Washoe County Takes Part in National Public Health Week - KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video -

The Washoe County Health District is joining other health agencies across the country to support National Public Health Week.

The theme this year is "A Healthier America Begins Today". All week health officials will be focused on small steps you can take to make big changes in your health and wellbeing.

Monday the Health District is focused on active living and healthy eating, then Tuesday the focus is living tobacco and drug-free and preventing alcohol abuse. Wednesday the focus is easy ways to prevent communicable disease, Thursday is focused on reproductive and sexual health and Friday you can get tips on disaster preparedness.

Here are the tips for Monday from the Washoe County Health District:

Research shows that eating healthier and exercising regularly will help Americans lessen their risk of preventable death from causes such as heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Here are five tips:

• Eat more fruits and vegetables, consume less sugar and fat, eat healthier snacks, watch portion size, and eat together as a family.
• Eat less by avoiding oversized portions. Make half of the food on your plate fruits and vegetables, Make at least half of the grains you eat whole grains and switch to fat-free or low-fat (1 percent) milk. Choose foods with less sodium, and drink water instead of sugary drinks.
• Engage in physical activity every day. Aim for a total of 60 minutes for children, 30 minutes for adults. Consider following the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations that children under 2 years-old not watch any TV, and that those older than 2 years-old watch no more than two hours a day of quality programming.
• Supplement aerobic activities with muscle strengthening activities that involve all major muscle groups on two or more days a week.
• Support walk and bike-to-school programs and work with local governments to make decisions about selecting school sites that can promote physical activity.

For more information on National Public Health Week and local health initiatives call (775) 328-2483 or go to www.GetHealthyWashoe.com or http://www.nphw.org/tools-and-tips