prevelance of self reported smoking abstinence at 4 weeks after cessation.

They also found an increase in long term self reported quitting with the Internet and text messsages. Data was taken from the same trials. More studies are planned on the long term effects of mobile phones.

If you know of someone who must quit or who is planning to quit give them a gift of one of these text messaging

Text Messaging Linked to Smoking Cessation

It is good news for smokers planning to quit. According to a recent report, text messaging and email are linked to smoking cessation.

Researchers analysed data from 4 trials in the UK, New Zealand and Norway.

The interventions were:

1. Text messages with advice and encouragement sent regularly to smokers' mobile phone
2. Text messages to the phone in conjunction with email

They found that mobile phone intervention appeared to increase the prevelance of self reported smoking abstinence at 4 weeks after cessation.

They also found an increase in long term self reported quitting with the Internet and text messsages. data was taken from the same trials.

More studies are planned on the long term effects of mobile phones

It has also been proven that help from family and friends is effective in bringing about that change.
If you know of someone whose goal is to quit, give them one of these instead of a pair of shoes, for example. Give them that gift of health. Read the report here

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This is an example of text messaging available in both a US & a UK version.

A Report On Alcohol

Do you know someone with an alcohol problem struggling to make changes? Is their lifestyle affecting yours?
According to scientists 1 person will die every hour as a result of excess alcohol. The number of alcohol related deaths has tripled in the last 25 years.

Researchers explored the link between consumption of alcohol and alcohol related deaths.
They found the number of alcohol related deaths had increased from 3,054 in 1984 to 8,999 in 2008.
In the UK 1/3 of men said they drank more than 21 units in an average week, while 1/5 of women said they drank more than 14 units.
These persons need peer and family support and involvement.

Give them a gift of health to assist and encourage the change of behaviour instead of another. There are many available online.

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Behaviour Change & Health

I remember when behaviour modification programs for conditioning new behaviour was only possible through 1:1 interaction and face to face with a health professional.
Today it is possible at home, online, on mobiles and even while travelling.
Advances in technology and the trend towards self care have contributed to this shift.
For example:
*Text messaging can be delivered to your mobile at a time when the change is required.
* Subliminal messaging through CD's, DVD's and MP3 can reach the subconscious mind to help bring about change.
*There are online programs with 1:1 coaching
If you know of someone who is struggling with a behaviour change problem. Instead of giving them just a gift, give them one of these for health 'With love.'