WEST POINT, N.Y. --The statistics are startling and Soldiers at Keller Army Community Hospital gathered at the local commissary to make a positive MOVE! in their lifestyles, March 22.
As our nation struggles with the obesity epidemic Keller Army Community Hospital registered dietitian Capt. Bridget Owens is committed to ensuring that Soldiers are properly educated on basic nutritional guidelines by using the Army MOVE! program.
Army MOVE! is a weight management program designed to help Soldiers lose weight, keep it off, and improve their health. The program provides nutrition and physical activity strategies that as well as real-time sessions online or face-to-face in a medical treatment facility or wellness center. Also, participants have access to self-management tools to include a customized individualized report identifying obstacles to weight management.
Owens took Soldiers who are currently enrolled with the Army MOVE! program on a commissary tour. The group spent time reading labels, discovering healthier options to old classics like peanut butter and jelly and spaghetti, how to add flavor to water with natural additives such as fruit and the difference between unsaturated fats, saturated fats, and trans fats.
"Most people think that using olive oil or canola oil makes frying foods better. However, what they don't know is that trans fat is created when frying (especially using the same frying oil over and over again). It is really your best option to totally eliminate fried foods out of your diet," said Owens.
Owens asked the group, "How many serving of fruits and vegetables are you suppose to have a day?"
The answers ranged from three to eight servings. "Five servings of fruits or vegetables is the correct answer," said Owens.
"I drink V8 juice every day. Doesn't that constitute as a serving of vegetables?," said Staff Sgt. Carlos Gonzalez.
"While you are getting a serving of the nutrients from the juice, you are missing out on the dietary fiber. Eating a fruit or vegetable instead of drinking the juice provides you with a more full, satisfied feeling for fewer calories," said Owens
Keller's program consists of a series of eight classes with one class held each week by the Nutrition Care Department and last one hour.
After completing the classes, participants then continue seeing nutrition care monthly to maintain the support and accountability that helps some people be more successful with losing weight.
Over the past six months the program has been successful at helping many people make it to their goal weight and keep the extra weight off and lower their risk for the diseases related to overweight and obesity.
The program is available by referral from a primary care manager or self-referral for Active Duty Soldiers. Individual counseling is available to retirees and Family members age 16 and older who are interested in developing new weight control skills or just refocusing the skills already in place but not being used.
For more information on the Army MOVE! Program, contact Capt. Bridget Owens at 845-938-6661.
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