Prescription for a Healthy Lifestyle (PHL)

Created by Health Research Systems and Services.

Inc. Margie H. FordVice President

Health and Fitness Director

A PROVEN PRESCRIPTION FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE PROGRAM

Consist of five basic and crucial components, (1) Food Selection, (2) Meal Preparation, (3) Body Composition Analysis; (4) Aerobic Exercise, and (5) Lifestyle Maintenance. The integration of these action-oriented components leads to improved health and appearance. A variety of studies have demonstrated a decisive correlation between exercise, nutrition, and health. Proper exercise and nutrition lead to reduced life threatening and preventable chronic diseases, including diabetes, strokes hypertension, obesity, cancer, hypertension and osteoporosis. The PHL is targeted toward a long-range change in lifestyle instead of quick fixes. Therefore, an individual embracing a PHL will have a more fulfilling and sustaining life through managing their own health care.

FOOD SELECTION

Designed to introduce participants to a variety of nontraditional foods that are low in fat, saturated fats, cholesterol, high in nutrients, quick preparation, pleasurable to taste, and economically feasible.

MEAL PREPARATION (Demonstration and Taste)

To introduce participants to a health cooking style that will aid and promote a healthier quality of life:

1. Lecture regarding the health advantage to preparing low fat meals;2. Audio Visual- emphasizing the importance of including soy protein products in our daily diets; and3. Lecture regarding the economical and time saving factors with regards to preparing alternative low-fat meals.

BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS (RCA)

(Accumeasure Personal Body Fat Tester) Technology has generated state-of-the-art systems which are capable of accurately quantifying body fat levels. By testing participants’ body fat percentage, we can separate the pounds of fat and the pounds of muscles. Then when trying to a achieve the ideal weight goals, we can be sure that the pounds lost are from fat and not from muscle.

PHYSICAL FITNESS PRESCRIPTION

- Lack of exercise is probably the single most important reason that so many people are overweight. And obesity is not the only hazard of sedentary lifestyle. Leading health associations all agree that regular aerobic exercise and fitness activity can improve the overall quality of one’s life and slow the aging process. The focus of this component is:

PHYSICAL FITNESS PRESCRIPTION(continued)

! To acquaint participants with exercise routines and benefits of the aerobic effect and how it is achieved through rhythmic exercises.! To demonstrate the effects of consistent aerobicising on body dimensions where firming and adipose reduction can take place.! To improve cardiovascular action.! To introduce participants to reading and research materials to facilitate further independent study of aerobic fitness as a health and wellness strategy.

PHYSICAL FITNESS PRESCRIPTION(continued)

! Each aerobic session in conducted in four (4) steps:1. Warm-U[2. Aerobics3. Toning4. Cool DownRhythmic routines are choreographed to popular music led by the instructor and designed to comply with general aerobic principles.

HEALTH LIFESTYLE MAINTENANCE

Unfortunately, weight maintenance is a universal failing of all weight-loss programs, regardless of how established. Rather than focus on weight-loss, we focus on weight control and helping participants identify risk factors and lifestyle patterns that contribute to long-term maintenance. Routine follow-up will be conducted based on individual progress.

MOTIVATION Is an important factor, which determines the success level of the entire program. An individual has to be motivated to carry-out all aspects of this five-step program. When an individual is motivated, he or she is apt to be more committed to incorporating these components in their day-to-day life. Motivation is not necessarily a program component in and of itself; however, it is an indispensable ingredient PHL endeavors to impart to those who embrace the program.

PHILOSOPHY:Health Research Systems and Services, Inc. (HRSS) is dedicated to the principle that Faith-based interventions and programs are essential to the improvement of the health status of the African American community. Our aim is to reduce preventable chronic diseases in the African American community through educational, screening and faith-based programs to promote health and prevent disease.

GOALS:The corporation’s primary purpose is to improve the health status of the African American community. Its primary and continuing strategy has been to accomplish this purpose through reducing preventable chronic diseases through positive lifestyle changes by way of education and screening. The goals of this proposed program are as follows:

GOALS:1. To improve the participants; appreciation for a health life style through education and practice.

2. To positively impact on the participants health beliefs.

3. To familiarize the participants to healthy food selection and meal preparation.

4. To familiarize the participants with the importance of exercise to good health.

OBJECTIVES:Crucial problems such as the extremely high rate of preventable chronic diseases, couple with the high risk of hospitalization, morbidity and death among African Americans who have low skill and educational levels, poor health beliefs. The objectives set forth for the Primary Care Association project are as follows:

1. Develop and implement a four (4) phase education program designed to promote the positive lifestyle changes among the participants.

2. To establish through education health beliefs consistent with the present day health delivery system

OUTCOME EVALUATIONS:

This program will be evaluated by the use of Questionnaire Survey instruments. (1) preprogram survey questionnaire, to determine the participants understanding and appreciation for the importance of a healthy lifestyle on their health status. This instrument will also survey the participants knowledge base of preventable chronic diseases. (20 post-program survey questionnaire, to measure the impact of the program on improving the participants understanding and appreciation for the importance of a healthy lifestyle on their health status and the participants knowledge base of preventable chronic diseases.

PHASE IINTRODUCTION:

A. Program Orientation1. Program description2. Program expectations

B. Pre Exercise Health Screening1. Weight and height2. Blood Pressure3. Physical activity readiness(a) Health/Medical history(b) Health beliefs

PART I (continued)C. Body composition profile1. Results/review body composition profile2. Physical fitness prescription3.D. Exercise demonstration (*)

PART IWarm Up (low impact aerobics)StretchingAerobics (low to moderate impact)Liquid break

PART IIToningCool Down

PHASE IIPOSITIVE LIFE STYLE CHANGE AND MAINTENANCE:

Presentation on the correlation of life style to health status. (Nutrition, Exercise, Smoking Cessation and Health Maintenance)

1. Importance to good health2. Impact on obesity3. Impact on weight control4. Impact on cardiovascular and circulatory health

PHASE II (Continued)

FOOD SELECTION:

Introduction to nontraditional foods

EXERCISE:

Warm Up (low impact aerobics)StretchingAerobics (low to moderate impact)Liquid breakToningCool Down

PHASE IIIMEAL PREPARATION LECTURE:

A. Lecture regarding the health advantages to preparing low fat meals.

B. Audio-visual-emphasizing the importance of including soy protein products in our daily diets; and

C. Lecture regarding the economical and time saving factors with regard to preparing alternative low-fat meals.

EXERCISE: (If time permits)MEAL PREPARATION (Demonstration and taste)

PHASE IVEXERCISE:

PART IWarm Up (low impact aerobics)StretchingAerobics (low to moderate impact)

Liquid break

PART IIToningCool

A. Field TripB. Post QuestionnaireC. Fun Exercise Class