FitSugar

Most Dangerous States for Driving This Summer

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 14:15:00 -0700

The national Center for Excellence in Rural Safety (CERS) at the University of Minnesota recently released a list of the states where Americans are more likely to die in a traffic crash on a rural road. To see where your state falls in the top 15 most dangerous states to drive, read more

1.) Maine
2.) North Dakota
3.) South Dakota
4.) Iowa
4.) Vermont
5.) Montana
6.) Wyoming
7.) South Carolina
8.) Mississippi
9.) Arkansas
10.) West Virginia
11.) Kansas
12.) Nebraska
13.) New Hampshire
13.) Kentucky
13.) Idaho
14.) Oklahoma
15.) Missouri
15.) Minnesota

...And no, I am not losing my mind. There are double numbers because some states tied.

So please be extra careful this summer if you're going to be taking a trip in the car and buckle-up too!

The Most Active States in America

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Are people in your state active?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, has put together a list of the most active states, as well as the least active states in the nation. Each state is ranked based on the percentage of people in each state meeting physical activity recommendations. Does your state make the top ten?

Alaska: 56.7%
Vermont: 55.9%
Wisconsin: 55.6%
Wyoming: 54.8%
Montana: 54.7%
New Hampshire: 54.4%
Oregon: 54.3%
Washington: 52.9%
Maine and Utah: 52.8%
California: 52.7%

Yay California - woot, woot!

To see the most sedentary states, just read more

The following ranks states by the percentage of people who are physically inactive, defined as those who report being physically active for less than 10 minutes per week.

Puerto Rico: 37.3%
Kentucky: 28.8%
Louisiana: 25.3%
Tennessee: 24.3%
West Virginia: 24%
U.S. Virgin Islands: 22.3%
Mississippi: 21.9%
Alabama: 20.1%
North Carolina: 19.5%
Georgia: 19%

To see the full list, visit the CDC website.

Top 10 Most Medicated States

FitSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Where you live affects many elements of your daily life, like how often you walk to your destination as opposed to drive. Based on a new study by Kaiser Family Foundation, which side of the Mason-Dixon line you live on could affect how medicated you are.

According to numbers compiled by the Kaiser Family Foundation the top ten medicated states, based on the number of retail prescriptions filled per capita annually, were in the South. Many states were considerably higher than the national average of 11.1 prescriptions filled annually. Here are the top 10 medicated states.

Public health experts believe the high prescription drug usage is related to obesity rates, which are also higher in the South. Obesity is a risk factor in many chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

To see the least medicated states, read more.

To see how all 50 states and the District of Columbia fare, check out State Health Facts. Were you surprised where your state ranked? Tell me in the comments section below.

Source

Healthiest State of the Nation Is...

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:30:00 -0800

Compared with last year, there has been a little shake up in the rankings this year of the healthiest state. Vermont edged out Minnesota, but the real take away message from the United Health Foundation annual survey is: health rankings for all states show a decline in health. That my friend is not good news at all.

The survey is based on a variety of health indicators as well as state policy regarding health. Here are some of the factors taken into consideration for the rankings: obesity rates, tobacco and alcohol use, high school graduation rates, as well as state laws and regulations promoting better health. The survey also measures access to health services and also environmental issues like pollution, infectious disease rates, and crime.

The top 5 states are:
1. Vermont (also voted best state for raising children)
2. Minnesota
3. Hawaii
4. New Hampshire
5. Connecticut

If your state is not in the top and you want to see where it ranked, just read more

6. Utah
7. Maine
8. North Dakota
9. Massachusetts
10. Nebraska
11. Rhode Island
12. Washington State
13. Wisconsin
14. Iowa
15. Idaho
16. Colorado
17. South Dakota
18. Montana
19. Wyoming
20. Oregon
21. New Jersey
22. Virginia
23. Kansas
24. Pennsylvania
25. California
26. New York
27. Illinois
28. Maryland
29. Ohio
30. Alaska
31. Michigan
32. Indiana
33. Arizona
34. Delaware
35. Missouri
36. North Carolina
37. Texas
38. New Mexico
39. Nevada
40. Georgia
41. Florida
42. South Carolina
43. Kentucky
44. West Virginia
45. Alabama
46. Tennessee
47. Oklahoma
48. Arkansas
49. Louisiana
50. Mississippi

I have to admit I was bummed to see California smack dab in the middle of the list. How do you feel about your state's ranking? Tell me all about it in the comments section below.

Fattest State Revealed: Mississippi Again?

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0700

The results of a 2007 government survey given by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are in and it's not looking good for Mississippi. It seems this state has had the highest obesity rate every year since 2004, and they're still in the lead now. Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Louisiana are not far from the top of that list though, with more than 30 percent of the adults living there fitting into the obese category. The South has a larger concentration of rural residents and black women, two groups of people who tend to have higher rates of obesity. The typical Southern diet that's high in fat and rich with fried foods may be partly to blame.

So which state is the leanest? To find out read more.

Ahh Colorado. I knew it. Only 19 percent of this state is considered obese. This state has a reputation of being active with its ski mountains, and biking and hiking trails, which encourages people to move a lot more.

This survey was conducted over the telephone and may not be as accurate, so the CDC hopes to conduct a new project where they actually go out and weigh people. I'd be curious to see if the results change.

Source

The Healthy State of the Nation

FitSugar — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 02:30:00 -0800

The United Health Foundation has an annual report that ranks the states based on a number of factors including access to care, incidence of preventable disease, smoking rates, child poverty rates and motor vehicle deaths.

The healthiest states are:

Minnesota
Vermont
New Hampshire
Hawaii
Connecticut

To find out what the most unhealthy states are, read more

The most unhealthy states are:

Louisiana
Mississippi
South Carolina
Tennessee
Arkansas

The report also listed states with the largest improvements and declines in overall health since last year...
Most improved: Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin and Kansas.
Most declined: New Mexico, Idaho and West Virginia.

Source

Which State is the Safest State to Raise a Child?

FitSugar — Tue, 01 May 2007 14:30:00 -0700

You know I love healthy competition, especially when it is states against each other competing for the number one spot. The most recent ~~competition~~ ranking to be released is the First-Ever Summer Child Safety Ranking Report from Safe Kids U.S.
The Top Ten Safest States:

Vermont
New Jersey
D.C.
New York
Delaware
Massachusetts
Colorado
Rhode Island
Pennsylvania
California

To see the ten least safe states, read more
42. North Dakota
43. New Mexico
44. Mississippi
45. Tennessee
46. Kentucky
47. Nebraska
48. West Virginia
49. South Dakota
50. Alaska
51. Wyoming

To read the full report, check out safekids.org

Did you know that an average of 17 children a day (or 2,143 children in total) died from May to August in 2004 due to preventable injuries? I surely didn't. The most common preventable deaths are drowning, biking, falling, motor vehicle passenger injuries and pedestrian injuries. So as parents, let's be proactive and get active with our kids -- Go outside and do stuff with them, heck you may even burn a few calories too!

Fit's tip: Put helmets on your kids if they ride anything with wheels.

Don't Blow Your Healthy Habits at the Movies This Weekend

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:53 -0800

It's a big movie weekend, for sure. With New Moon finally out, I've already committed myself to spend an afternoon at the theater - the only complication is that I'm not so fond of the movie-theater fare. It's an admittedly challenging place to stick to healthy food choices, since there usually aren't any to begin with. Just in case you don't believe me, recent research is revealing just how unhealthy movie popcorn can be - and it's probably a lot worse than you think.

An article from WebMd highlights the Center for Science in the Public Interest's findings on the state of popcorn, which claims movie theater popcorn is just about as bad for you as "a pound of baby back ribs and a scoop of Haagen-Dazs ice cream or maybe two Big Macs" - and that's before you even add the butter. For the study, researchers sent samples of popcorn and toppings from three different movie theater chains and compared their findings to the chains' own nutritional information. What they found is likely to make you rethink how you view your movie treat.

The study's results show that the calorie count of movie theater popcorn ranges from just about 400 to 1,200 calories, and contains an alarming serving of saturated fat that's equivalent to three days worth of your daily recommended portion, and anywhere from 200 (in the smallest 6-cup size serving) to 1,500 milligrams of sodium. Additionally, the study revealed that both AMC and Regal theaters pop their popcorn in coconut oil, which has a saturated fat content of a whopping 90 percent. Cinemark theaters, which pops their popcorn in canola oil, earns the rep as the healthiest chain, with a significantly lower saturated fat content - ranging from 2 grams in the 420-calorie small size to 5 grams in the 910-calorie large popcorn bucket. But, keep in mind that popcorn is usually just a part of the order - add a soda or your choice of candy, and your order is easily nearing 1,700 calories.

To learn about healthier options at the movies read more.

To avoid a serious caloric overload on your movie outing, the solutions are simple. Opt to share a small, unbuttered popcorn, and request that it be popped without salt (according to the article, these chains will happily oblige), or knosh on something healthy before you head out. If you can, bring a small bag of almonds or a piece of fruit along. Be smart about your choices, and don't let one afternoon at the movies spoil your healthy habits. It's totally fine to indulge every now and then, but a 1,200-calorie serving of popcorn that packs more saturated fat than you need in three days is hardly a treat for your bod or health.

When Winter Rolls In, Don't Give Up on Working Out

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:30:52 -0800

It isn't hard to explain why our workouts get a little lackadaisical when Winter rolls in - 'cause, baby, it's cold outside - and it's pretty understandable that a lot of us lose our motivation to get outdoors for a run or a bike ride. So, how actually do people who work out through the Winter do it? An article from The New York Times reveals exactly that - and how some people manage to get up "the high activation energy" required to stay committed to fitness during the bitter Winter months.

Turns out, if you're new to fitness, you're more likely to give into a little workout hiatus when it gets colder and darker out. According to Janet Buckworth, an exercise physiologist at Ohio State University, it's the opposite for exercise veterans. “If you are beyond the point that you are learning how to exercise, you can’t imagine not running in bad weather,” she says. In fact, some exercise enthusiasts relish the challenge of an outdoor workout in Winter, even going on "epic" bike rides during snow storms and blizzards.

Regardless, you don't have to be an extremist to keep up a Winter workout routine. The key? Just get into something you could really stick with long-term. Choose a form of exercise that you're excited to do, and can keep up when Winter arrives. Group classes are great, and Buckworth recommends finding something you can do indoors, getting a friend to go with you, and even something as simple as updating your playlist with music you love to keep exercise fun and help you stay committed to your fitness regime.

Healthy Eating Tip: Don't Eliminate, Elaborate!

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:00:14 -0800

When approaching health and fitness, many of us have the mentality that less is more. While this may be a healthy perspective to avoid overeating and practice portion control, a restrictive diet can wreak havoc on your mood and leave you wondering whether there’s anything out there you can eat. Instead, alter your state of mind: rather than thinking about what foods to cut out, start to think of your daily menu as a chance to add great-tasting, healthy options. Challenge yourself to make the most of your mealtime and see just how many creative and good-for-you foods you can include in your daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner routine.

To get creative, I like to take a cue from vegan menus. Let me start by saying that I am not vegan. I love poultry and seafood, but each time I decide to dine vegan, I’m always amazed by the variety on the menu. Every item is loaded with healthful, delicious ingredients that remind me to think outside the box the next time I’m planning a meal.

To get creative meal ideas, just read more.

Craving lasagna or a baked potato? Don’t deprive yourself these treats, simply reimagine them and treat yourself to a healthier version. An eggplant stacks is a great alternative to cheesy lasagna, and using fresh herbs, crumbled tofu, and fresh red pepper means it’s loaded with bold flavors and good-for-you ingredients. A baked sweet potato is another great option – and a great way to satisfy your craving for starch. Plus they are one of the healthiest vegetables around, since they contain vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and fewer calories than your regular potatoes. Even small changes like these can be big steps toward a healthier attitude and a healthier you.

To get creative ideas from your fellow FitSugar readers, check out their healthy food swap ideas.