Give The Gift Of Health, UF Faculty Suggest

December 11, 1998

GAINESVILLE—For many Americans, the end-of-the-year holiday season is heralded with carefree overindulgence, as decadent desserts, fat-laden dinners and free-flowing alcohol rule the day. In other words, it’s not a time when health concerns take center stage.

University of Florida faculty suggest that one way to keep priorities in order is to give — and ask for — health-boosting presents.

“I can’t think of a more loving gift than one that promotes health,” said Dr. Nancy Hardt, an associate professor of pathology in UF’s College of Medicine.

“We’re the fattest nation in the world and there’s no end in sight,” said Patrick Bird, dean of UF’s College of Health and Human Performance. “This has serious and long-term national health implications. But if you focus on wellness, you can make a tremendous difference in health and quality of life.”

Health-conscious gifts include:

• Exercise equipment, such as jump ropes, weights and bicycles.
• Safety-oriented items, including sunscreen, smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors, and bicycle helmets.
• Subscriptions to reputable health magazines or journals.
• Cookbooks that promote healthful eating, such as one produced by the American Heart Association.
• Certificates for a trial health club membership, a free massage, new walking shoes or dancing lessons.
• No-cost offers to become a friend’s walking partner or ally in kicking the smoking habit.

• “You have to be a little sensitive to other people’s feelings, but if you have a friend who says they’re not eating right and not feeling well, you could offer a free trip to visit a dietitian,” said Bird, who writes a syndicated wellness column. “That is a great way to begin because all of us tend to underestimate what we are eating. Another option for those with the resources is to send them to a program like Gator Life.”
  For $1,500, a person can spend a week at UF undergoing assessments of cardiovascular and muscular fitness, attending workshops on diet and exercise and engaging in a variety of activities, such as weightlifting, swimming, walking and cycling.

  James Jessup, an assistant professor in the College of Nursing, thinks a “heart watch” would make a great gift for those interested in or just starting a walking program. Heart watches measure a person’s pulse.

  “Heart watches take a lot of the fear and guesswork out of exercise, particularly for older people,” Jessup said. “The watches help people control the intensity of their workout so they won’t overdo it, but they can still make sure they are getting the cardiovascular conditioning they need.”

  The heart watch Jessup uses — a Polar Pacer — costs about $80 and is available at sporting goods stores.

  “Exercise is the best drug in the world,” Jessup said. “It improves your endurance and increases your energy for your daily activities. It lowers your weight, blood pressure and blood sugar, and increases your bone mineral density and your level of HDL, the so-called ‘good cholesterol.’ ”

  Smoke detectors are standard equipment in homes these days, but another life-saving detector is not–one that sounds an alarm at dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

  “It’s a good thing to have,” said Dr. T. James Gallagher, a professor of anesthesiology and surgery and the chief of critical-care medicine at the College of Medicine.

  Gallagher bought one for his home two years ago, prompted by the several dozen cases of carbon monoxide poisoning treated at Shands hospital at UF each year. Space heaters, poorly maintained chimneys and other heat sources can create a toxic buildup of the gas when ventilation is inadequate.

  Warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, nausea, sleepiness, dizziness and disorientation. In high concentrations, carbon monoxide can cause loss of consciousness and death. Many victims die in their sleep. Carbon monoxide detectors cost $30 to $60, Gallagher said.

  How will people react to receiving a health-promoting gift? While some might see it as a nagging commentary on their way of life, others are likely to be quite receptive. Witness the millions of people each year who try to quit smoking, lose weight, begin an exercise plan or seek the perfect vitamin supplement.

  “Wellness is a growth industry,” Bird said. “Baby boomers in particular tend to be very health-conscious. They are really the first generation to have grown up with a lot of messages about keeping healthy. As a result, they may do better than those that came before.”