Contact: Paul Meznarich
715-838-5805
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Summers in Wisconsin typically usher in a signature event for the American Cancer Society: the Relay for Life. Not only do these events raise substantial funds for the organization, but they also raise public awareness.
Diane Dressel, registered dietitian
It’s no coincidence that an activity featuring exercise should highlight efforts at fighting cancer, said one healthcare professional at Luther Midelfort.
“Whether you’re diagnosed with cancer or fortunate to not be diagnosed with cancer at this time, a healthy lifestyle is more important than what one would think to prevent cancer or a reoccurrence of cancer,” said registered dietitian Diane Dressel, a program coordinator with Luther Midelfort’s Weight Management Services.
A 2007 presidential report on cancer stated that two-thirds of cancer deaths could have been avoided through the adoption of six lifestyle changes:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Increasing physical activity
- Eating more fruits and vegetables
- Eating less fat
- Moderating alcohol consumption
- Not smoking
“Most people know that obesity is connected with heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes ,” Dressel said. “But what they may not know is the ‘cancer connection.’ Obesity — along with poor nutrition and lack of physical activity — is second only to tobacco use as a major risk factor for cancer.”
For example:
- Gaining 10 pounds or more after age 45 doubles a person’s risk of breast cancer (National Cancer Institute 1996).
- Once breast cancer is diagnosed, every 11 pounds gained increases the chance of fatality by 14 percent (American Association for Cancer Research Conference 2009).
- Only 7 percent of people diagnosed with cancer meet national guidelines for exercise and diet (Cancer,115, 4001-4009).
- The American Cancer Society predicts obesity will be the No. 1 cause of cancer in the United States.
At Luther Midelfort’s Weight Management Services, emphasis is placed on behavioral changes, in addition to diet changes, to manage people’s weight, Dressel said.
“We focus on getting ahead of obesity and weight problems with effective strategies for weight loss,” she said. “We then focus on a healthy lifestyle of eating more fruits and vegetables, moderate fat intake and increasing physical activity. We understand how weight management and health management walk side-by-side.”
National trends toward younger, heavier Americans give Dressel reason to be alarmed, she said.
- 66 percent of adults are either clinically obese or overweight
- 18 percent of children ages 12 to 19 are clinically obese
- 20 percent of children ages 6 to 11 are clinically obese
- 1 in 5 preschoolers are clinically obese
“Ninety-nine percent of weight problems are not genetic. They’re lifestyle-driven,” she said. “And for these kids, those lifestyles are being ‘inherited’ from their parents.”
Luther Midelfort’s Weight Management Services is a nine-time Gold Standard-winner from Boston-based Health Management Resources for its effectiveness in participant retention and effectiveness. It was featured in a Mayo Clinic study published in the December 2008 issue of Disease Management & Health Outcomes demonstrating the effectiveness of medically managed weight-loss programs compared to their commercial counterparts.
Weight Management Services offers a variety of weight-loss choices, including in-clinic programs with optional medical supervision or at-home diet kits with optional phone support. Free orientation meetings for people who want to lose 10 to 200 pounds are at 5:30 p.m. on alternating Mondays and Tuesdays at Luther Midelfort’s Clairemont Campus, 733 W. Clairemont Ave.
For more information, call 715-838-6731 or visit www.luthermidelfort.org.
# # #
In partnership with Mayo Clinic, Luther Midelfort offers a full range of quality medical services, including cardiac and orthopedic surgery, cancer and trauma care programs. Through a network of community-based healthcare providers in west-central Wisconsin, Luther Midelfort provides access to experts close to home.
