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?

• BMI of 19-24 means you are at a healthy weight.  If you are in this range, make it your goal to stay that way!
• BMI of 25-29 puts you in the overweight category.  Check with your doctor if you need to lose weight.  For some, this category may be acceptable.  Avoid gaining additional weight.
• BMI of 30 or higher puts you in the obese category. This means you probably need to lose weight.  Talk to your doctor about the best plan for you.

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:

• high blood pressure and cholesterol, which are risk factors for heart disease
• increased risk of type 2 diabetes
• breathing problems
• joint problems and musculoskeletal discomfort
• anxiety and depression
• low self-esteem and social problems

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

 

 

 

 

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.

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!

 

Salty Six Adults PDF

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

Test Your Sodium Knowledge

Test Your Sodium Knowledge-ANSWER KEY

August is High Blood Pressure Awareness Month

August is Blood Pressure Awareness Month

Take part in this month long employee wellness challenge and receive a cool stress management prize.

August is High Blood Pressure Awareness Month

Prize options:

• Color-changing stress ball – changes color with the heat of your hand
• Back Massager
• Bendeez Stick – bend and twist this flexible stick into all sorts of shapes

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

Check out these new gluten-free snacks in the gift shop!

For those that worship the sun to those that cover up, with sunny weather in the forecast, its a good time to review some tips on how to be ‘SUN SMART’

S-Sunscreen-use it!
U-Use caution near water as it reflects and intensifies damaging rays
N-Non-melanoma-3,500,000 cases of skin cancer in the U.S. this year-the most common of all cancer types

S-Seek shade-between 10 A.M and 2 P.M.
M-Moles-get them checked
A-Apply-sunscreen 30 minutes BEFORE exposure
R-Reapply-sunscreen often
T-Tan-there is no such thing as a healthy suntan

Check out these resources for more information on sun safety and how to prevent skin cancer.

Sun safety-ACS

spot-treatable-beatable-flyer

In celebration of Park and Recreation Month in July the employee wellness committee will be hosting the Get Your Play On Challenge!

Parks and Rec Employee Challenge

Submit a photo taken during the month of July showing your favorite way to play at a Local, State or National Park or recreation area for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Bunker Beach Water Park. Submit photos to wellnessemp@welia.org by Friday, August 4th.

Here is a look at who used the employee gym the month of June.

Each time you make the All-Star list you will receive a HIGH FIVE token. Hang on to these tokens until the end of the year and turn them in for a prize!