Family Readiness Leaders Get Tips on Health

By Pfc. Cody Barber, 11th Public Affairs DetachmentOctober 23, 2010

Family Readiness Leaders Get Tips on Health
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 22, 2010) - Colonel Holly Olson gives information to the Family Readiness Group leaders on individual health at the Hyatt Crystal City Hotel Oct. 22. She talks with the FRG leaders about health issues women face and what they c... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 22, 2010) - Colonel Holly Olson, director of medical education in charge of all graduate professional health education at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, spoke to 470 Family Readiness Group (FRG) leaders here today, pertaining to maintaining their individual health.

The FRG leaders, representing Army units nationwide, are gathered in the nation's capital to attend the third annual U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) FRG Training Symposium from Oct. 21 to 27.

Olson kicked off the training by challenging FRG leaders to name the number one killer of women. Though most FRG leaders replied with "breast cancer," Olson quickly corrected them, stating that breast cancer is second to coronary artery disease, which is actually the number one killer of women in the United States.

"It's estimated that 41 million women will have cardiovascular disease in the country and often they don't [view] this as their highest health risk," she said.

To stress the importance of individual health, Olson warned FRG leaders of multiple health risks such as; obesity, unplanned pregnancy, cancer, cardiovascular disease and tobacco use. She explained that many health issues are partly related to one's family health tree.

"It's important to know what your family 'brings to the table,' because it does modify your risk factors," said Olson. "If your family members have heart attacks at age 40, it has a major impact on your health."

She not only warned them about health issues women will face but also she gave tips on how they can improve their health and reduce their risk of having health issues.

There are things that you can do to control problems such as diet, exercise or medication, said Olson. These are things you can do every day to get to a healthier you.

Olson also offered recommendations that can be done every day to help improve health:

Aca,!Ac Watch what you eat,

Aca,!Ac Exercise,

Aca,!Ac Avoid toxins such as smoking,

Aca,!Ac Walking fast,

Aca,!Ac Water Aerobics,

Aca,!Ac Doubles Tennis,

Aca,!Ac Riding a bike,

Aca,!Ac Pushing a Lawnmower.

"You should do this for 2 hours and 30 minutes a week," said Olson. "You can break it down into three, 50-minute workouts or six, 25-minute workouts and whatever activity you choose, it has to be something you enjoy enough to do consistently."

For more information about how you can stay healthy, reference the Centers for Disease Control Website: www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/adults.html .

"You are the best first-line of defense in your own health care," said Olson. "It's not all up to your doctor to keep you healthy, you have to work together and be involved."