R 161340Z MAR 00
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC//M-RA//
TO MARADMIN
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UNCLAS
MARADMIN 142/00
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC MRS//
SUBJ/MARCH 2000 HEALTH PROMOTION MESSAGE//
POC/M. W. GILDAY/CAPT/CMC MRS/-/TEL:(703)784-9542/TEL:DSN 278-9542
/TEL:DSN FAX 278-9822//
RMKS/1. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FY 2000 NATIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
CENTER OBSERVANCE OF NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH, MARCH'S HEALTH
PROMOTION MESSAGE ADDRESSES NUTRITION AND DIETARY PERFORMANCE. THE
INTENT OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF
A SOUND AND BALANCED DIET, AND IT'S IMPACT ON MILITARY PERFORMANCE.
2. NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH IS A NUTRITION EDUCATION AND INFORMATION
CAMPAIGN SPONSORED ANNUALLY BY THE AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION
(ADA). THE SLOGAN FOR 2000, "FOOD & FITNESS: HEALTH FOR A LIFETIME"
REINFORCES THE IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AS KEY
COMPONENTS OF HEALTHY LIFESTYLES. THE SLOGAN COMMUNICATES THE
FLEXIBILITY OF NUTRITION RECOMMENDATIONS, DIETARY GUIDELINES, AND THE
USE OF THE FOOD GUIDE PYRAMID AS THE FRAMEWORK FOR DAILY FOOD CHOICES THAT CAN BE PERSONALIZED TO EACH INDIVIDUAL'S FOOD PREFERENCES,
NUTRITIONAL NEEDS, HEALTH STATUS, AND LIFESTYLE.
3. HEALTHY EATING FUELS PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AT EVERY STAGE OF LIFE.
THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR MARINES, WHOSE BODIES ARE PLACED
UNDER GREATER PHYSICAL DEMANDS ON A DAILY BASIS. ONE CORNERSTONE FOR
OUR SUCCESS AS MARINES IS FITNESS, AND THIS FITNESS MUST COME FROM A
LIFESTYLE THAT INCLUDES GOOD NUTRITION AND REGULAR PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY. MARINES MUST REALIZE THAT INCREASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
REQUIRES INCREASED FOOD INTAKE TO MAINTAIN PERFORMANCE LEVELS.
4. THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (USDA/DHHS) HAVE PRODUCED "DIETARY
GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS 2000". THESE GUIDELINES PROVIDE A PLATFORM
FOR TELLING ALL AMERICANS THAT HEALTHFUL EATING AND PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY ARE KEY TO A HEALTHY, PRODUCTIVE, ENERGETIC LIFE.
5. THE BASIC HEALTHY GUIDELINES FOR BUILDING A HEALTHY LIFE ARE:
- LET THE FOOD GUIDE PYRAMID GUIDE YOUR FOOD CHOICES
- EAT A VARIETY OF GRAINS, ESPECIALLY WHOLE GRAINS, DAILY
- EAT A VARIETY OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES DAILY
- CHOOSE A DIET LOW IN SATURATED FAT AND CHOLESTEROL
- CHOOSE BEVERAGES THAT LIMIT YOUR INTAKE OF SUGARS
- USE LESS SALT WITH YOUR FOOD
- IF YOU DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, EXERCISE MODERATION
6. BY FOLLOWING THESE NUTRITIONAL GUIDELINES, MARINES CAN PROMOTE
HEALTH AND REDUCE THE RISK FOR CHRONIC DISEASES SUCH AS HEART
DISEASE, CERTAIN CANCERS, OR DIABETES. THESE DISEASES ARE THE
LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH AND DISABILITY AMONG AMERICANS.
7. THE PROPOSED STRATEGY FOR PROMOTING OPTIMAL HEALTH AND REDUCING
THE RISK OF CHRONIC DISEASE IS TO OBTAIN ADEQUATE NUTRITION FROM A
WIDE VARIETY OF FOODS. VITAMIN AND MINERAL SUPPLEMENTATION MAY BE
APPROPRIATE, BUT IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE UNLESS A HEALTH CARE
PROVIDER IDENTIFIES THE NEED, AND MUST ALWAYS BE USED WITH COMMON
SENSE. DO NOT EXCEED THE DOSAGE RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
MORE IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER.
8. YOUR SEMPER FIT CENTER CAN ASSIST YOU IN YOUR SEARCH FOR OPTIMAL
HEALTH. SEMPER FIT PERSONNEL HAVE THE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE
INDIVIDUAL MARINES WITH FITNESS ASSESSMENTS AND CUSTOM EXERCISE
PROGRAMS. THEY CAN ALSO DETERMINE YOUR OPTIMUM WEIGHT, AND PROVIDE
SOUND EDUCATION ON NUTRITION.
9. ENHANCING OUR READINESS FOR THE CHALLENGES OF THE 21ST CENTURY
REQUIRES THAT ALL MARINES, MALE AND FEMALE, FROM OUR YOUNGEST
PRIVATE TO OUR SENIOR COMMANDERS, BE PROACTIVE IN ENHANCING HEALTHY
LIFESTYLES AND REDUCING HEALTH DETRACTORS FOR A FIT AND READY
FORCE.//
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