"Eating healthfully is one of the most important things women can do to achieve and maintain good health," says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. "Each day brings the opportunity to eat more healthfully. Even if you’ve not eaten nutritiously in the past, you can make changes in your diet that will help you have more energy and lower your risk of disease."

Hypertension, better known as high blood pressure, is called the silent killer because there often are no noticeable symptoms. Find out who's at risk and the dangers of hypertension in this fact sheet.

Drinking enough fluids is important during our hot summer weather – especially for senior citizens, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

A new eating plan can help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by lowering blood pressure. DASH - Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension - is rich in low-fat dairy foods, fruits and vegetables.

Although many people think of osteoporosis as a woman’s disease, it is also a serious health problem for men. Losing height or breaking a bone may be the first sign of osteoporosis.

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month, sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, to help educate people about the importance of preventing and treating high blood pressure.

Some 13 million children in the United States live in homes with limited access to a sufficient food supply. A new generation of research demonstrates a direct link between inadequate food supply and a poorer overall health status among U.S. children, according to LSU AgCenter food and nutrition expert Dr. Annrose Guarino.

Toxic molds have alarmed many homeowners lately. Under the right conditions, these molds can multiply and release enough spores in the air to cause health problems, according to LSU AgCenter housing specialist Dr. Claudette Reichel.

Young and mature adults, ages 18-44, who get type 2 diabetes are 14 times more likely to have a heart attack and up to 30 times more likely to have a stroke.

May is designated each year as a time to help educate people about the importance of preventing and treating high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and the chief risk factor for stroke and heart failure. It also can lead to kidney damage, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

Active children are more likely to become active adults. As many children grow into adolescence, however, their physical activity levels decline, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 12/05/07) A certain type of staph infection (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus – MRSA) can easily be prevented with proper hygiene and heal with treatment, according to Terri Crawford, Northeast region nutrition agent with the LSU AgCenter.

Most children can put into perspective tragic or sad events that don't impact them personally. However, some children may be at risk of more extreme reactions because of personal circumstances. Adults should contact a professional if children exhibit the following over an extended period of time.

White adolescents are more occupied with thinness than black adolescents. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy examines this phenomenon found in a Pennington Biomedical Research Center study.

After any disaster, children are most afraid that the event will recur, that they or someone they love will be hurt or killed, that they may be separated from those they love and be left alone. Here are strategies to help caregivers help affected children.

Older adults who consume nearly three servings of whole-grain foods daily are significantly less likely to have "metabolic syndrome," a condition that increases the chances of developing diabetes and heart disease.

This publication includes some facts you should know about skin cancer, the most common form of cancer. It also has tips on sun safety and sunscreen varieties and use.

Holidays cause stress even under the best of circumstances. And many Louisiana families continue to have far from an ideal situation this Christmas season. Loss can trigger depression during the holidays. And many Louisiana families have experienced great loss because of the hurricanes, an illness or death in the family. Some have family members far away from home in Iraq or Afghanistan or have lost their jobs.

Flashbacks, feelings of grief or depression and other symptoms can be attributed to the anniversary of a traumatic event such as the loss of a loved one, an accident or a natural disaster. LSU AgCenter family life professor Dr. Diane D. Sasser expects many people will suffer the "anniversary effects" of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Hurricanes have brought crisis into the living rooms of all Americans. Once again, the trauma of such events has struck at the heart of America. Dealing with natural disasters is difficult enough for all to comprehend. The lives of all will be changed forever. It is incredibly more difficult when young people and children are involved and are the victims.

The most effective grassroots initiatives consistently return to several basic premises: Changing people's lives is labor-intensive work.

(Distributed 01/31/08) February is American Heart Month. Women will again “Go Red for Women” by wearing something red or special pin to raise awareness of heart disease, women’s no. 1 killer.

Most people face the holiday season with some fear of gaining weight. The good news is that although many people gain, research suggests that the gain will probably be only 1 pound, not 5, notes LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

Recent clinical trials and ongoing studies have emphasized the importance of physical activity or combined physical activity and improved diet in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for diseases such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy says declining levels of physical activity may help explain why childhood metabolic diseases are becoming more common.

It’s not easy becoming an ex-smoker if you’re a woman. Women are less successful in quitting smoking than men, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

Americans put on anywhere from 5 to 8 pounds during the holidays. There are safe and not-so-safe methods of losing those few extra pounds, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

Nutrition researchers in the LSU AgCenter believe a form of starch may have a greater effect on metabolism and fat deposition than other types of dietary fiber. The LSU AgCenter research team has shown that fermentation of natural resistant starch in the large intestine is an important and previously underestimated mechanism in weight management.

Including folic acid in your diet is a key strategy for optimal health, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. This is her message during National Folic Acid Awareness week, Jan. 9-15.

When you see mold on food, is it safe to cut off the moldy part and use the rest? For most foods the answer is no, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Typically, providers require that children be kept from care for a minimum of 24 hours or until symptoms disappear.

LSU AgCenter faculty members are working to increase awareness about the potentially devastating effects of diabetes and how to recognize its symptoms, and they have developed a new educational program to assist in those efforts.

(For Release On Or After 11/2/07) Gardening is a well-documented and beneficial form of exercise. It contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

Lifetime eating habits and attitudes about food usually are formed in early childhood. Good eating habits can help promote good health and happiness for your child.

The state immunization program is important because children are at risk of contracting some very dangerous diseases.

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) is the leading national nonprofit organization working to improve public policies and public-private partnerships to eradicate hunger and undernutrition in the United States.

Americans each eat more than 16 pounds of fresh tomatoes a year and consume the equivalent of 79 pounds in processed tomatoes annually. Tomatoes are a rich source of antioxidants, including vitamin C and lycopene, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

Three-year census data ending in 2000 reveal that 19.6 percent of Louisianans live in poverty. That compares to 12.4 percent for the rest of the country.

An audio tour about poverty in the United States. The presentation is provided by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Understanding the causes and consequences of food insecurity not only helps in alleviating food access-related problems and hunger, but also can help in improving the quality and effectiveness of clinical care and facilitates the prevention and treatment of many kinds of health problems. However, researchers’ and policy-makers’ efforts to use the framework of food insecurity have been continually hindered by the lack of a clear conceptual definition.

This study examined how low-income households allocate their budget relative to the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) for food at home.

According to the Council for a Better Louisiana, poverty isn't just a problem for the poor. All Louisianans are impacted by this issue.

Online resources and documents regarding USDA Food Stamp Nutrition Education, including guiding principles, research, systems review reports and more.

Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank home page

The Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group promotes optimal nutrition and well-being for all people whiel acknowledging the interdependence of food and water security, health, agriculture and the environment.

One quarter of all U.S. children ages 2 to 17 are obese, according to the Center on an Aging Society. Several more million children are at risk. Obese children are more likely to remain obese in adulthood, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

"Every 20 seconds, osteoporosis causes a fracture," warns an LSU AgCenter nutrition education expert. Specialist Donna Montgomery says osteoporosis is a painful, disfiguring disease that strikes one in every two women and one in every eight men above age 50.

Hot weather is bigger problem for older people than others, since senior adults’ ability to respond appropriately to the summer heat becomes less efficient with advancing years.

Scientists are learning about the role of genetic and non-genetic factors in cardiovascular, metabolic and hormonal responses to aerobic exercise through a three-part investigation begun 12 years ago, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

Hypertension or high blood pressure is often called the silent killer, because it may cause no symptoms. High blood pressure makes your heart work harder than it should to pump blood. Includes warning signs.

Japanese children are becoming more like American children, but not for the better. "Once leaner, they’re now gaining weight and increasing their risk of heart disease," says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

As baby boomers age, many reach for herbal supplements in hopes of staying young. Supplements can be harmful, cautions LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

May generally brings higher temperatures, more mosquitoes and more chances to contract West Nile virus. The disease is carried by birds and transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. So far this year, more dead birds that were confirmed to have carried West Nile virus have been turned in to state health department offices than at the same time last year.

Obesity has increased tremendously in the last few years in both children and adults. The surge has raised the incidence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

Carbonated beverage intake has increased significantly among America’s youth over a 20-year period. One soft drink a day has been linked to 60 percent increase in the development of obesity over time, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

How do you get head lice? How do you know if you have a head lice problem? How do you eliminate a head lice problem? Find these answers and more. (PDF Format Only)

Conflicting information and media coverage about hazards of mold and how to handle mold problems have left many people confused, concerned and sometimes frightened. If you have or suspect a mold problem in your home, this fact sheet will help you make well-informed decisions about how to fix the problem and prevent its return.

Some 16 million people are estimated to have the condition called "pre-diabetes." Two million of this group will develop type 2 diabetes, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

It has been thought for some time that diet is related to strokes.There’s now evidence that fruits and vegetables help protect against stroke.

The problem of weight gain is increasing in the United States, with more than 60 percent of population now overweight and more than 30 percent obese. Among African-Americans, obesity rates are even higher.

April is an especially good time of year to enjoy Louisiana strawberries. It’s Cancer Control Month, and strawberries can lower the risk of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

In their quest for finding new therapies for treating cancers, researchers in the LSU AgCenter and the LSU Health Sciences Center have found several natural compounds that can reduce tumor development by inhibiting angiogenesis. One of the latest is an extract from the black raspberry.

Athough it is uncommon in most homes, toxic mold, also known as black mold, has become a major issue for some home builders and homeowners in the United States. The effects have run the gamut from disposal to litigation.

How does bone loss occur? Who is most at risk? What can you do to prevent osteoporosis? Find these answers and more in this two-page fact sheet.

This holiday season may be more stressful than ever for some people and families. Stress resulting from our recent disasters combined with the usual holiday stress may become overwhelming.

Those who survive hurricanes and other natural disasters are at risk for behavioral and emotional readjustment problems. Most child and adult survivors experience one or more normal stress reactions for several days after a natural disaster.

After crises like hurricanes Katrina and Rita, your life will never be the same. Many of us survived this natural disaster, but much of what we care about may be lost.

Do you smoke around your young children? Does your child’s child-care provider smoke in the child-care environment? If your answer to either of those questions is "yes," LSU AgCenter experts caution there are multiple concerns about children and their exposure to secondhand smoke.

(News You Can Use For August 2004) Food manufacturers have until January 1, 2006, to list trans fat on their nutrition labels, but some manufacturers have already started the practice, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed November 2004) Two of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke. Both women and men are at risk, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed September 2004) Eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, reduced-fat dairy products and whole grains may help control weight, according to LSU Agricultural Center nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed September 2004) Half the male and one-third of the female populations will develop heart disease sometime in their lives, according to LSU Agricultural Center nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed October 2004) The health risks of consuming trans fat are so evident that by January 2006 the fat will have to be listed on food labels, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

Every year some 500 Americans die suddenly in their homes from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. A little knowledge about the gas and taking some simple precautions can help reduce the chances of a dangerous situation happening in your home, says LSU AgCenter housing professor Dr. Claudette Reichel.

For most people, fasting is an occasional choice, but for many people hunger is a year-round reality, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Annrose Guarino. She offers ways to help alleviate hunger.

Recruiting volunteers for clinical trials is an on-going challenge. Chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity affect blacks disproportionately. Black participation could identify effective prevention and treatment strategies for minority groups.

(Distributed 06/01/01) Health is more than just the absence of illness, according to an LSU AgCenter family development authority. Mental and spiritual health account for much of our quality of life, says family development expert Raye Neely.

(Distributed 06/01/01) Hot weather can lead to loss of body water loss, dehydration, heat stroke and even death. Senior citizens especially need to be careful, warns an LSU AgCenter nutritionist.