September is National Fruit and Veggie Month/National Whole Grain Month
Storytelling, cooking classes, collaborations with schools and farmers' market programs are among the creative approaches the Chickasaw Nation is using to meet their goal of better educating its clients on the advantages of healthy lifestyle choices.
"It is important that we continue to develop new methods to help children and adults become enthusiastic about healthy lifestyle choices," said Bill Anoatubby, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation. "These programs encourage people to develop habits that can help them lead healthier, more productive lives for years to come."
A favorite among area children is the Chickasaw Nation's Eagle Adventure program. This program aims to fight the increasing numbers of Native American children who are at risk for type-2 diabetes. The program teaches children in grades 1-3 and their families by using the tradition of storytelling and lessons to show the joys of physical activity, eating healthy foods and learning traditional healthy habits from their elders. Since 2010, more than 2,000 children have participated in the program.
Nationally, September is Fruit and Veggie Month and Whole Grains Month. During this time, the Chickasaw Nation Nutrition Services Department offers opportunities to help citizens make healthier food decisions. The department includes a Food Distribution program that provides nutrition education, food demonstrations, cooking classes, and food packages. In addition, it provides commodity foods through FDP grocery stores with fresh seasonal produce in nutrition centers in Ada, Ardmore and Purcell, Okla.
"Each of the aspects of FPD (Food Distribution Program) work toward a common goal," said Chickasaw Nation Community Nutrition Education Project Manager Connie Merriman. "We want the Native American people living in our communities to have the opportunity not only be healthy, but learn why they need to eat better and exercise so they can pass the knowledge on to future generations."
The program serves more than 4,200 Native American families in the Chickasaw Nation's 13-county jurisdiction located in south-central Oklahoma.
Nearly one-third of adults in Oklahoma are obese, according to a recent report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among Native American populations, the number is even higher.
The Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health estimates that nearly 33 percent of all Native American and Alaskan Natives, both children and adults, are obese. The resulting health consequences are well documented, with diabetes and heart disease being abnormally present in Native American communities across the country.
The Chickasaw Nation works to combat these statistics by educating its people and communities on the advantages of a healthy diet and exercise.
Other nutrition services projects, such as the Summer EBT for Children demonstration project, are focused on nutrition of area children. The project, still in the testing phase, provides nutritious food to children during the summer months, when they do not have the luxury of a reliable source, such as a school lunch program. More than 5,300 students in 41 Oklahoma public school districts were awarded funding for summer-time food.
Another example of collaboration is the Chickasaw Nation's Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). By partnering with the tribe's Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, FMNP is able to provide checks to WIC participants to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets and farm stands during the summer and fall months. This program is not only beneficial to those receiving funds, but it also aims to increase the awareness and utilization of local farmers' markets and farm stand locations, both of which are easily accessible throughout the Chickasaw Nation boundaries.
Though it is an uphill battle against obesity and the ever-present fast-food lifestyle, the Chickasaw Nation sees a bright future because of their dedication and variety of services aimed to educate its citizens and communities about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
About Fruit and Veggie Month
Research shows that fruit and vegetables are important to maintain good health. Yet most of us aren't eating enough fruit and vegetables.
Eating the recommended servings of fruit and vegetables can help protect you from heart disease, bone loss, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancers. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can also help you lose weight.
Check out MyPlate.gov (http://www.choosemyplate.gov/myplate/index.aspx) to find out how many servings of fruit and veggies you need based on your age, weight, level of physical activity, and gender.
About Whole Grains Month
Studies show that eating whole grains instead of refined grains lowers the risk of many chronic diseases. While benefits are most pronounced for those consuming at least 3 servings daily, some studies show reduced risks from as little as one serving daily. The message: every whole grain in your diet helps!
A serving of whole grain is defined as any of the following:
The benefits of whole grains most documented by repeated studies include:
