Check out the Employee Gym All-Stars for July and August.
The top three employees with the most employee gym visits during each month will receive a HIGH FIVE token. Collect these tokens throughout the year and turn them in at the end of 2017 to choose from a variety of small prizes for your hard work.
Congratulations employees!
Check out these statistics on childhood obesity by the American Heart Association.
Understanding what qualifies a “healthy” weight can be a little tricky if you are just jumping on your scale at home. The number that you see on the scale does not paint the total picture of your health. It is only one objective measurement.
Body Mass Index – or BMI – is a number that can help determine if your weight is healthy. It’s another tool in the toolbox.
BMI is a measure of how much you weigh compared to your height. BMI charts identify a weight range that is healthy. Now, charts don’t know all the ins and outs of personal health that need to be considered when trying to achieve a healthy weight. But they at least provide a snapshot of where you are currently at compared to others.
So what does your BMI mean?
Obesity doesn’t need to be a taboo or scary word. With more than one-third (36.5%) of U.S. adults having obesity, healthy weight efforts is a task we should openly embrace.
Does BMI work for children?
The BMI measurement can be used to see if your child is at a healthy weight. Children’s BMI scales are similar to adults but are also based on their gender and age. Be sure you use a scale specifically designed for children when calculating BMI for your child.
Check out the links below for BMI calculation information. It just may be the motivation you need to make those healthy lifestyle changes stick. And remember, BMI charts are not fool proof; there are clinical limitations that need to be considered when measuring BMI. That’s why it’s always a good idea to work with your doctor when making changes to your health plan.
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm
http://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=childrens-bmi-calculator-41-ChildBMICalc
The prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States continues to put our children at risk for poor health. An estimated 12.7 million children and adolescents are currently fighting obesity in our country.
Trends in obesity rates are declining among 2-to 5-year-olds, stable among 6-to 11-year-olds, and increasing among 12-to 19-year-olds.
Recent national data show that childhood obesity rates have stabilized at 17% over the past decade. Despite this fact, the rate is still too high.
Why? Because with obesity comes potential health risks at an earlier age:
Obesity in childhood also means future health risks. Children who have obesity are more likely to become adults with obesity.
Take a look at the trend in obesity in the adult population since 1990:
Throughout the rest of the September watch for postings on this important topic and learn how you can take steps to help stop this epidemic.
Sources: cdc.gov; stateofobesity.org
This past Saturday September 9th, FirstLight staff hosted a game on hole #4 on Springbrook Golf Course in Mora as a service event to raise money for cancer. At the same time we were able to boast about our new 3D mammography machine, promoting early detection and breast cancer prevention.
Our game this year was BRA PONG! No golf club required! We raised a record $840 for our local cancer chapter.
Volunteers at this event were: Kate Olson, Jen Bonde, Tracy Havel, Bryanna Lindahl, Karen Renaud and Deb Wright. Thanks so much for the fun energy and spirit throughout the day!
And special thanks to Katie Koppy, Kim Tepley and Brett Anderson for their creative input on the game. It was a hit!
For new moms that are nursing, sometimes your day can feel like this:
We have lots of employees at FirstLight that are committed to nursing their babies-which is a trend that will most likely continue with increased awareness and education efforts. The wellness team has been working to support these efforts.
A lactation room is available on the first floor of the hospital to help accommodate new moms that need to pump at work. Check out the recent changes to this room!
Thanks to the support of Partners in Healthy Living and SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Partnership), we were able to secure a small grant to cover the cost of making this space comfy and cozy for our nursing moms. Grant dollars covered the chair, table, mirror, and artwork. Thank you SHIP!
According to the National Institutes of Health, research shows that breastfed babies have lower risks of: asthma, Leukemia (during childhood), obesity, ear infections, eczema, lower respiratory infections, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and Type 2 diabetes, just to name a few. Breastfeeding also saves money and time, not to mention the incredible bonding it also creates between mom and baby.
Keep up the great work mamas!
For more information on how FirstLight supports breastfeeding employees, check out our Nursing Mother Accommodations.
Other Community Efforts: there is also a portable lactation tent available for use at outdoor community events made possible through a partnership between Partners in Healthy Living, SHIP, Kanabec County Community Health, and FirstLight.
Contact Family Services at 320-679-6330 if interested in using FREE of charge for a community-sponsored event.
High blood 
pressure is a risk factor for heart disease. But there are simple things you can do to help control it. One way is to lower your sodium intake.
Check out the education below on sodium-where it’s hidden or the salty six, how it contributes to high blood pressure, what excessive amounts do to the body, and ways to lower your sodium intake. It’s a lot of info but well worth the read.
Take the quiz to test your sodium knowledge too!
And don’t forget – join over 130 employees and get your pressure checked this month in the “Time To Check” Challenge!
9 out of 10 Americans eat too much sodium infographic
Effects of excessive sodium on health and appearance
Change your salty ways in 21 days
Take part in this month long employee wellness challenge and receive a cool stress management prize.
August is High Blood Pressure Awareness Month
This is the last day of the GET YOUR PLAY ON Challenge!
Submit a photo by THIS FRIDAY AUGUST 4TH showing your favorite way to play at a Local, State, or National Park or recreation area during the month of July.
Parks and Rec Employee Challenge
Thank you to these employees for making the FirstLight float in the Mora parade a big hit!
