Healthy Eating & Habits
We provide presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on workshops based on community, individual, and organizational needs. For more information or to schedule programs, please contact us at amymullins@ufl.edu (Dr. Amy Mullins) or suzanne.holloway@ufl.edu (Suzanne Holloway), or call us at 850-606-5200.
Chronic Disease Prevention & Management
Cardiometabolic disease refers to a group of interrelated medical conditions that involve the heart, blood, blood vessels, and metabolism. Some of these conditions include heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity.
Cardiovascular Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally. Making healthy lifestyle choices can help reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke. Knowing your numbers and understanding how to manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and body weight with a healthy diet is important to your cardiovascular health.
For resources and more information about heart health, click here.
Prediabetes & Diabetes
About 98 million Americans have prediabetes, but more than 8 in 10 adults don't know they have it. If you have prediabetes, losing weight by eating healthy and being more active can cut your risk of getting type 2 diabetes in half.
To learn more about prediabetes and diabetes, click here.
Healthy Weight
Nearly 3 in 4 adults aged 20 or older in the United States are either overweight or obese; additionally, nearly 1 in 5 children and teens ages 2 to 19 years are obese. Obesity is a chronic health condition that raises the risk of heart disease — the leading cause of death in the United States — and is linked to many other health problems, including type 2 diabetes and cancer. Losing weight can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke as well as risk factors such as high blood pressure, glucose (blood sugar), and sleep apnea. It can also help lower your total cholesterol and triglycerides, and raise HDL “good” cholesterol.
Interested in losing weight? Click here.
Physical Wellness
According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week, or a combination of both. Additionally, at least two days of muscle-strengthening activities each week are recommended.
Walking is one of the most popular forms of exercise, and there is a good reason why. There are many benefits to walking and other physical activities, including:
- Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
- Strengthen the immune system, bones, and muscles
- Improved mood, cognition, balance, and coordination
- Prevention and management of cardiometabolic diseases
In Florida, we have a statewide, hybrid educational program and challenge designed to help people achieve and maintain health through walking called Let's Walk Florida!
Healthy Eating & Cooking
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides advice on what to eat and drink to meet nutrient needs and promote health, it is called the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). These guidelines were used to create MyPlate, which has resources like healthy recipes, cooking tips, and budget-friendly shopping strategies.
Mental Health & Wellness
According to the CDC, mental health is an aspect of behavioral health, encompassing emotional, psychological, and social well-being. However, mental health involves more than just the absence of mental conditions; it allows us to handle stress, recognize our strengths, learn, work, and engage in community activities. It is a vital part of overall health and is closely linked to physical health.
For a list of mental health resources, click here.
