Sound food choices needed to battle Centre County’s diabetes, obesity issues

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics sponsors National Nutrition Month every March. The campaign focuses on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

There are similar messages surrounding Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day, which will be celebrated Wednesday, March 8.

Lynn Parker Klees, senior instructor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Penn State, noted that every three years, Mount Nittany Health conducts a needs assessment for the community.

“The largest problems related to nutrition in our community continue to be diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease at all ages,” said Klees.

Klees, who has a master’s degree in nutrition and is a registered dietitian nutritionist, a licensed dietitian nutritionist and a certified dietitian educator, pointed out a program that is working to change the nutrition culture in Centre County.

Centre Moves is a community-based organization working with its partner organizations to change the culture to one more focused on health through increased opportunities for exercise and improved nutritional choices. In this way, people can learn to manage and prevent diabetes and obesity-related diseases. For more information on this program, visit www.centremoves.org or the Centre Moves page on Facebook

Klees noted that many people eat out frequently, and fruits and vegetables are often lacking on potluck tables, and even in some restaurants. It also is important to know how much added sugar is in food and beverages.

“We are hardwired to prefer sweets, so if we are constantly given the choice to eat something we perceive as delicious, it is hard to continually turn it down,” said Klees.

She doesn’t advocate cutting out all desserts, but said that our culture needs to change to include healthy choices at our events.

Portion size is an area where many could benefit from cutting down. We are served much more than we need when eating out, and it has been suggested to use smaller plates at home as a way of cutting down the amount we eat.

Regarding seniors, Klees said, “The elder population who become less active and may have less of an appetite present their own dilemmas in nutrition. They still need to have protein twice a day and they should find ways to include some fruits and vegetables, whether canned or frozen. Smoothies are one way to tempt the palate and not appear to present as much challenge to someone with little appetite.”

If smaller appetites have led to unwanted weight loss, Klees suggested what she calls layering. Instead of plain toast, add peanut butter and then add honey or jam for an extra calorie boost. Small snacks throughout the day often work well. Calories can also be raised through beverages.

“For someone struggling with low appetite and energy, the best suggestion is probably to work with a registered dietitian to individualize a plan. This is the same answer for other nutrition problems also,” she said.

Registered dietitian Paige Whitmire educates clients at One on One Fitness Consultants, 424 W. Aaron Drive, State College.

“I meet with a first-time client for about a half hour and get an idea what their problems or goals for nutrition might be,” said Whitmire. “A person coming to work with a trainer to benefit their body may also be diabetic, have gastrointestinal issues or want to lose weight. I talk with them and gain some insight into their nutritional state. After that, if they wish to work with me, I can arrange a schedule.”

Whitmire, who has a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from Penn State, served a PSU- based dietetic internship at Hershey Medical Center. She worked at the Bellefonte YMCA for four years and started at One on One in September 2015.

 “A personal trainer works with each person and designs a workout according to the client’s needs and goals,” said Whitmire.

One area of the One on One facility is filled with the usual types of machines, but there are other areas that are open, leaving room for individuals to work their plans.

Ryan Burke, partner and director of business development, said that One on One, open for 30 years, is not just a gym, but a wellness center that offers nutrition education.

One step at a time, the health environment of Centre County can change to produce healthier and more productive citizens.