Better Health: Not Just Another New Year's Resolution

Losing weight is a common New Year's resolution, and one that is usually quickly forgotten. The holidays are fast approaching and with them festivities, food, and unwanted pounds. But you don't have to wait until next year to aim for better health. Newly published consumer brochures from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) can help you and your family start the journey to better health now.

Helping Your Overweight Child provides tips on helping your child become more physically active and practice healthy eating habits, now and throughout the year. Take Charge of Your Health: A Teenager's Guide to Better Health gives teens guidance on ways to eat and exercise that may help them feel better and boost their energy. Improving Your Health: Tips for African American Men and Women lists tasty, lower-fat versions of some favorite holiday foods such as fried chicken and collard greens flavored with salt pork. And, as you begin exploring ways to get active and make better food choices, the weight-for-height chart in Weight Loss for Life will help you determine your healthy weight range.

"These brochures offer consumers science-based, helpful ways to eat healthier and to get regular exercise, even during the hectic holiday season," says Susan Yanovski, M.D., director of the Obesity and Eating Disorders Program, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), a part of the NIH. "People don't need to deny themselves their favorite holiday treats, just eat less and build physical activity into their holiday plans."

Provided by the federally funded Weight-control Information Network (WIN), these brochures are free and can be obtained by calling WIN's toll-free number 1-800-WIN-8098, or by visiting its web site, www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/win.htm. In addition to information on weight loss, WIN's toll-free number and web site provide information on topics such as developing a community-based obesity prevention program, weight cycling, walking, very low-calorie diets, and binge eating disorder.

In 1994, the NIDDK, a part of the NIH, established WIN in response to the growing problem of overweight and obesity in the United States. Overweight and obesity may increase a person's chances of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, gallbladder disease, joint disorders, and certain cancers.

For additional information on WIN, write or call: The Weight-control Information Network 1 WIN WAY Bethesda, MD 20892-3665 Phone: (301) 984-7378 Toll-free number: (800) 946-8098 E-mail: WIN@info.niddk.nih.gov