Healthy living within the reach of all

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 43, 8 April 1986, Page 6

Healthy living within the reach of all

This is world health week, commencing with offical world health day on Monday. During the week the World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) willbe supporting activities devoted to the promotion of healthy lifestyles. This is indicated by the slogan 'healthy living: everyone a winner'. The W.H.O. has singled out three elements for attention: •exercise: active physical exercise; •nutrition: low fat diet to promote long life and good health; •personal responsibility: this includes non-smoking and responsibility for smoke-

free living and working areas. The New Zealand Health Department priority programme for the prevention of cardiovascular disease fits in well with the world health theme for 1986. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in New Zealand — 40 per cent of all deaths. Most heart disease deaths are due to coronary artery disease — heart attack. Atheroma, a patchy, fatty, plaque deterioration of the lining of major arteries, predisposes to heart attack and strokes. Fat in the diet, and lack of exercise, promote atheroma. Smoking accelerates atheroma, thus atheroma is easier to prevent than to cure. Prevention activites that you can become involved in include the promotion of

non-smoking zones in enclosed public places, for instance banks, shops, public transport, restaurants, and your work place. Reduce the amount of animal fat and carbohydrate in your diet by eating lean meats, skim milk and fatfree dairy products, plain breads and cereals, and all types of fruit and vegetables. Make exercise a part of youreveryday life. Just 15to 20 minutes exercise every second day which makes you puff steadily is enough to improve fitness. A dieting and keep-fit class especially for those with a fuller figure will begin this Tuesday evening, 9 April, 5.00pm at the Brethern Church Hall, Queen Street, Raetihi. If you are overweight and interested in increasing your fitness level, then come along and exercise with others of a similar level to yourself.

Leigh

Berry

Public Health Nurse