Women and Your Unique Health Needs

Women account for approximately half of the population in the United States and Canada and their health is influenced by several factors, such as culture and traditions, ethnicity, education, socioeconomic status, working conditions, and coping skills.   Women have unique life cycles, and it is important to eat healthily throughout child-bearing years to perimenopause to menopause and beyond.

As a dietetic professional, I will create a personal wellness program specifically designed for you, which will include healthy eating habits and exercise programs.

I also serve as an advocate for public policy, legislation, and financial allocation to optimize the nutritional status of women, and I continually push for gender-specific research in this area.

What You Eat, Nutrition, and Lifestyle Factors               
Many young U.S. women (20 to 50 years of age) are not getting the recommended daily allowance of a variety of nutrients.  The majority of women (57%) do not meet the recommended requirement of five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day.  In both the U.S. and Canada, while both countries are seeing the percentage of energy from fat decrease over time, there has been an increased consumption of the total amount of fat and refined carbohydrates.  These intake patterns are associated with the increased prevalence of obesity and insulin insensitivity, as well as factors that may promote the development of cancer.

Women on the Go
Women today typically lead much more active lives and wear many more hats than their mothers did.  With many women employed outside of the home, time for food preparation at home has decreased and meals outside the home have become the norm.  As we all know, frequent dining at fast food restaurants is not conducive to a healthy diet. 

Even if your life is beyond busy, I can help you choose healthy foods that are readily available, and portion sizes that are satisfying.

Exercise is also important and it’s vital that you make time for it.  Whether you work outside of the home or work from home, a well-planned exercise regime is necessary to look and feel your best.  Many women say they have little time or energy for exercise – I can help you fit physical activity into your life and implement it into your individualized wellness program.

Menopause
Nearly 24 million North American women are in their menopausal years, with the majority experiencing weight gain during this period.  Studies have shown that a lifestyle intervention using a low-fat, low-calorie, high fiber diet plus regular exercise during primenopause may decrease this weight gain.  What you eat can go a long way in enhancing your overall health during menopause and post-menopausal years!

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis and low bone mass (osteopenia) currently affect over 45 million North American adults aged 50 years and older.  The disease is a complex condition characterized by reduced bone mass and deterioration.   The most common bone disease in humans, it affects all ethnicities – but mostly women.  One in two women will suffer an osteoporotic-related fracture once in her lifetime.   These can be particularly devastating to older women and men, frequently confining them to long-term care.

The good news is that for most people, osteoporosis is largely preventable.  And, since there is no cure for the disease, prevention is crucial.  This is best accomplished by maximizing peak bone mass during early adulthood and by maintaining a healthy lifestyle throughout life to keep bones strong.  Instilling the proper dietary guidelines and exercise at an early age is the key!

Nutrition is a very important factor in the development and maintenance of bone structure, as well as the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.  Of all the nutrients or food components that affect bones, calcium and vitamin D are the most important.  If you cannot eat enough calcium rich foods, you should add a calcium supplement to your diet.