Which way are you headed? 
In his book “Disease Proof,” David L. Katz, MD, the powerhouse Founder of the Yale Griffin Prevention Research Center, says our destiny toward well-being or illness is determined by the consequences of decisions we make every day. The leading causes of death and disease are largely the result of what we do with our feet (activity), our forks (eating) and our fingers (tactile activity like smoking). As Dr. Katz so aptly states, we are all driving our own bus on our journey toward well-being or illness.
The data doesn’t lie. Nearly 80 percent of major chronic diseases could be prevented if we make decisions that to the path of well-being.
For example: let’s talk about November as American Diabetes Month®, sponsored by the American Diabetes Association®. In the United States, 29.1 million folks have diabetes, and, sadly, 1 out of 4 people don’t even know they have it. And the shocker is, 86 million Americans have pre-diabetes, and 9 out of 10 don’t know it. We’ve heard of health complications caused by diabetes, like kidney disease, high blood pressure, stroke and others, but individuals with pre-diabetes have increased disease risks as well. You can read more about diabetes on Parkview.com.
Here’s the road to well-being when it comes to diabetes: Talk to your doctor about diabetes screening. About 9 in 10 cases can be avoided by taking several simple steps like keeping your weight under control, exercising more, eating a healthy diet and not smoking.
Ready to reroute your map to well-being? Give yourself an early holiday present, and check out Dr. Katz’s book. If you follow his advice, there will be many more holidays to come.
Remember – it’s all about what you do with your feet, your fork and your fingers!
The Parkview Center for Healthy Living
If diabetes is your concern or the concern of a loved-one, you can augment your physician and dietitian’s diabetic care by checking out these offerings at the Parkview Center for Healthy Living:
• Free 15-minute consultations with a diabetes educator
• The Nov. 20 diabetes cooking demo, “Holidays with a Twist.” Read about it in the Center for Healthy Living November newsletter.
Operation F4
On November 14 from noon – 1 p.m., free to the first 50 in attendance: A lunchtime learning session sponsored by the City of Fort Wayne’s Operation F4, Fighting for a Fitter Fort, will help you navigate healthy strategies over the holidays. Location: YMCA Central Branch, 1020 Barr Street, second floor conference room.
Operation F4 encourages healthier choices and the creation of lifelong healthy habits for every generation. Fort Wayne's mission is to lose 500,000 pounds — and the reputation of being among the unhealthiest cities — by 2016.
Healthy choices on the road
In November, Don Hall’s Restaurants, a locally famous institution, is partnering with Parkview to provide a select menu that may take a little of the guesswork out of eating away from home.Hall’s has assembled some healthier menu items and posted the nutrition analysis on their menus. Four of their restaurants are participating:
- Don Hall's Original Drive-In (South), 1502 Bluffton Road,Fort Wayne, Ind.
- Don Hall's Hollywood Drive-In (North), 4416 Lima Road & West Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne, Ind.
- Halls commissary Restaurant, 216 Highway 930 W., New Haven, Ind.
- Don Hall's State Street Prime Rib Restaurant, 2005 E. State Blvd., Fort Wayne, Ind.
We applaud Hall’s for supporting healthier dining in our region.
Reroute your health destiny, and get that bus on the road to well-being!
Be well everyone!
American Diabetes Month® is a trademark of the American Diabetes Association, Inc.
