Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Living Well

Twenty years ago, one out of every four American adults was obese. Today, one in three are obese and nearly half of all adults are overweight.

What is happening? Are we eating more fat than we did 20 years ago? Yes, a couple of grams a day, according to surveys. Are we exercising less? Yes, but there were plenty of couch potatoes back then, too. At least one nutritionist thinks some of the blame might be placed on what we drink.

Sales of energy-yielding beverages like sodas, fruit juices, specialty teas and coffees and sports beverages are up dramatically. Dr. Rick Mattes, a professor at Purdue University, says people are drinking more calories than ever before, but are not adjusting their food intake accordingly. This means overall calorie intake is up.

A recent research study conducted by Mattes and his graduate student showed that adding 450 calories a day as solid food to his subjects' diets caused them to decrease their calorie intake from other food. But when the 450 calories came from soda, calorie intake from food did not go down and overall energy intake was up by the amount equal to calories in the soda.

The good news is, it is fairly easy to change how much and what you drink. There are plenty of low-calorie and calorie-free beverages available, including water. So if you are like millions of Americans concerned about their weight, think before you drink.

AFFORDABLE CHILD

CARE A PROBLEM

In Arkansas 63.3 percent of women with children under age 6, and 75.1 percent of women with children ages 6 to 17 are working. Finding good quality, affordable child care is a problem for Arkansas working parents. This is especially true in rural areas.

Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is helping to ensure that Arkansas children will have care that is top notch. Extension has developed a series of classes for child care providers that will be available across the state in 2000. These are offered free to help meet the state requirements of ten hours of classes. At the same time, the information from the classes will help ensure children receive care from well-informed providers.

There are many things that well-informed child care providers need to know. Here are some of these ideas that will be included in classes:

How to select professional advisors.

Teaching Money Management Makes $ense.

The new Food Guide Pyramid for young children.

Dealing with picky eaters.

Child abuse and neglect.

Safety in the child care setting.

The developing brain of a child: making the connection.

Making the most of the early years.

Infant and toddler development.

Surrounding infants and toddlers with learning opportunities.

This information and much more will be available during ten classroom hours of instruction in 2000. Child care provider classes will be available all around the state.

There will be no charge for the classes.

Call Candace Carrii at the Nevada County Cooperative Extension Service at 887-2818 for additional information.