On-base dietician available to answer nutrition, health questions

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kirsten Wicker
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Active duty, dependents, Department of Defense civilians, contractors and retirees now have a great resource on their side to help learn about nutrition, healthy shopping and cooking and staying fit for life.

Chloe Tay, a registered dietician of six years, is available through the Health and Wellness Center as part of the 62nd Medical Operations Squadron. 

About two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight, and almost one-third are obese, according to 2001-2004 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. That is nearly 66 percent of the U.S. population. Overweight and obesity are known risk factors for diabetes, coronary heart disease, high blood cholesterol, stroke, hypertension, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis (degeneration of cartilage and bone of joints), sleep apnea and other breathing problems, some forms of cancer (breast, colorectal, endometrial, and kidney), according to the National Institutes of Health. 

"The Body Composition Improvement Program is a nutrition intervention class for active duty personnel. It is a two series class that builds upon the basics learned in the basic nutrition portion of the Healthy Living Program, also offered at the HAWC," said Ms. Tay. "Participants learn to reduce health risks through positive eating habits." 

Part one of the class meets on the first and third Wednesdays of every month at 8 a.m. at the HAWC and part two on the second and fourth Wednesdays. 

"It (the BCIP) was an excellent course. It was very informative and you can actually break things down and keep track of your calories," said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Olsen, 361st Recruiting Squadron, an active duty Airman who participated in the program here recently. "It helped me control mindless eating and I lost 18 pounds and passed my physical fitness test." 

Individual appointments are also available for people interested in developing a personalized healthy eating plan to help manage weight, cholesterol, blood pressure and other nutrition-related health concerns. 
In addition, there is a weight management support group that meets at 11 a.m. every third Thursday of the month at the HAWC. 

The National Institutes of Health offers these tips for healthy eating:
· Eat breakfast every day. People who eat breakfast are less likely to overeat later in the day. Breakfast also gives you energy and helps you get your day off to a healthy start.
· Choose whole grains more often. Try whole-wheat breads and pastas, oatmeal, brown rice, or bulgur.
· Select a mix of colorful vegetables each day. Vegetables of different colors provide different nutrients. Choose dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, collards, and mustar greens, and reds and oranges such as carrots, sweet potatoes, red peppers, and tomatoes.
· Choose fresh, canned, or frozen fruit more often than fruit juice. Fruit juice has little or no fiber, and the calories may be high. Fresh, canned, or frozen fruit is often better for you. If you eat canned fruit, opt for fruit packed in water rather than syrup.
· Use fats and oils sparingly. Olive, canola, and peanut oils, avocados, nuts and nut butters, olives, and fish provide heart-healthy fat as well as vitamins and minerals.
· Eat sweets sparingly. Limit foods and beverages that are high in added sugars.
· Eat three meals every day. If you skip meals or replace a meal with a snack, you might overeat later on.
· Have low-fat, low-sugar snacks on hand. Whether you are at home, at work, or on the go, healthy snacks may help to combat hunger and prevent overeating. 

Hypertension and cholesterol prevention and reduction classes are offered at the HAWC, as well as cooking demonstrations. 

"We at the HAWC strive to be positive, supportive, and encouraging of folks who are trying to make healthy lifestyle change," Ms. Tay said. "It is all about working on small positive changes and turning those into habits that will sustain you for a lifetime of wellness."

Ms. Tay is a 1996 graduate of Willamette University in Salem, Ore., where she received a bachelor of arts degree in biology. She is also a 2002 graduate of the University of Washington where she received a master's degree in nutrition. Before arriving at McChord in September 2007, Ms. Tay worked at Community Health Centers of King County.