Because physician members of the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) have expressed concern about the epidemic of obesity in this country, ISMS has compiled a list of resources that address proper nutrition and obesity prevention.
ISMS advocates a "back to basics approach." Eating healthy and making exercise a part of any daily routine is a sound, time-tested approach to maintaining a healthy weight and decreasing one's risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In the current social atmosphere that seems to provide us with a different "miracle diet" every month, it is especially important to emphasize the physiological process of calorie consumption and calorie usage.
- AMA Healthier Life StepsTM discusses how four key health behaviors – poor diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and excessive or risky use of alcohol – are significantly related to heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other conditions. The site educates patients and physicians on how to take steps to improve these key lifestyle behaviors and how to help prevent and manage these conditions.
- U.S. Obesity Trends 1985–2007: During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. This e following slide set illustrates this trend by presentation mapsping the trend increased prevalence of obesity across each of the states.
- We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition): Provided by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. An education program designed for parents and caregivers to help children 8-13 years old maintain a healthy weight. Provides information in English and in Spanish for parents, families and health care professionals.
Interested in having a physician speak to your group about obesity? Click here to email your request to ISMS communications@isms.org or call us
at 800-782-4767.