In the preventive medicine field, the focus of many interventions is on modifiable risk factors.  That is, things you do or conditions you have that you can change.  For example, you can quit smoking, be physically active, and eat a healthy diet to reduce risks for many chronic diseases.  You can further reduce risks by controlling things like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes by taking medications as well as adopting healthier habits.  Then there are those unmodifiable health risks – age, race, gender, and family history (aka genetic make up).  These are things we are stuck with.  Or

I don’t know how many of you out there are fans of the summertime reality TV show, “So You Think You Can Dance.”  I sure am.  And if you watched it last week, you’d know why.  Two of the contestants performed a dance about a woman dealing with breast cancer that was emotional, inspiring, and powerful.  Sorry, but the link to the YouTube clip of the dance has been removed because of a copyright claim by the prducution company.  You can tune in on Wednesday nights for the next two weeks to catch the remaining dancers dance their hearts out! We

KaBOOM, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing play back into children's lives, recently released its third annual list of "Playful City USA" communities. To make this list, communities must make creative commitments to the cause of play in the areas of quantity, quality and access. Quantity relates to the number of usable, open playspaces. For example, the Indianapolis Parks and Recreation department is conducting a study that would involve converting abandoned housing and vacant lots and turning them into urban mini parks. Quality involves subjective factors that encourage repeated use and make playspaces engaging, exciting, interesting, and fun. For example,

Increasing opportunities for active living is one of the tenets of the Stand Up & Eat web site.  About a year ago, when gas prices were at an all time high, we blogged about how energy efficient bicycle riding is compared to using a car – even a hybrid. In another blog, we linked to a video that showed that commuting by bike can be faster than public transportation and private car. And we have hinted that active commuting is a healthier way than driving to get to where you want to go. Now there is proof.  Well, sort of.

101 degrees.  Ugh!  And it is only the middle of July. Summer is upon us.  And here in Texas, that means you stay indoors – a lot.  This can be a problem because when you hide inside you’re closer to the fridge and the Laz-E-Boy.  Calorie balance can get really out of whack in the summer in the south.  Here are ways you can get up and/or get out during the hot months.  Remember, when it’s hot outside, your body needs more water.   Make sure you stay well-hydrated whether you choose to move indoors or outdoors.  Indoor at Home Pop

Last week I gave you links to senior-focused physical activity resources.  This week we are going to jump to the other end of the age spectrum – infants, toddlers, and pre-school age children.  Babies and little kids???  You bet! Just  as we have said that you are never too old to start being more active, you’re never too young.  But with children of this age, the focus of physical activity is less on calorie burning and more on motor skill development, bonding with caregivers, and learning the enjoyment of movement, and active play.    Infants and Toddlers According to the American

For more than a year, the Stand Up & Eat blog has kept you in step with the latest research findings on the health benefits of reducing sedentary living and being physically active.   We have also pointed you to new guidelines that are hot of the press.  In the coming weeks, we will do a round-up of useful resources that will help people of all ages get moving.  This week, we focus on seniors.  Check ‘em out! Exercise & Physical Activity: Your Everyday Guide from the National Institute on Aging – is a downloadable book targeted to getting seniors up

According to the U.S. Forest Service and the Ad Council, the time children spend outdoors has declined 50% in the past 20 years due to factors like: safety concerns, population shifts to urban/suburban areas, an increase in indoor activities (TV, computers, video games), and lack of awareness of or access to nearby nature locations. However, study after study show the benefits to kids of physical activity, outdoor play, and spending time in nature. Reduced stress, improved medical and physical well-being, increased fitness, lower levels of obesity, and increased use of imagination, discovery, and exploratory skills are just some of these benefits.  

Summer has arrived!  Yesterday – the summer solstice – made it official.  With summer comes ice cream, a delicious, somewhat nutritious (i.e., calcium), hot weather treat.  But be mindful that ice cream is high in calories.  For example, a Baskin-Robbins banana split would add 1,010 calories to your day’s total calorie intake.  For many people, that could be more than 50% of their daily calorie need! The Stand Up & Eat website is dedicated to calorie balance.  So check out the table below to see how much physical activity you* would have to do to burn off those 1,010 extra calories

Bill and Will are 32-year old identical twins. Bill works as a computer programmer and Will is a third-grade teacher. They grew up in a household where healthy eating and being physically active were everyday habits. They are passing on these healthy values to their young children.   Currently Bill and Will both exceed the public health physical activity recommendations of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise weekly. Bill prefers to bicycle four days a week for 45 minutes while Will jogs with his golden retriever for 30 minutes six days a week.  Given their genetic oneness and a lifetime