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Providence Residents Survey About Children & Obesity 

 

PROVIDENCE, RI – Between September 10 and September 22, 2015, the American Heart Association surveyed 505 people in a variety of settings across Providence through brief person-onthe-street surveys. Just over half of the respondents (259) were parents of school-aged children and 96 respondents predominantly spoke Spanish.

Candace Pierce, Director of the ANCHOR Project that led this effort, said, “On the positive side, there is very strong public support for polices to increase physical activity among school-aged children. But on the negative side, the general public is overly optimistic about the amount of exercise that children get and they wildly underestimate the health impact of being overweight or obese.”

When parents were asked where their children exercised, 86% responded that they exercised in school during Physical Education (PE) class and 50% believed their children got exercise during recess. In fact, recess takes place only at the elementary school level and children are not required to be physically active during recess. Rhode Island state law currently mandates an average of 100 minutes per week, or 20 minutes per day, split between health and physical education. Parents appear to be unaware of how little physical activity their children actually get during the school day.

“Getting exercise and being active is essential for anyone to stay healthy but it is especially critical for younger members of our community. Not only will exercise will keep you in shape and help you stay healthy throughout your life, it also makes it easier to focus, learn and do well in school,” said Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza. “I am committed to providing opportunities for our youth and for all residents to be active and stay healthy.”

The American Heart Association guidelines recommend children have 60 minutes of overall physical activity every day and, for elementary school children, 150 minutes per week of PE year-round. Very few schools, if any, meet this recommendation in the state of Rhode Island. 85% of all those surveyed believed that the state should meet those guidelines for PE in schools. In addition, 89% think that Rhode Island schools should be required to inform parents about how much physical education their children are receiving each week, as well as details about the quality of those PE classes.

“It’s a generational disconnect. Folks who grew up having PE and active recess most days assume that kids are exercising and moving their bodies during the school day as much as we did. The truth is, children are spending much of their time sitting and don’t even walk to and from school anymore. As physical activity dropped off, rates of obesity and overweight have climbed,” according to Pierce.

While schools cannot be expected to solve the problem alone, School District leadership understands the expectation and the opportunity. “Physical activity plays an important role in the healthy development of students at all ages. As these survey results highlight, school is a leading source of this activity for many children in the city,” said Christopher Maher, Interim Superintendent of the Providence Public School District. “Our District is committed to ensuring our students learn, grow and succeed in all areas of their education careers, including physical education.”

One of the most unexpected results from the survey concerned public understanding of how a person’s health is impacted by being overweight or obese. Pierce said, “Given the amount of attention paid to obesity in recent years, we expected that people would have a better sense of how being overweight could be dangerous and even deadly, but more education is obviously needed.”

When asked if they knew anyone who had ever had a health problem from being overweight or obese, remarkably, 63% of those surveyed said that they did not. The number was higher for Spanish speaking respondents (79%) as compared to English speaking respondents (59%). Due to the fact that obesity is a complex disorder and a major health risk factor linked to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and early death, it was surprising learn how few people made the connection.

It is not likely that the 505 people surveyed don’t know anyone who is overweight or obese, because the rates of both are high in Rhode Island. Results from the 2012 National Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) found that adults in Providence were more likely to be overweight or obese than to be a healthy weight. In fact, nearly 60% of women in Providence were overweight (29.1%) or obese (30.3%), and nearly 65% of men in Providence were overweight (40.5%) or obese (23.8%). According to the report, 61.8% of Providence adults are overweight (34.6%) or obese (27.2%). This shows the need for improving the health of all Providence residents and this the reason why it is so important that children in Providence start early to build life-long healthy behaviors.

There was some good news buried in these survey results which showed that the vast majority (85%) people stated they and their families would use the school-based facilities (playgrounds, tracks, gymnasiums, etc.) for exercise if those were open to the public outside of school hours. 37.1% reported they would use those facilities three or more days a week.

“Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do to ensure that you live a long, healthy life! Small changes in how active someone is can help them control their weight, improve their moods, maintain strength and mobility, and reduce their risks of developing chronic conditions,” said Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. “At the Department of Health we are partnering with cities, towns, and other state agencies to make sure that the environments in every community in Rhode Island encourage exercise and healthy living. No one’s zip code should ever limit their opportunities for physical activity.” Page 3

About ANCHOR Providence:

The American Heart Association was awarded a Centers for Disease Control ANCHOR grant to reduce chronic diseases and health disparities among low-income and minority populations. Given high rates of obesity and overweight, Providence, Rhode Island, was chosen as one of 15 target areas nationwide. Goals are aimed at increasing physical activity among Providence Public School District students, and increasing access to healthy foods and beverages at childcare centers, hospitals, and workplaces located in the city. About the American Heart Association: The American Heart Association’s 2020 impact goal is: By 2020, to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent.

The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. For more information about the organization’s local work, visit www.heart.org/sne.

All That Matters Shares Top Ten Reasons to Practice Yoga in Honor of National Yoga Month

South Kingstown, R.I. — In honor of National Yoga Month, All That Matters—Rhode Island’s award-winning yoga and holistic health center with locations in Providence, East Greenwich and South Kingstown—has shared 10 reasons to practice yoga. For individuals working at a desk or on their feet, athletes looking to build strength and enhance performance, people in high stress environments, those seeking inner peace and more, the principles, and practice of yoga provide a great foundation for a healthy lifestyle.

 

“Yoga is for everybody! At All That Matters, we welcome students of all ages and abilities. You don’t need to be fit, flexible, or have special clothing and accessories,” said Joan Dwyer, All That Matters co-founder. “Each yoga class includes deep stretching exercises, rhythmic breathing, and relaxation techniques that can benefit us all!”  

 

Whether looking to manage stress, establish better balance and alignment, complement strength training or simply relax and have fun, the mental and physical practice of yoga—that gracefully weaves together the disciplines of exercise and meditation—can have a dramatic effect on wellbeing. Here are 10 reasons to practice yoga: 

 

1. Stress relief

2. Body pain relief

3. Improved breathing

4. Improved flexibility and mobility

5. Increased strength

6. Weight management

7. Improved circulation

8. Cardiovascular conditioning

9. Improved body alignment

10. Ability to focus on the present

 

Students new to yoga at All That Matters* are eligible for an Explorer Pass—a special offer for three weeks of unlimited yoga for just $30. With the Explorer Pass, new students can try different classes, times, teachers, styles, and locations. Additionally, the Explorer Pass can be used as a coupon for $30 off the first month of All That Matters Membership (regularly $89 a month). 

 

For more information about All That Matters, visit www.allthatmatters.com. Follow All That Matters on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AllThatMatters), Instagram (@allthatmattersyoga) and Twitter (@ATMyogacenter) for special yoga perks.  

 

* Open to Rhode Island and Bristol County, Mass. residents who have not been to a yoga class at All That Matters, Eyes of the World or Focus Yoga since June 1, 2014.

 

ABOUT ALL THAT MATTERS

Founded in 1995, All That Matters offers more than 100 weekly yoga and meditation classes—including workshops and professional trainings—at locations in Providence, East Greenwich and South Kingstown. The South Kingstown center includes a retail store as well as health services, ranging from acupuncture and chiropractic to massage and spa treatments. Voted Rhode Island’s Best many times, All That Matters makes it easy to embrace a healthy lifestyle. Learn more at www.allthatmatters.com.

Direct Doctors: Innovative and Effective Primary Care

Mark-and-Laurenand-logo-300x200
Direct Doctors is an innovative and effective Primary Care practice that has made its permanent home here in Rhode Island.  Dr.Lauren Hedde and Dr.Mark Turshen started this unique practice with one common goal…to create a direct path between the patient and the doctor.  This particular model eliminates the “middle-man” and puts the patient in immediate contact with the physician. In turn, your quality of care is  greatly improved for a variety of reasons.  First and foremost,  time spent at the practice is time spent with the doctor.  You are not sitting in the waiting room…waiting.  In fact, you will not be doing any waiting.  You simply schedule your visit, walk in the office and ring a bell.  Your doctor will actually be the first and the only person you see on your visit.  No receptionist, no nurse, just your primary care physician.   A typical visit to the doctors is comprised of a lot of waiting and little time with the doctor.  This business model allows for a longer visit with a doctor by eliminating the time spent scheduling, calling, waiting, filing out forms and the like.  Secondly, these visits are in depth, giving the doctor the opportunity to really know each patient.  This critical measure in preventative care is all too often not achieved in a “typical” primary care model.  Direct Doctors has removed the excess and made room for quality time with individual patients.  Not only can a patient spend a significant amount of time with the doctor, they will also have access to the Primary Care Doctor 24/7!  Additionally, the entire process eliminates the stress involved with scheduling and attending your appointments.  The 24/7 access to a doctor is more than peace of mind, it is also going to save unnecessary and costly trips to the ER and avoid needless worrying.  With this type of practice, one can rest assured knowing that the Primary Care physician is there when they are needed.
Have a look at how Direct Doctors maximizes time:

 

direct docs

This type of care is affordable by way of a monthly subscription.  The low monthly fee allows you and your family direct access to your primary care physicians.  Have a look at the subscription fees:

Monthly Subscription Fee

$10 / Child Under 21 (with a parent subscription)
$50 / 21-44 years old (or, first child without a parent subscription)
$75 / 45 – 64 years old
$100 / 65+ years old
Home Bound – pricing by location
 Expectant mothers will be overjoyed to know that the first set of newborn visits take place in the comfort of one’s own home.  This is a practice that a family or an individual can plan on growing with.  Rhode Island welcomes this fresh take on Primary Care.
Listen to a recent podcast interview with Drs. Lauren Hedde and Mark Turshen to learn more about the practice and about these two incredible doctors.

Lauren Hedde DO  and Mark Turshen MD are both accepting patients at their office in North Kingstown.  If you, like many others, feel a bit unsettled with a typical practice…this direct care model is a perfect solution.  Both Mark and Lauren are looking to grow with their patients and families.  Being parents themselves, they understand the need to learn about families, their habits, lifestyle and their health history.  Direct Doctors has removed all the obstacles that typically occur between patients and doctors.  A direct doctor-patient relationship is the ultimate goal.  A relationship where your needs are addressed with each and every visit.  Direct Doctors is, as its name suggests…a direct path to your Primary Care Doctor. Take the worry and waiting out of primary care by opting for this direct practice model.

Dr. Mark Turshen MD and Dr. Lauren Hedde DO are accepting new patients at their Direct Doctors family practice in Wickford.  Direct Doctors is an innovative primary care practice emphasizing an improved doctor-patient relationship.  Drs. Hedde and Turshen offer 24/7 access, no waiting, same day visits, home visits, and a doctor who knows YOU well!  If you are frustrated with “fast-food,” “cookie-cutter” healthcare, Direct Doctors may be just the prescription for you. Check out the Direct Doctors difference at www.directdoctors.org, email directdoctors@gmail.com, or call 401-400-2699.

Learn more by visiting their website:

www.directdoctors.org

Call, email, or connect on Social Media:

401.400.2699
directdoctors@gmail.com

 

Back Pain is Quite the Drag!

DD blog - back pain

As I get older, I’m starting to notice more aches and pains in my every day life, just like a lot of my patients. Back pain has bothered me off and on for the past several years (it has been acting up recently!) and is the top complaint for patients in a primary care setting like ours.  It got me thinking about things we can all do to prevent back issues in the first place, along with simple treatments should these pains arise.

Avoid downtime and loss of productivity at work…

Prevention:
– Weight control: keeping an ideal body weight is crucial in staving off multiple musculoskeletal issues, and back pain in particular. The more weight one’s core has to carry around, the more wear and tear over the years and the higher chance of acute injuries.
– Posture is key: correct posture in all aspects of life (standing, sitting, sleeping, etc) is crucial to keeping the spine correctly aligned, evenly distributing weight and limiting specific pressure points.
– Stay active: the worst thing for the back is inactivity, especially in poor posture positions like sitting at a desk!

Treatment:
– again, staying active is key despite the discomfort as “bed rest” has shown to be detrimental to recovery
– targeted stretching and exercises, either at home or with a physical therapist
– heat, heat, heat. All forms (hot showers, heating pads, topical bengay/icyhot) are welcome
– osteopathic manipulation or chiropractic services
– acupuncture and yoga
– analgesic medication, though caution required with other medical conditions and medications
– herbal therapies such as devil’s claw, willow bark, capsicum cream and comfrey root extract

STAY ACTIVE!!!

Dr. Mark Turshen MD and Dr. Lauren Hedde DO are accepting new patients at their Direct Doctors family practice in Wickford. Direct Doctors is an innovative primary care practice emphasizing an improved doctor-patient relationship. Drs. Hedde and Turshen offer 24/7 access, no waiting, same day visits, home visits, and a doctor who knows YOU well! If you are frustrated with “fast-food”, “cookie-cutter” health care, Direct Doctors may be just the prescription for you. Check out the Direct Doctors difference at www.directdoctors.org, email directdoctors@gmail.com, or call 401-400-2699.

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