#544
Date: Sun, 4 Sep 2005 08:58:36 -0500
From: "Mark J. Kittleson, PhD, FAAHB" <kittle@SIU.EDU>
Subject: FW: FW: Key Messages Hurricane Katrina
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Michael wanted me to share this with the HEDIR...
Mark J. Kittleson, PhD, FAAHB
Professor, Health Education
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Health Education & Recreation Southern Illinois University
618-453-1841 (office)
618-453-1829 (fax)
-----Original Message-----
From: healthedman@cox.net [mailto:healthedman@cox.net]
Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2005 9:51 PM
To: Mark J. Kittleson, PhD, FAAHB
Cc: healthedman@cox.net
Subject: Re: FW: Key Messages Hurricane Katrina
Mark,
While in Baton Rouge, about 9 this morning helping my son load up Sunbeam bread
for the community, I met two South Carolina (Go Cocks, go!) Red Cross
Volunteers, along with a Baton Rouge Volunteer, who were loading bread to
deliver, with other life saving supplies, to Jefferson Parish (a Baptist Church
on Airline, not certain of exacty where). The Red Cross, thankfully, is here.
Michael
PS: Please share this with the list.
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#545
Date: Sun, 4 Sep 2005 16:43:05 -0400
From: Don Ardell <donardell@KNOLOGY.NET>
Subject: Should we distinguish between behaviors/habits that enhance well being
and those that do so only by arresting the destruction of well being?
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Folks: =0D
Early in August, Thomas L. Fariss, MD, MPH, Regional Medical Director of = the
Kimberly-Clark Corporation, sent out a survey to health educators asking = for
opinions about the ten healthiest behaviors. He obtained responses from over
fifty people, all involved in one way or another in health promotion= ,
including physicians, nurses, health educators, researchers, graduate students
and other scientists. Many respondents, naturally, suggested tha= t optimal
health rests within "the context of individuals and can't be easi= ly summarized
in a 'top 10 list' that has relevance to everybody." Dr. Fari= ss weighted the
entire collection of rank order behaviors submitted, assigne= d ten points to a
number one ranking, nine points to a number two ranking a= nd
so on. No respondent's list was given more weight than others. =0D
Here is the list of "top 10 behaviors for achieving best health" that Dr.
Fariss obtained from his survey, in rank order. (I did an essay on this survey
which appeared at SeekWellness.com on August 2, 2005 -- (http://ww= w
seekwellness.com/wellness/reports/2005-08-02.htm.) My own top ten are in
parenthesis.=0D =0D 1. Aerobic/strength training, exercise regularly. (Vigorous
daily exerci= se of one hour, at least. Occasional rest days.) =0D =0D 2.
Healthy eating. (Wise nutrition, most of the time.)=0D =0D 3. Stop smoking/using
tobacco products. (Acts that nourish a supportive environment.)=0D =0D 4. Stress
management. (Conscious awareness of ways meaning is found and attendant time
given to passions.)=0D =0D 5. Regular checkups/health screenings. (Doing things
that are fun--a play= ful
outlook.) =0D
=0D
6. Adequate sleep. (Thinking with a mindset/perspective of optimism and
resilience.)=0D =0D 7. Avoid excess alcohol. (Taking time to rest, relax and
take stock.) =0D =0D 8. Maintain healthy weight. (Doing something for others
(family, causes,
etc.) =0D
=0D
9. Adequate or extra daily water intake. (Practicing critical thinking,
particularly regarding religious nonsense, bogus remedies, foolish nostru= ms
and the like.) =0D =0D 10. Safe driving/seat belts/helmets/avoid drinking and
driving. (Make a point of keeping expectations at modest levels. Kid around that
you're go= ing to win the Tour de France or be elected president or something
beyond the pale but recognize that genetically and otherwise, it's nearly a sure
thi= ng that it ain't going to happen, no matter how hard you train or campaign.
With modest, understated goals, you can still take a shot at the mountain= top
but the pressure is off, stress is diminished and, best of all, the thri= ll
will be immeasurably greater when you achieve both little and surprisingl= y big
things.)=0D =0D Dr. Fariss also listed the NEXT ten behaviors for achieving best
health, = as well as a few "honorable mentions." =0D =0D 11. Allow time for
self.=0D 12. Socializing with friends and family.=0D 13. Maintain healthy
relationships/supportive network.=0D 14. Maintain healthy emotions: laugh, cry,
love.=0D 15. Avoid substance abuse/addictions.=0D 16. Life balance.=0D 17. Safe
sex practices.=0D 18. Recognizing spirituality.=0D 19. Adequate sun
protection.=0D 20. Manage medical conditions.=0D =0D Honorable mentions (no
particular order) included:=0D =0D
* Recognize occupational and environmental risks.=0D
* Satisfaction with work.=0D
* Engage in hobbies.=0D
* Have health insurance.=0D
* Cut down on caffeine use=0D
* Take vitamins.=0D
* Keep immunizations current.=0D
* Maintain dental health.=0D
* Daily meditation.=0D
* Get smart (seek lifelong education), get rich (higher socioeconomic status
linked to better health) and get laid (healthy and active sex life= ).=0D =0D
Dr. Fariss offered a few comments about his survey list, such as how the first
three behaviors were by far the most important for the majority of respondents
but below that, consensus dropped sharply. He also noted tha= t=20 a few of the
"top 10" list are not as supported by science (e.g., drinkin= g extra water,
regular checkups) but were popular recommendations." =0D =0D In one striking
way, I found Dr. Fariss' survey results as disappointing = as that short-sighted
list of "Seven Healthy Habits" made famous nearly half= a century ago by Dr.
Lester Breslow based upon studies in Alameda County, California in the 1960s.
That list was as follows:=0D =0D
* Not smoking.=0D
* Moderation in consumption of alcohol.=0D
* Regular exercise. =0D
* Weight control.=0D
* Eating regular meals--especially breakfast.=0D
* Avoiding between-meal snacks.=0D
* Getting a good night's sleep).=0D
=0D
As with Dr. Fariss' list, most of the behaviors on Breslow=92s list did N= OT
consist of health-enriching behaviors. Rather, the list consisted of behaviors
that, unless AVOIDED (e.g., smoking, abusing alcohol, etc.), wo= uld destroy
health and diminish the quality of life. Why can't health educat= ors including
the physicians, nurses, researchers, graduate students and oth= er scientists
who contributed to Dr. Fariss' list, distinguish between the t= wo?
Until educators do make distinctions between positive versus negative habits
(the former are better motivators), the public will have a hard ti= me gaining
an appreciation of the enormous differences between a wellness lifestyle and the
prevention of illness states. Remember--wellness lifestyles are designed for
advanced physical and psychological well-bein= g; illness avoidance strategies
are minimalist actions or non-actions in man= y cases (e.g., not smoking) that
do not detract from but neither do they contribute to optimal health. =0D =0D Oh
well. No reason YOU can't focus on your OWN list of top wellness behaviors. Pick
the health enhancing kind of initiatives and be confiden= t that the illness
avoidance payoffs will follow as a pleasant side effect.=
=0D
=0D
Be well and always look on the bright side of life.=0D =0D Donald B. Ardell,
Publisher =0D ARDELL WELLNESS REPORT =0D
288 Beach Drive NE, 11C =0D
Saint Petersburg, FL 33701 =0D
(727) 824-5645 =0D
E-mail - donardell@knology.net =0D
http://www.seekwellness.com/wellness/index.htm
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