By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – Davis Medical Center has teamed up with the Tucker County Health Department, the Parsons Senior Center and DirectCare of Parsons in the hope of helping folks make healthier choices to remain well. Diana Patella, DMC Director of Population Health, said currently, they are working with Tucker County for a healthy holiday program.
“We are working with the Tucker County Senior Center and Tucker County Health Department on the ‘Maintain Don’t Gain’ for a healthy holiday,” Patella said. “Our wellness kickoff was in the beginning of November when people had their blood pressures, weight and blood sugars were checked. We had a sign up through the 15th.”
Patella said the program lasts eight weeks and includes healthy tips and nutrition and activity guidelines.
“The average person gains five pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s,” Patella said. “Everyone is concerned about that. Not gaining weight takes lots of willpower. Jim Severino was the first guest speaker. He shared some healthier recipes and talked about nutrition and the body.”
Patella said everyone is keeping weekly weights and daily activity logs to keep on track.
“Nearly 70 people have signed up for the program,” Patella said. “About 40 people attended the first session to learn about nutrition and healthy cooking. There are people of all ages attending the sessions.”
Jim Severino, registered dietician and certified diabetes educator and director of nutrition services, said people who could not make the meetings can work on their own to maintain, not gain during the holidays.
“A lot of the traditional holiday meals are heavy in carbohydrates,” Severino said. “Instead of mashed potatoes, there are several good recipes for using cauliflower. We look at the traditional foods, and try to make alternatives that are a little healthier.”
Severino said another thing to watch out for during the holidays is serving sizes.
“Make sure you don’t overdo it with huge serving sizes and second helpings,” he said. “Instead of going through the buffet line again, do something to get out of the house – take a walk, take the dog out, or do anything besides resting on the couch and eating.”
Severino said the average weight gain during the holidays is five pounds.
“Generally, the person will lose three of those pounds, but usually retain two pounds. Exercise helps burn those calories. Those two pounds add up year after year. By the time you are in your 50s it really adds up,” he said.
In early 2016, Davis Medical Center developed a “Better Health Team” whose primary goal is sustainable community health and wellness outreach. The team is comprised of health professionals representing expertise in key chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, and pulmonary and heart disease. They work with civic/community groups, social services agencies, regional employers and the public health sector to provide key health screenings and education for the public.
“An important component of the Better Health Team outreach is Population Health,” said DMC Population Health Coach Melissa Kisner, RN. “I follow up with those persons who are identified as high risk. My role is to provide further education and coordination of additional, necessary medical care or testing. We are reducing the number of people who were not following up on a potentially life-threatening medical condition on their own.”
“Partnerships like the one recently initiated with the Tucker County Health Department, Davis Medical Center, the Parsons Senior Center and DirectCare of Parsons will generate new opportunities to improve health,” said Kisner.
The next healthy living program is slated for February which is Healthy Heart Month. Patella said there are programs and events in the planning stage for Healthy Heart Month.
Additional information is available by calling Davis Medical Center at 304-636-3300.