Americans have high rates of preventable diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Children are also becoming less healthy, with increasing rates of conditions like asthma, obesity, and early signs of heart disease. The main causes of poor health are poor diet, lack of exercise, stress, and an approach focused on treatment rather than prevention. Eating more whole foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds can help strengthen the immune system and significantly reduce risks of many diseases.

1. Teresa Hall RD, LDN,CD St. James Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Department Heart Talk October 2008

3. Americans Aren’t very Healthy Heart Disease is #1 killer of men and women1 in 3 women; 1 in 2 men will have cancer in his/her lifetime > 27% have Cardiovascular Disease > 24% of Americans have hypertension 33% of Americans suffer from arthritis 19% are Pre-Diabetic; 10% are Diabetic

4. “ This generation of children has a shorter life expectancy than their parents.” Dr. David Katz (2004), Yale University

5. Our Children are Unhealthy Too Cancer kills more children than any other disease 1 in 3 children born in 2000 will develop diabetes Asthma, up 232% over the last 40 years By age 3, children have fatty deposits in their arteries. By age 12, 70% have developed beginning stages of hardening of the arteries.

6. Obesity is an Epidemic “ 45% of U.S. adults are overweight or obese.” American Heart Association 2007 “ 1/2 of all U.S. children will be obese by 2010.” Am. College of Pediatrics

7. For every 40 pounds overweight we are, we increase our chances of… Heart attack by 360% Cancer by 80% Type II diabetes by 2060% High blood pressure by 260% Degenerative arthritis by 400% Dying by 110%

8. Why are we so unhealthy? Poor food choices Not drinking enough water Lack of Exercise Stressful Lifestyles Sleep Deprivation Environmental Factors Approach to Medicine: “ Treatment instead of Prevention”

9. Food either strengthens or weakens the immune system.

10. How much sugar is in a soda?

11. Here’s the Good News “ 70% of disease is preventable through good nutrition.” Dr. William Sears, Pediatrician

14. Eat More Whole Foods Whole Grains Nuts Seeds Beans Fruits Vegetables

15. “ The News Isn’t that Fruits and Vegetables are good for you. It’s that they are so good for you they could save your life .” Oct., 2003

17. FACT: The U.S. government has spent billions trying to find the cure for heart disease, cancer… Their Conclusion Disease is easier to prevent than it is to cure. Their Recommendation Eat 7-13 servings of fresh , raw fruits and vegetables every day. The Problem: Almost no one does.

18. Whole Food vs. Vitamins! The average multiple vitamin has 31 total isolated nutrients. An apple alone has over 10,000 phytonutrients. Only 400 are listed here!

21. Cool Websites: To learn more about healthy fruits and vegetables and how to get them www.5aday.com www.dole.com www.juiceplus.com