Family Health

SEPTEMBER 2018 | FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

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Family Health

Heart Edition

From Hollywood to heart health, the multi-talented Barbra Streisand is nothing if not committed to what she does.

DISCOVER how Jillian Michaels began her fitness journey at a young age, and how she is encouraging kids to follow her footsteps.

LEARN how empowering youth to take charge of their own wellness could alleviate many of our nation’s health issues.

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Innovations and improvements keep PET imaging relevant in the cardio world. Page 6

in this issue

Signing kids up for ice skating lessons does more than just teach them how to do figure eights. Page 8

Sleep apnea is no joke, and one organization is working tirelessly to promote healthier sleep habits. Page 4

At the Heart of Heart Failure

Heart diseases are serious, and those afflicted or at risk need to be just as serious when dealing with them.

W

hen Aimee RodriguezZepeda started to feel constantly ex­hausted, the 39-year-old thought it was because she was getting older and juggling a stressful job while raising four kids. Then, during her routine physical, her doctor detected an irregular heartbeat and referred her to a cardiologist, where she was shocked to learn that she had congestive heart failure.

Heart failure may sound like the heart has stopped pumping, but that’s not the case. When someone has this condition, the heart muscle can’t pump enough blood through the body to meet its need for oxygen and nutrients.

This could happen when the heart muscle is weakened or when the heart has a defect. The kidneys also don’t receive the proper amount of blood, causing extra fluid to build up in parts of the body. This is called congestion, thus the term congestive heart failure.

In Rodriguez-Zepeda’s case, she

had an enlarged heart that was working at only 25 percent capacity. Her doctor told her that her congestive heart failure diagnosis was likely caused by damage sustained by cancer treatments for uterine cancer, which she survived just six years earlier, and a strong history of heart disease in her family.

At risk Many of Rodriguez-Zepeda’s family members died from a heart attack or stroke, but she never really thought that history would play a part in her own risk.

“When my grandmother died from a heart attack, I was only 8, so I thought it was because she was old,” she said. “Actually, she was only 51.”

One in five Americans will de­velop heart failure. That’s 20 percent of the country. While children and young adults may inherit heart failure, congenital heart disease or other heart muscle problems,

Ivor J. Benjamin, M.D., FAHA President, American Heart Association

"Being knowledgeable about resources, education, support and care is vital."

the average patient has lived for years with risk factors such as smoking, being overweight, eating foods high in sodium, cholesterol and unhealthy fats, and not getting enough physical activity.

These factors also increase your risk for heart attack and stroke.

Like Rodriguez-Zepeda, many people overlook heart failure symptoms, assuming they are just side effects of stress or getting older.

Listen to your body and go to a doctor if you feel: • Shortness of breath or abnormal breathing, especially with exercise or when lying down • Persistent coughing or wheezing that won’t go away • Excess body fluid in the stomach, legs or feet • Persistent tiredness • Abnormal thirst • Lack of appetite or nausea • Impaired thinking • Increased heart rate

Never lose hope There is no cure for heart failure, but you can manage the condition and improve your quality of life by working with your doctor.

Two years into managing her condition, Rodriguez-Zepeda is helping other heart patients by volunteering with her local American Heart Association as a heart failure ambassador, sharing her story and supporting patients and their families.

“I personally know the struggle from an emotional, physical and financial standpoint,” she said.

“Being knowledgeable about resources, education, support and care is vital on a heart failure patient’s road to recovery.”

World Heart Day is Sept. 29. It’s a good reminder to consciously learn about your heart and commit to living your best life. n Ivor J. Benjamin, M.D., FAHA, President, American Heart Association

Publisher Lauren Powers and Sophia Oramas Business Developer Jessica Berman Managing Director Luciana Olson Designers Chris Espino and Jennifer Ledbury Copy Editor Benny Regalbuto Director of Sales Shannon Ruggiero Director of Business Development Jourdan Snyder Director of Product Faye Godfrey Content Strategist Mina Fanous Production Coordinator Josh Rosman Cover photo credit Russell James All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

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PLEASE RECYCLE AFTER READING

HELPING YOU TO A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE. Introducing

TRACK YOUR SYMPTOMS

MANAGE YOUR WEIGHT

WELCOME TO YOUR SECOND COURSE 2. Communicating with your doctor

The American Heart Association is pleased to TM launch HF Path — a self management tool that empowers heart failure patients to better manage and live with their condition.

In addition to tracking weight, medications TM and symptoms, HF Path also enables users to connect with other patients who are dealing with the challenges of heart failure.

TM

Available on the Web or as an app, HF Path is a great way to help patients enjoy a better quality of life.

TRACK YOUR MEDICATION

TRACK WEIGHT Enter your weight daily

LEARN ABOUT HF

SYMPTOM TRACKER Track your symptoms every day

LEARN THIS COURSE 2. How to speak with your doctor

COMPLETED!

TRACK YOUR MEDICATION Keep track of your medication

2/2 meds

CONNECT WITH OTHERS

The path begins here.

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Barbra Streisand Fights for Equal Billing for Women’s Health Relentlessly pushing for equity in women’s cardio health, celebrity icon Barbra Streisand discusses how she became interested in the subject and shares her thoughts on what can be done about it.

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eart disease and stroke are the number one killers of women in the United States, causing more deaths than all cancers combined.

Legendary director, singer, actress and producer Barbra Streisand is on a mission to change that fact. She co-founded the Women’s Heart Alliance to prevent women from needlessly facing and dying from heart disease and stroke.

Women’s Heart Alliance scientific advisor, Noel Bairey Merz, M.D., and director of the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai, spoke to Streisand about her deep commitment to this cause.

The story of how you got interested in heart disease is unique. Would you mind sharing it?

Certainly! When I made my movie “Yentl,” in which a young woman gets an education by pretending to be a man, I had no idea the project would, in a roundabout way, lead me to advocate for women’s heart health.

But years later, I read about “Yentl syndrome,” a phrase coined to describe the finding that women with heart attacks get substandard care compared to men. That inequity persists to this day.

to natural causes or ailments. As a result, women are not making a personal connection to heart disease or sharing their stories.

In the United States, 1 in 3 women die of heart disease and stroke, whereas 1 in 32 women die of breast cancer. But we spend almost 10 times more on women’s cancer research. I don’t want cancer research funding to go down, but heart disease funding needs to go way up!

"Women with heart attacks get substandard care compared to men.

That inequity persists to this day."

Why don’t more women know about their risk?

In a Women’s Heart Alliance survey, we found that a lot of women are embarrassed about having heart disease.

Others aren’t aware that they have it.

And many people think heart disease strikes only old men. Too often, heart disease deaths are wrongly attributed

In addition to promoting awareness of women’s risk for heart disease, you’ve done a lot to advocate for health care equity for women.

We are decades behind in our knowledge about what works for women with heart disease compared to men because clinical trials have traditionally included more men than women.

I remember learning how different heart attacks in men and women can seem, and how frequently women are misdiagnosed as a result. To ensure that trials consider the differences between the sexes, I encourage women to participate. And I plan to keep urging and advocating until we make real progress in securing the education, research and funding needed to properly diagnose and treat women’s heart disease. ■

By Name Surname

Staying Aware of Sleep Apnea Symptoms One nonprofit is dedicated to promoting sleep health through research, advocacy and education.

It’s well known that sleep is critical to your overall health. But what people need to focus on is the quality of that sleep.

A recent report released by the American Sleep Apnea Association demonstrates that people are underdiagnosed; it may take years between the recognition of symptoms and the diagnosis of a sleep disorder.

Yet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 50-75 percent of adults with symptoms of sleep apnea have not discussed their concerns with a physician. Routine sleep screenings by the medical community are underutilized. With this in mind, here are some sleep apnea symptoms to watch out for: • Are you chronically fatigued and feel foggy headed?

• Do you experience daytime fatigue? Do you fall asleep at stop lights, for example?

• Are you unproductive at work?

• Do you nod off during meetings?

• Do you wake up during the night gasping for air?

Left untreated, sleep apnea can have severe health ramifications. It is linked to increased rates of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, diabetes and other serious conditions. People need to be their own best advocates and talk to their doctor about sleep apnea.

Crystal Canney, Communications Director, American Sleep Apnea Association

By Name Surname

MEDIAPLANET | 5

Meet the Women Championing Women’s Heart Health

When it comes to health, nothing is more dangerous to women than heart disease. Luckily, a group of diligent ladies is promoting awareness.

A

ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, accounting for approximately one of every four female deaths. What’s more, 64 percent of women who die from coronary heart disease have no prior symptoms.

“Heart disease isn’t even on their radar,” says Dr. Sharonne N. Hayes, cardiologist and founder of the Women’s Heart Clinic at Mayo Clinic. She adds that, for years, the common thought was that heart disease only affected men.

That mindset has only recently started to change.

“The knowledge has increased exponentially since the ’90s, but we still have a [long way to go]… If you didn’t include women in cardiovascular research up until the ’90s, or really up until the mid-2000s, we’re just playing catch up.”

Dr. Hayes says it’s never too early for women to know their heart disease risk factors, such as family history, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

She also wants women to know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, which include chest pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, heart flutters, paleness, clammy sweating or discomfort or pressure in the center of the chest.

Access to care Nearly 48 million women in the United States have heart disease or are at risk of it.

“Lifestyle is the single most important thing that women can [change] to prevent heart disease from impacting them,” says Dr. Hayes, encouraging women to eat right, exercise and not smoke.

She serves on the scientific advisory council for the nonprofit WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.

“WomenHeart strives to advocate both for women getting the proper care and access to care. [Women need to] get connected with health care providers that actually take them seriously and provide the best sex- and gender-focused care we can give them,” says Dr. Hayes.

WomenHeart champions In 2002, WomenHeart launched peer-led support networks called WomenHeart Champions for women living with heart disease. The Champions are heart health advocates in their communities.

Dr. Hayes has trained all 850 WomenHeart Champions, including Florence Champagne, who had a heart

clockwise from top:

Professor of cardiovascular medicine and cardiologist Sharonne N. Hayes, M.D., at the 2017 WomenHeart Science & Leadership Symposium; cardiologist Deidre Mattina, M.D. (left), and WomenHeart Champion Florence Champagne (middle) at the National Policy & Science Summit on Women’s Cardiovascular Health; Florence Champagne and Diane FaganWard (right) at the Washington, D.C. Health Fair; Dr. Hayes with a group of WomenHeart Champions.

attack six years ago.

“I was experiencing pain off and on for almost a year,” says Champagne, who had a 99 percent blockage of her main artery, requiring immediate surgery.

At the time of her heart attack, she didn’t have insurance.

Her cardiologist told her that she hadn’t been getting the proper care, probably because of that lack of insurance.

Now 59, Champagne, who coordinates the WomenHeart of Southern Maryland, is inspiring other women at speaking engagements and health fairs. She’s also testified at a congressional briefing in support of legislation to make routine health care screenings more accessible for women of color and those in underserved communities.

“The speaking out helps because people just call me, especially after they realize they have some heart-related issues,” says Champagne, who does yoga, attends exercise classes twice a week and eats healthy. “They call and say, ‘I’m glad you told me about that because now I experience this symptom and I went and followed up.’” n Kristen Castillo

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What Patients Need to Know about PET Scans Heart disease is a danger like no other, meaning proper diagnosis is of paramount importance. PET scans have been, and continue to be, the best way to get such a diagnosis.

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ositron emission tomography (PET) — the technology used to diagnose coronary artery disease and damage from a heart attack — has been around for over 50 years, but it continues to innovate and improve.

“It is considered the most accurate, non-invasive test available to make a diagnosis,” says Dr. Rob Beanlands, chair of the Division Head of Cardiology and director of the National Cardiac PET Centre at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

During the test, which measures blood flow, a radioactive tracer is injected into the patient’s blood, creating gamma energy. A gamma-detector tracks signals from the tracer and takes pictures, and a computer then creates a 3D image of the heart.“It really allows us to determine if their symptoms are being caused by a heart problem related to blood flow or whether they’re at risk for future heart prob-

lems,” says Dr. Beanlands, who is also the president-elect of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, a professional society of over 4,200 cardiovascular imaging professionals.

The technology can help doctors determine if a patient will benefit from certain therapies, including angioplasty and stenting, as well as coronary artery bypass surgery.

Reliable and efficient The amount of radiation used in the test is small, typically excreted by the kidneys within 24 hours.

“The benefit of the information far outweighs the theoretical risk of low-dose medical radiation,” says Dr. Beanlands, who compares the amount of radiation to what patients get whilst having two or three mammograms.

Easy to use, efficient and ever-improving, PET scans are becoming widely available. An increasing number of med-

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ical centers are adding PET imaging to their service offerings in the United States and other countries. Advances include better precision and the ability to detect inflammation.

“When you have the technology available, [it’s used more] because the physicians see the power of the information to help the patients,” he says. “Because the test is so reliable and dependable, they refer their patients more.”

In-the-know Patients should not eat or drink in the four to six hours before the test. They also need to avoid caffeine for 24 hours before the test since it can interfere with the results.

PET scans typically last about 30-45 minutes, and patients can usually resume normal daily activities after the scan is complete. Three blood flow measurements are taken during “rest and stress” periods. First, the patient’s baseline resting blood flow is measured. Next, the technician gives the patient medicine in the IV to speed up blood flow — similar to what it would be during exercise — and stress blood flow is measured. Then, approximately 15 minutes later, the patient’s resting blood flow is measured again.

Results are sent to the patient’s doctor to be discussed at a future appointment. Nice and easy! n

Kristen Castillo

MEDIAPLANET | 7

How Can Society Fight Childhood Obesity?

Childhood obesity is an epidemic, but there are preventative steps we can take to reduce it to an anomaly. Promoting healthier schools and communities is a good start.

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eptember is National Childhood Obesity Month, as well as the start of school for many children across the country.

Unfortunately, childhood obesity has reached record levels nationwide in recent years, becoming a major public health problem.

About 19 percent of children ages 2 to 19 are obese; nearly 6 percent of children have severe obesity, with the highest rates (about 8 percent) among children ages 12 to 19. Obese children are more likely to have high blood pressure, asthma, sleep apnea or Type 2 diabetes, and are at higher risk as adults for heart disease, the nation’s leading cause of death. Rates of obesity are especially high among black and Hispanic children, about a quarter of whom are obese. As a researcher who studies childhood obesity at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, I want to encourage everyone, particularly teachers and parents, to think about how their schools and communities can address this public health epidemic.

Promoting healthier schools Schools can be a major force in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. In 2010, the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act enabled reforms in school lunch and breakfast programs and strengthened school wellness policy implementation. A more recent study assessed the relationship between body mass index (BMI) — a measure of body fat — and the implementation of school wellness committees and nutrition policies in 420 schools in the NHLBI-led Healthy Communities Study. In the 2018 study, researchers found that schools that had active wellness committees —

S. Sonia Arteaga, Ph.D. Program Director, Clinical Applications and Prevention Branch, Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

even those meeting just once a year — had children with significantly lower BMI (a good thing) than those schools that did not have wellness committees or schools where the committees did not meet. The findings suggest that encouraging school wellness committees and activities can lower BMI scores in children. Parents may want to consider encouraging their local parent-teacher association or similar organizations to promote active school wellness committees, whose actions can include producing healthy policies (such as improving food and beverage choices) or expanding physical activity options during and after school.

Promoting healthier communities The community where one lives can also influence childhood obesity. A recent research paper, also part of the NHLBI-led Healthy Communities Study, found that across 130 diverse communities in the United States, those that had higher-intensity programs and policies (strong behavior-change strategies of long duration and

wide reach) targeting childhood obesity, had children with lower BMI than those communities with lower-intensity programs and policies. For example, a community that implements higher-intensity policies, such as installing new bike lanes or sidewalks, tends to have more success in lowering childhood BMI than a community that tends to only implement one-time events like a health fair or health literature handout. The study also uncovered health disparities among families and communities. Researchers found that the relationship between community programs and policies and BMI was strongest among families with higher socio-economic status, and weakest in Hispanic families and urban communities. Findings from this study suggest that programs and policies may need to be tailored for those most at risk.

Looking forward In short, childhood obesity is a complicated, hard-to-treat problem, and we all need to think about how we can work with our local schools and communities to create healthier environments for children. NHLBI’s Healthy Communities Study, which will be highlighted in a suite of research articles scheduled to appear in the September print issue of the journal Pediatric Obesity (“The Healthy Communities Study: Examining Community Programs, Policies and Other Characteristics in Relation to Child Weight, Diet, and Physical Activity”), is just one of many efforts to curb this growing epidemic. Let’s keep this momentum going year-round — beyond Childhood Obesity Month. Our children’s health depends on it. n

PREVENTION

The Health Risks Associated with Childhood Obesity We all love our children and want what’s best for them, so it’s important to make sure we provide kids with the nutrients they need to grow up healthy and strong.

Unfortunately, childhood obesity has been on the rise. Millions of children aren’t getting the right mix of healthy foods and physical activity. It is estimated that one in five school-aged children (ages 6 through 19) are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A child with obesity may be at risk of developing high cholesterol, high blood pressure, bone and joint problems and sleep apnea.

These figures are staggering, but there is hope if we take action now.

Let’s establish healthy home environments that center around food, nutrition and physical activity. The single best thing a parent or caregiver can do is to model the behaviors you want to see in your children.

Good nutrition is especially important for children because it is directly linked to all aspects of their growth and development which will affect them as adults. And children with obesity tend to become adults with obesity. Their future health rests in our hands.

Offering children a variety of foods from all of the food groups, eating together as a family and teaching kids age-appropriate cooking skills are all great ways to incorporate healthy habits into their daily routines.

Take the time to reevaluate your family’s lifestyle in and outside of the kitchen.

Give your children an opportunity to get a healthy dose of daily exercise. Make sure your child eats breakfast to fuel their day. Limit eating out to avoid large portion sizes. Provide healthy snacks to keep your little ones’ hunger at bay and help them avoid overeating at meals.

Be a role model. Choose healthy foods and beverages that reinforce healthy habits in your children that will last them a lifetime.

Vandana Sheth, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, National Spokesperson, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

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5 Reasons to Sign Your Kid up for Ice Skating Lessons Ice skating is a timeless way to spend the winter months. But beyond the thrill of soaring across the ice, lessons are uniquely valuable experiences for kids and adults alike.

I

ce skating lessons are increasing in popularity year after year, and parents across the country are praising the physical, emotional and social benefits of participating in the most popular winter sport. Plus, it’s fun — really fun! Imagine your child hard at work with a big smile on their face.

That’s the magic of ice skating.

With winter weather right around the corner, now is the perfect time to break out the skates and hit the ice. Need more convincing? Here are five reasons why you should stop what you’re doing and enroll your child in ice skating lessons.

how to skate: They are learning valuable life lessons that they can take with them into adulthood.

On the outside, children are learning how to skate forward, skate backward, stop and turn, but with each new skill they master comes an underlying lesson in goal-setting, self-discipline and tenacity. The first thing new skaters learn when entering the rink is how to fall and get up again. While this may seem like a no-brainer, giving them the power to decide to get up and try again is a powerful tool in developing self-confidence.

1. Gain valuable life lessons When young skaters skid onto the ice for the first time, they are learning so much more than

2. Learn to fly Nothing compares to the feeling of gliding. Learning to glide is a skill that your child will remem-

ber forever. Many liken the experience to flying.

When asked how ice skating makes her feel, Nora of Richmond, Virginia, said, “I feel the wind rushing through my hair, and I feel free and happy.”

3. Develop social skills The group lesson environment allows skaters to make new friends and develop relationships with peers at the same stage in their ice skating journeys.

Many elite skaters remain close friends with peers from their skating classes, citing the relationships they had at the rink as a catalyst to their success.

4. Improve fitness While skating is great for cardio-

Skate to a brighter future.

Skate to great.

Ice skating teaches you the agility and focus to handle every twist and turn of life.

Sign up for classes at LearnToSkateUSA.com

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vascular fitness, the balance and control needed to master basic skating skills also builds muscle strength and improves coordination. Plus, with the average skate blade being a little more than 2 millimeters thick, skating is ideal for developing core strength and improving body awareness.

5. Make family memories as a family Skating lessons aren’t just for kids. In fact, many skating programs offer lessons designed specifically for adults. Pair a few simple tips with the right techniques and you’ll be on your own in no time. Imagine the memories you can make as a family, flying across the ice in your own winter wonderland!

How to get started Learn to Skate USA is the largest learn-to-skate program in the country, offering top-quality skating lessons at over 1,000 locations nationwide. With a standardized curriculum taught by certified Learn to Skate USA instructors, you can register for lessons with confidence knowing that your child will learn how to ice skate in a fun, safe and educational environment.

Once your child masters the fundamentals of skating, they will be equipped with the skills, knowledge and strength needed to move on to more specialized skating classes including hockey, speedskating, free skate, Theatre On Ice and more! n Erika Lehman, Marketing Manager, Learn to Skate USA

MEDIAPLANET | 9

Youth Health Should Start With Youths Themselves

Studies have shown that young people want to be responsible for their own health, but lack the empowering resources to do so. One organization is working tirelessly to reverse this unfortunate trend.

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oday’s students have a strong sense of responsibility for their health and wellness. We know because we asked them.

Youth speaks out At GENYOUth — the health and wellness nonprofit I lead — one of our recent insight surveys of students aged 11 to 17 revealed that 9 out of 10 youths feel they’re old enough to take care of their health — and 73 percent feel they’re already doing so.

That same survey also revealed that we could be doing more as a society to support youth well-

ness. The tech sector, for example, has a significant opportunity. Generation Z seems to possess an almost universal fluency for technology and social media, and over half of students are interested in utilizing technology to help them be healthy. Yet only 29 percent are actually using tech to support health and wellness goals like nutrition or physical activity.

Whether it’s a healthy eating app or a mobile fitness tracker, most of what’s out there in the way of health and wellness tech isn’t made by, or with the input of, young people, and isn’t capturing

their imagination — even though kids crave such digital support.

Sleep was the focus of another survey. It emerged as another area of concern, with 71 percent of students telling us they’re simply not getting enough rest. Early mornings, school work, long schedules of activites and homework-laden evenings have kids sleep-deprived and stressed.

According to the survey, high school students suffer the most.

Putting the power in their hands Most importantly, we know from experience that empowering

youths to be their own change agents is the best answer to many ongoing health issues in our nation. This can, and should, happen at school, at home and elsewhere. That’s why our programs and initiatives put students in

the driver’s seat when it comes to creating their own healthy, high-achieving futures — through support of their ideas, their projects and their solutions. n Alexis Glick, CEO, GENYOUth

10 | FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

Courtney B. Vance Attributes Success to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America

3 Reasons to Give Freeze-Dried Fruit a Shot

When school is out and parents aren’t home, it’s essential that kids have a place to go where they can feel safe and have fun. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America is one of those places.

Freeze-dried fruit is a healthy, delicious, convenient option for anyone interested in healthier snacking without giving up flavor.

W

ith school starting, millions of kids will be home alone after school. More dual-income families means working parents can’t always be home in time.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) has been providing alternatives to children being on their own since 1860.

With a wide range of after-school programs, the organization has positively influenced thousands of children.

Actor Courtney B. Vance was one such child. Between the ages of eight and thirteen, he frequented his local club, where he could play ping pong or do arts and crafts. A nearby park where he played Little League football and tennis made it even better.

For Vance, one man stood out in those years, which included attending afterschool care programs and the club’s summer day camps. Mr. George Brown, says Vance, ran the summer camp and took special interest in the boy who would one day receive a Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his role in “Lucky Guy.” After getting to know Vance and his family, Mr. Brown told them the boy could qualify for a scholarship at Detroit Country Day School, an exclusive private school outside of his parents’ budget, where Mr. Brown taught history and coached track.

The decision was made, one that Vance calls “a life-changing event.”

He attributes his success in life to this

turning point and to the Club: “Harvard, Yale, theater, movies...everything came from them putting me at that very...safe and wonderful place.”

Vance is one of many who found a mentor through the BGCA. Mentors, he says, are mother and father figures when parents aren’t around.

“Life is about people who help you. Everyone needs people to help them. You cannot make it by yourself.”

An avid supporter of the BGCA, Vance frequently speaks at national and regional events, and hosts the Alumni Hall of Fame event annually. Having experienced it firsthand, he believes in the power that the BGCA has in shaping a child’s life. “All it takes is one young person’s life to be shifted like mine.”

With over 4,000 local clubs in the United States, the BGCA strives to give all children equal opportunities to thrive. Providing safe environments and structured places with caring adult mentors after school encourages positive youth development, helping young people meet their full potential.

Each club offers a variety of programs geared toward each age group, including sports and recreation, health and wellness, education, the arts, career development, and character and leadership.

Vance isn’t the only BGCA alumni who was so largely impacted: 54 percent of alumni say the Club saved their lives. With 16 million alumni, from athletes to business leaders, it’s clear that the BGCA leaves a lasting impact, and will continue with the next generation. n Susan Guillory

If you’ve never tried freeze-dried fruit before, here are three great reasons why you should!

Taste and Texture Tastes like an apple, snacks like a chip! With a texture that satisfies the need for a crunch, freeze-dried fruit explodes with flavor and natural sweetness that gives you energy all day.

Nutrition Pure, freeze-dried fruit is literally just fruit. The freeze-drying process removes water from the fruit at low temperatures, leaving behind a fruity essence in a crispy texture while maintaining nutrients. Look for brands with no sugar added, and always check the ingredients to make sure it’s 100 percent natural.

Convenience Fresh fruit is wholesome and delicious, but not always convenient.

Freeze-dried fruit, on the other hand, is packaged in moisture-protected poly-bags that you can take wherever you go — great for any activity where fresh fruit might get a little messy. With a long shelflife, you also don’t have to worry about freeze-dried fruit spoiling!

Angela Liu, Founder and CEO, Crispy Green, Inc.

MEDIAPLANET | 11

Jillian Michaels’ Health Advice for Today’s Youth

Feel Free to Play Around at Play Fair Play Fair — designed and dedicated to celebrating all forms of play — will be expanding next year.

The fitness expert and creator of the My Fitness by Jillian Michaels app encourages kids to always watch their health.

What motivated you to start exercising as a teenager?

I wasn’t motivated. I actually fell into martial arts when my parents were divorcing, and over time it began to empower me and build my self-esteem. From there, I became inspired to strive towards being fit and strong.

How did exercising from a young age benefit your life?

Fitness is transcendent. When you feel strong physically, it empowers you in all facets of your life. Gradual, successive accomplishments over the course of my personal journey built my confidence and belief in my abilities.

What exercises and activities do you find to be the most engaging and motivating?

I love mixed martial arts, parkour, yoga and weight training ­­— basically, things that require strength and that allow you to quantifiably measure progress. Whether it’s being able to do your first crow pose, a 100-pound squat or a jump spinning back kick, these things require mental focus as well as physical ability. The incremental progress we make in training with these modalities is very inspiring.

What advice would you give to parents looking to motivate their kids to be more active?

Lead by example! Ultimately, you are your kids’ best role model. Show them that living healthy is living better — that it’s synonymous with power, strength, energy and vitality. Introduce them to activities that they’ll find fun, like surfing, skiing, skating, bike riding and sports. Make play active so it’s one and the same with fitness for them.

What would you say is the biggest hurdle that is keeping kids from being active?

Unfortunately, this is a battle that needs to be fought on a myriad of fronts. I think screen time is a huge issue. When I was a kid, the social network was called “outside.” Now, between iPhones, iPads, computers, video games, even the TV…there is just too much to distract and deter them. Plus, we are busy as parents, more so than ever — also distracted by too much work via screens. And we often neglect our own fitness and self-care, which is a terrible example to set. Plus, we don’t carve out enough time to be physical with our kids. So make sure to limit screen time for the entire family and set aside time to get outside and be active whenever possible. Take fun, active vacations: bike a volcano in Hawaii, take surfing lessons in Mexico, ski in Utah — you get the idea n

TRAMPOLINE PARKS OFFER ACTIVE FAMILY FUN! FIND YOUR LOCAL IATP MEMBER PARK: indoortrampolineparks.org

In 2016, LeftField Media, a boutique events company, teamed up with the Toy Association to produce a brandnew, consumer-facing event. The goal: an experiential family event focused on celebrating all forms of play.

The first event was co-located alongside the Toy Association’s annual industry trade show, Toy Fair, and sold out in its first year! In 2017, Play Fair set up independently from Toy Fair in order to accommodate the demanding size of the event. It was again a success, and the organizers felt it was time to take the event on the road.

In 2018, Play Fair PDX made its first stop, co-located with Rose City Comic Con in Portland, Oregon, on September 7-9 at the Oregon Convention Center. The event continued to focus on its mission of celebrating all forms of play, featuring a kids’ American Ninja Warrior-like obstacle course, archery lessons, interactive storytelling and many more fun activities!

“Parents have started to shift their focus on experiential moments with their children, and our primary focus is just that: experiential [activities] throughout the show floor,” says the LeftField Media president, Kelly Comboni.

Play Fair will also make its way to Washington, D.C., on April 26-28, 2019; New Orleans, Louisiana on May 31-June 2, 2019; and Portland again on September 13-15, 2019.

Lauren Dabb, Play Fair

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Grapes have over 1,600 natural plant compounds Research into the potential impact to our health when consuming grapes suggests that the whole grape— which contains over 1,600 natural plant compounds, including antioxidants and other polyphenols—offers a range of intriguing health benefits when included in our daily diet.

Grapes are heart-healthy Grapes are a heart-healthy addition to your diet.

In two studies conducted at the University of Connecticut, researchers found that adding grapes to the diet every day supports a healthy heart.

Women who consumed 1¼ cups of grapes every day reduced blood triglyceride levels, LDL cholesterol levels, inflammatory proteins and other markers of heart disease.* Men with metabolic syndrome who consumed 1½ cups of grapes every day reduced blood pressure, improved blood vessel function and decreased a key marker of inflammation.**

A whole bunch of healthy Scientists at some of the nation’s most prestigious research institutions continue to study the potential health benefits derived from eating grapes every day. California’s fresh grape farmers are committed to supporting continued research on grapes and their impact on heart health, eye health, brain health, joint health and cell health. For now, just remember to...

Go with grapes every day for a whole bunch of healthy.

GrapesfromCalifornia.com *Zern, T.L.; Wood, J.R.; Greene, C.; West, K.L.; Liu, Y.; Aggarwal, D.; Shachter, N.S. & Fernandez, M.L. (2005). Grape polyphenols exert a cardioprotective effect in pre- and postmenopausal women by lowering plasma lipids and reducing oxidative stress. Journal of Nutrition, 135, 1911–1917. **Barona, J.; Aristizabal, J.D.; Blesso, C.N.; Volek, J.S. & Fernandez, M.L. (2012). Grape polyphenols reduce blood pressure and increase flow-mediated vasodilation in men with metabolic syndrome. Journal of Nutrition, 1–7.