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LIFE IN ACT!ION

NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH

TYPE II DIABETES REACHES EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS IN YOUTH Medical professionals have recognized an epidemic of type II diabetes in

youth for nearly 3 decades. Acknowledging that there are many variables

that play a role in the acquisition of type II diabetes such as genetics,

environment and lifestyle, the highest incidence in North American youth

has been seen in minorities and obese youth. In the late 1990’s, 30% of

new type II diabetes diagnoses were youth between the ages of 10-19*. In

1992 type II diabetes comprised approximately 2-4% of all childhood

diabetes cases, however in just a 2 year window of time, the percentage

increased exponentially to 16% of all new cases. The rapid increase in the

prevalence of type II diabetes in youth, has led to a variety of diagnostic

and classification issues for medical professionals, but perhaps an even

greater challenge has been determining how the community can bolster

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR ACT! FACILITATORS CHRONICLING CURRENT EVENTS IN HEALTH INNOVATION

IN THIS ISSUE

Type II Diabetes Reaches Epidemic

Proportions in Youth

Far Reaching Implications of Child-

hood Obesity

Seasonal Sense-ation: Turnips

ACT! Facilitator Shout Out: Megan

Schulad

Keeping it Creative

Reinvigoration: The ACT! Program

Looking Forward to 2013

QUESTIONS,

COMMENTS, IDEAS?

Contact, the editor at chronicdis-

easeprevention@seattleymca.org

Continues next page

YMCA OF GREATER SEATTLE

909 4th. Ave. Seattle WA 98104

November 2012

seattleymca.org

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education and prevention efforts to halt the progression of the epidemic. Various summer camp and school based

programs have had short term success advocating for healthy lifestyle behaviors such as increasing exercise and

improved nutrition, however longitudinal studies demonstrate these behaviors are not maintained long-term.

“Prevention programs are often implemented with little or no pilot testing, assuring poor outcomes. Although,

many programs incorporate some culturally appropriate strategies…they often neglect the sociocultural health

beliefs of the target population*.”

ACT! and Diabetes Prevention The program objectives of the ACT! program bridge gaps such as unsustainability and generalization that exist in

many other prevention programs. Though the ACT! program is not aimed at diabetes prevention specifically the

foundational lifestyle change principles are unequivocal and a reduction in weight by 7% has been shown to

reduce risk for acquiring type II diabetes by 58%** The ACT! program helps parents and children make

sustainable changes in activity and eating, enhances parent and child motivation to change through motivational

listening skills and helps parents learn communication skills and other strategies to positively support their

children in the long-term, ultimately setting them up for the best defense against type II diabetes as possible!

Be proud of the difference you make!

Reference: *Rosenbloom, A., Joe, J., Young, R., & Winter, W. (1999) “Emerging Epidemic of Type 2 Diabetes in Youth.” Diabetes Care: 22 (2) 345-354. **YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program in partnership

with the CDC-led national diabetes prevention program.

FAR REACHING IMPLICATIONS OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY

A study conducted by Philippa Clarke, an epidemiologist at the

University of Michigan looked at the long-term socioeconomic

implications of adolescent onset obesity. The study tracked 5,000

high school graduates until they turned 40 years old. Researchers

compared socioeconomic variables between individuals who were

considered normal weight at graduation and those who had been

overweight since age 19. Researchers found that those who were

“persistently overweight were 50% more likely to not have gone on

to have any further education beyond their high school diploma; to

be receiving welfare or unemployment compensation sand have no

current partner.”

Though the study did not address what exactly may have caused

these disparities, Clarke suggested that these individuals likely were

victims of discrimination for years, with long term self esteem and

aspirational detriments. The Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity

at Yale University conducted a similar study and found that

“overweight people are 26 times more likely to report discrimination

than their normal-weight counterparts…overweight kids are far more

likely to report being teased.” Psychologist Kelly Brownell from Yale

University, stated that teasing can become internalized and these children begin to feel inferior, “defective” even.

“Overweight children feel inferior and they tend not to aspire to such heights because they don’t believe they

deserve it.” -Kelly Brownell

Discrimination against overweight individuals has increased 66% since 2002. Brownell explained that the reason

for the increase in discrimination is because oftentimes overweight individuals are viewed as responsible for their

condition. However, Brownell states that given our current social climate and “toxic food environment” individuals

are constantly bombarded with unhealthy options, that resisting it is near to impossible. She argues that changing

the environment is the key to solving the problem. Your work with the ACT! program has long term lasting effects

on the lives of the participants in your program and is redefining the social climate surrounding obesity, which is a

step in the right direction. Keep up the amazing work!

Reference: Neighmond, P. “Impact of Childhood Obesity Goes Beyond Health.” (2010) npr.org.

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SEASONAL SENSE-ATION: THE TURNIP

Really, how much pumpkin and

squash can one eat during this

time of year? Time to shake

things up and try a root vegetable

that doesn't always get as much

attention as it deserves, the

turnip! This affordable veggie is a

rich source of vitamin C and

calcium and is a great roasted

with rosemary & sage or as an

addition to soups and stews!

Note: the greens are edible too!

Turnip French Fries

Simple twist on an classic that

packs flavor punch while sparing

the waistline:

Ingredients:

2 medium turnips cut into 1/2

inch sticks

3 Tablespoons olive oil

Seasoning to taste (smoked

paprika, sea salt)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Toss the turnip sticks in the

olive oil and seasonings of your

choice.

3. Lay the turnip sticks evenly

spaced on a cookie sheet.

4. Bake for 20-30 minutes,

checking after 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Adapted from seasonalcornocopia.com (2012)

ACT! FACILITATOR SHOUT OUT: MEGAN SCHULAD!

Megan has truly been a champion in bringing the ACT! program to those

who need it most in the South and West Seattle regions for the past 5

years! She has been steadfast in building relationships with local providers

in her area, fostering a strong referral based program for the ACT!

programs offered in both English and Spanish at the Matt Griffin YMCA. The

dedication and hard work that Megan has put into the ACT! program over

the years is a testament the impact this program has on youth in her

community. She is passionate about childhood obesity and boy does her

championing work show it! In other news Megan has been working hard on

another project over the last 9 months, a new addition to her family! We

will miss Megan while she is out on maternity leave, but will welcome her

back with welcome arms come February! Thank you for Megan, for all you

do!

KEEP IT CREATIVE

The easiest healthy choices

are the ones we don't even

know we are making.

Engaging your participants in

creative ways to make

healthier choices at meal

times or increase physical

activity will shift the focus

from the specific behavior they

are changing and more so on

the entertaining component! Utilizing motivational interviewing and listen

first principles will help you identify what activities your participants are

likely to enjoy. Being creative will help prevent stagnancy and redundancy

and not to mention keep things FUN!!

ACT! PROGRAM LOOKING FORWARD TO 2013

We have begun the exciting process of reinvigorating the ACT! program and

would like to commend your branches for your continued commitment to

empowering youth in your communities to lead healthier, stronger, more

fulfilling lives!

The plan moving forward is to equip your branch with the support needed to

build relationships with providers in your neighborhood and establish a

strong referral based ACT! program beginning Winter 2013. There will be a

few changes coming down the pike, this newsletter is one of them! Booster

workshops in Motivational Interviewing, Listen-First and Support Change

will also be offered on regular basis. Stay tuned for more enlivening

changes to come!

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WINTER PROGAM DATES:

Auburn: February (Dates TBD)

Dale Turner: January 7th-March 25th

Matt Griffin: Currently running Fall Session

Meredith Matthews: (Spanish) February 22nd-May 10th

Northshore: Currently running Fall Session

West Seattle/Fauntleroy: February 25th-May 20th

“My daughter gained a tremendous amount of confidence through the ACT! program. She’s motivated and it’s really important! She’s working on making healthier choices and helps me pick out healthy snack ingredients to eat at home. She’s going to the gym on her own and excited to do it! She is learning that healthy snacks are fun and she now wants to eat healthy and be active!” –ACT! Participant Parent

TIP O’ THE MONTH: SNACKING STRATEGIES FOR KIDS

Snacks are a necessary and important part of a healthy eating plan for youth and teens. Here are tips to share with parents of your participants to help make healthy snacking easy: 1. Let kids choose a wide variety of foods they enjoy and keep a few from each food group on hand at home. 2.Give a kitchen tour, keep kids in the know as to where they can find their favorite snacks. 3. Make the healthy choice the easy choice, keep fresh fruit and vegetables readily available and ready to grab and go. 4. Use see-through containers so kids can see what is inside the container. 5.Keep less healthy snack options out of reach. 6. Buy single serve items (100 calorie packs, raisin boxes etc.) or divide up larger bulk items into smaller packages for eating on the run. Reference: eatright.org

WANTED:YOUR FEEDBACK & SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT MONTHS FACILITATOR SHOUTOUT

Ideas for articles to be featured in next months edition of Life in ACT!ion

are always welcomed! As are suggestions of stellar facilitators to be fea-

tured in the ACT! Facilitator Shout Out section. Submit any and all sug-

gestions to chronicdiseaseprevention@seattleymca.org or 206.344.3181

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: CHILDHOOD OBESITY PREVENTION CONFERENCE

December 6, 2012 8:15am-2:45pm *Space is limited please contact

chronicdiseaseprevention@seatt

leymca.org or 206.344.3181 to

inquire about attending