Campaign to Visit Omaha to Rally Residents to Eat Right, Move More and Milk Their Diets OMAHA, Neb., May 16
OMAHA, Neb., May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The last decade can be defined by the
ups and downs of different fad diets -- which seem to go in and out of fashion
like shoulder pads and hemlines. Yet, long-term success has been slim. Two
out of three Americans -- including 25 percent of Nebraska residents -- remain
overweight or obese.
A new campaign crossing the country, the Campaign for Healthy Weight, is
rallying Americans behind the healthy weight cause and urging people to think
more about their "health" instead of simply a number on the scale. Studies
indicate that small, specific changes in physical activity and calorie intake
can make a big difference. And, people who maintain a healthy weight are less
likely to be at risk for weight-related health conditions, such as heart
disease. The Campaign will make its stop in Omaha on May 17, to urge local
residents to change their "diet" mindset and elect a new attitude.
"Health management is really starting to become a bigger part of weight
management," said Amy Shmid, R.D. "The key is to make small, sustainable
changes that can last a lifetime. Drinking lowfat or fat free milk as a part
of a healthy daily eating plan and walking more every day are two easy
adjustments that can go a long way in supporting a healthy weight."
Weighing in on the American Diet
A new report called Weighing in on the American Diet found that the number
of adults who say they are on a diet has steadily decreased over the past
decade. The study, conducted by The NPD Group in collaboration with the Milk
Processor Education Program, found the majority of Americans say they are on a
diet for their health and their weight; 68 percent say "feeling healthier" is
why they're dieting.
People who are watching their weight, however, are making less than
optimal beverage choices. Coffee, soft drinks, teas and juices are most
likely filling their glasses and cups, with milk being the fifth most
frequently consumed beverage -- only 14 percent of all beverage occasions.
The report found that adult dieters who made drinking lowfat or fat free milk
a daily habit were more likely to have a healthier body mass index (BMI), a
better quality diet and were less likely to feel nutrient-deprived, compared
to dieters who didn't.
Milk supplies two nutrients, that along with physical activity, are
especially important when cutting calories -- calcium to prevent bone loss and
protein to help build muscle mass. Studies suggest that drinking the
recommended three glasses of lowfat or fat free milk a day along with a
healthy diet can help maintain a healthy weight. Researchers have also found
that people with higher intakes of milk tend to be leaner and are less likely
to gain excess weight than those who drink little or no milk.
Milk -- The Beverage with Your Health Interests at Heart
People who maintain a healthy weight are less likely to be at risk for
weight-related health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood
pressure and some types of cancer. In addition, some studies have linked
meeting the recommendations for lowfat and fat free milk along with eating
fruits and vegetables to a lower risk for high blood pressure and heart
disease, as part of a heart-healthy diet. The American Heart Association 2007
Guidelines for Preventing Cardiovascular Disease in Women emphasize eating
fresh fruits, vegetables and lowfat milk and milk products.
"I always encourage people to include three servings of lowfat or fat free
milk as part of a heart-healthy diet and to walk everyday," said Amy Schmid.
"With nine essential nutrients, including calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D,
protein and potassium, milk is a great way to get a nutrient boost."
Omaha Pledges to Maintain a Healthy Weight
As part of milk's proud support for the American Heart Association's
Start! Heart Walks in cities across the country, the Campaign for Healthy
Weight will be at the Start! Heart Walk this Saturday, May 17 to rally
Americans to eat right, move more and milk their diets. Participants will be
able to sample delicious, heart-healthy lowfat and fat free milk from local
processor, Roberts Dairy.
To learn more about the Campaign for Healthy Weight and the findings from
the Weighing in on the American Diet report, log onto http://www.whymilk.com.
Visitors to the site can take the healthy weight pledge, get tips on how to
maintain a healthy weight and find out if their beverage choices may be
derailing their efforts.
The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), Washington, D.C., is
funded by the nation's milk processors, who are committed to increasing fluid
milk consumption. The MilkPEP Board runs the national Milk Mustache "got
milk?" Campaign, a multi-faceted campaign designed to educate consumers about
the health benefits of milk. For more information, go to
http://www.whymilk.com. The tagline "got milk?"(R) was created for the
California Milk Processor Board by Goodby Silverstein & Partners and is
licensed by the national milk processor and dairy producer groups.
SOURCE Milk Processor Education Program
