News & Events
01.26.2012
AHA suggests that parents should be involved in treatment programs for obese children.
01.15.2012
American Cancer Society releases updated nutrition and physical activity guidelines
01.03.2012
January is the most popular month for ads on weight loss products and services. With so many enticing options for slimming down, choosing the one that will work the best can be daunting.
12.26.2011
If your New Year’s resolution is to live healthier, USDA’s new SuperTracker can help you reach your goals.
12.20.2011
Holiday Spirits Flag as Foot Dragging Continues on Nutrition Facts Labeling for Alcohol-Containing Beverages
12.14.2011
National group urges HHS to classify obesity counseling and treatment as essential health benefits
12.11.2011
There are various ways to lose weight safely and effectively, but using homeopathic HCG products isn’t one of them.
12.05.2011
Here’s some good news for overweight kids. Being heavy doesn’t put kids at risk for heart disease later in life IF they lose weight by the time they’re adults.
11.18.2011
Recommendations from a new expert panel report on cardiovascular health and risk reduction in children and adolescents.
11.11.2011
At a 2011 American Institute for Cancer Research conference in Washington, DC, experts presented preliminary data suggesting that a brisk daily walk helps to reduce several key biological indicators of cancer risk, including sex hormone levels, insulin resistance, inflammation and body fatness.
11.07.2011
The New York City Health Department wants New Yorkers to know how sugary drinks can impact their health. They recently launched a 30-second TV spot, along with bilingual subway posters to educate New Yorkers about the health consequences linked to sugary drinks and what healthier beverages to drink instead.
11.03.2011
Beverage companies are marketing sugary drinks to young people, especially black and Hispanic youth. Despite their pledge to market fewer unhealthy drinks to children, youths are seeing more advertising overall for sugary drinks, according to a new study from the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity.
10.28.2011
Do you fear a healthy Halloween will be a frightening experience for your child? By shifting the focus from candy to costumes, no-candy treats and creative play, you can keep your kids from sugar overload without missing out on this super fun day.
10.17.2011
A new survey shows that only 30% of people told by their health care provider that they were overweight agreed with that assessment.
10.12.2011
On October 24, thousands of events will inspire Americans to improve their diets and fix our food system. Go to FoodDay.org to attend an event near you, or volunteer to organize an event for your school, church or community.
Welcome to Shape Up America!
Founded in 1994, Shape Up America! is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization committed to raising awareness of obesity as a health issue and to providing responsible information on healthy weight management. Take a journey through our website to find information and ideas to achieve a healthy weight for you and your family. If you are a health professional, you will find resources to assist your clients and patients with their efforts to attain and maintain a healthy weight.
An Important Message from
Shape Up America!
Tuesday, January 31 was the deadline set by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to receive comments on the proposed “regulatory approach” for defining what essential health benefits will be required when the new state health exchanges required under the Affordable Care Act go into effect in 2014.
In response, Shape Up America! and 26 obesity, nutrition, public health, minority health and women's health organizations and experts sent HHS a joint letter urging that the comprehensive treatment for severe obesity — defined as obesity screening, weight management counseling and the option of bariatric surgery followed by appropriate lifelong medical care and nutritional monitoring for the severely obese — be designated as an essential health benefit within the category of chronic disease management.
As the letter clearly documents, severe obesity is no longer rare; it disproportionately affects women and their offspring, minorities and the medically underserved; it is directly linked to severe pregnancy complications, disability and death from type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis and other obesity-related chronic diseases; and it consumes a large and growing portion of healthcare expenditures.
Chef Joanna's ideas for a tasty and healthy Super Bowl party
The Super Bowl is almost here! I must admit, I am not a big football fan, but I love parties! Any excuse to come together with friends, family and food works for me.
Here are some healthy options to enjoy the Super Bowl but not feel deprived. I have posted some links to great party food that is easy to make in large quantities and healthy too.
Appetizers
Mediterranean Skewers with Tzaziki SauceDo-it-yourself Grilled Pita Red Bean Hummus served with carrot, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, snap peas, and little sweet peppers
Vegan Spring Rolls
Tabuli
Main Entrees
Baked Chicken with VegetablesWaldorf Wraps with Grilled Chicken
Fusilli with Spinach
Polenta Crusted Chicken and Green Salad
Grilled Chicken or Salmon over Cauliflower Couscous
Grilled Portobello Pitas
Desserts
Vegan Pumpkin Spice BreadFruit Salad and Sweetened Yogurt and Dark Chocolate Curls
So mix and match, and throw in your creative ideas to make your ideal menu. I hope you find that some of these ideas make your party fantastic. Enjoy the Super Bowl!!
Are You Ready to Make Your New Year's Resolutions Work?
For many of us, ringing in the New Year means announcing our resolutions. The fact that we call it a resolution and declare it on New Year's usually signifies there is something challenging about it. If your resolution is to lose weight and keep it off, a key ingredient for success is “emotional readiness.”
Consumers Still Waiting for Nutritional Information on Alcoholic Beverages
For consumers planning on drinking or serving alcoholic beverages this holiday season, one gift they won’t be getting is the gift of information. That’s because the federal government continues to delay a proposal to provide consumers with basic nutrition and alcohol facts on containers of beer, wine and spirits. Shape Up America! and the Consumer Federation of America reminds everyone to consume alcohol safely this season.
press release: Dec. 20, 2011 (pdf)
alcohol facts poster (pdf)
National Group Urges HHS to Classify Obesity Counseling and Treatment as Essential Health Benefits
As the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) considers what health benefits must be covered by new state insurance plans operating under the Affordable Care Act, one of the nation’s leading groups on healthy weight for life is encouraging HHS to follow the lead of its agency, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), by extending Medicare coverage for obesity screenings and physician-based counseling to the rest of the obese population.
Shape Up America!™ staff and friends recently celebrated the 95th birthday of our founder, Dr. C. Everett Koop, 13th U.S. Surgeon General at the Marian Koshland Science Museum in Washington D.C.
UPDATE: Jason is in training preparing for the 70.3 mile Puerto Rico Half-Ironman scheduled for March 18.
UPDATE: Jason finished the 70.3 Austin in 5:28:06. Congratulations!!
UPDATE: Shape Up America! is pleased to announce that Jason Bahamundi, triathlete, has undertaken a personal goal using his participation in three upcoming triathlons to raise donations for Shape Up America! Jason will undertake the first of his planned triathlons on October 23, Ironman 70.3 Austin 2011.
Here in his own words is what he plans to accomplish:
“My goal is to raise $20,000 for Shape Up America! between now and May 19, 2012 which is the day of Ironman Texas. Through my racing of triathlon (70.3 Longhorn October, 70.3 Puerto Rico March, 140.6 Ironman Texas May) I will be covering a total of 281.2 miles between October 2011 and May 2012 and I hope that people will be willing to donate $.05 (5 cents) for each mile I race which totals out to $14. If 1,428 people donate $14, I will have raised $20,000 for Shape Up America and the education of America on the impact of obesity on our society. Essentially, I have 9 months to convince 1,428 people that donating approximately $1.50 per month will benefit our society.
“I am so excited to be racing on behalf of this 501(C)(3) non-profit organization and hope that you will help me spread the word about this undertaking.” — Jason Bahamundi
Take Our Survey
We need your help! Periodically we conduct a survey of our visitors and use the results to help guide our planning process for future programming. We really want to know what you think, and your answers will help us improve the Shape Up America! organization. Please take a few minutes to share your questions, thoughts and ideas. Your responses will be kept strictly confidential.
Donate to SUA
Please consider a donation to Shape Up America! Your tax-deductible contribution helps us develop new initiatives to address the problem of obesity in America.
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