Harvesting food while conserving natural resources, and meeting the demands of a growing global population, is the goal of modern farming and ranching practices.

Some of these practices include; food biotechnology - which involves a range of processes used to enhance foods through various breeding and other techniques.

There is also local food production, which is most often produced, processed, packaged, distributed, and consumed within a smaller, defined area, experts say.

In addition to this, there is processed food which consumers associate with being less nutritious or containing artificial ingredients or other added substances.

According to Dr Christophe W. Ngendahayo, air and climate health expert, and founder of Air Health Now working at Kibagabaga Hospital, the term processed is commonly used to describe certain foods with low nutritional value, including snacks, desserts, and carbonated beverages.

Dr Kirimi Sindi, an agricultural economist, says highly processed foods like sugar, maize flour, wheat flour, cassava, spaghetti, noodles, are full of carbohydrates and most of the other nutrients have been removed. Therefore, he says, most people are eating too much energy.

He notes that when it comes to dining out, people eat foods like French fries, bread, burgers, ice cream, and drink soda and beer, all of which are full of sugar.

This, Sindi says, combined with our sedentary lifestyle, becomes an issue.

When this happens, the excess energy taken in is converted to fat, creating high chances of becoming obese, he says.

Dr Sindi goes on to add that these foods, coupled with sedentary lifestyles, lead to many non-communicable ailments.

Ngendahayo says food is a fundamental part of society; however, it is also at the centre of many challenges we face now, and will likely face in the future from a health, social, economic and environmental perspective.

Ngendahayo points out that for many, traditional diets are being replaced by processed fast foods where fat and sugar have become the cheapest way to get calories, cheaper than staples like grains, beans, lentils, or fruits and vegetables.

These factors encourage a higher intake of calories while decreasing the energy (calories) spent through physical activity, he says.

The implications

World Health Organization (WHO) defines overweight and obesity as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health.

Body mass index (BMI) is used to classify overweight and obesity in adults.

Overweight is when BMI is greater than or equal to 25; and obesity is BMI greater than or equal to 30.

The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended.

According to WHO, nowadays there is an increased intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat and sugars; and an increase in physical inactivity due to the increasingly sedentary nature of many forms of work, changing modes of transportation, and increasing urbanisation.

Changes in dietary and physical activity patterns, WHO notes, are often the result of environmental and societal changes associated with the development, and lack of supportive policies in sectors such as health, agriculture, transport, and food processing, among others.

Overweight and obesity is a new epidemic globally, Ngendahayo says, we are experiencing health and environmental disasters, with rising rates of obesity and non-communicable diseases and severe challenges posed by climate change.

Globally, more than 1.9 billion adults aged 18 and older were overweight in 2016. Of these, over 650 million adults were obese.

In Rwanda, according to the available statistics from Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC); overall, the Rwanda NCD survey found that 2.8 per cent are obese, 14.3 percent are overweight and 7.8 per cent underweight.

Obesity is prevalent in the age group 35 to 54 and females account for 4.7 per cent.

Additionally, the prevalence of obesity is more predominant in urban areas with 10.2 per cent and Kigali City with 7.7 per cent.

Overweight and obesity are linked to millions of deaths worldwide more than underweight and are the fifth highest risk factor for death, according to WHO.

Low-income economies are also the most vulnerable to the loss of productivity caused by early death and disability, while it can affect people from all levels of society.

Ngendahayo says that overweight and obesity exposes people to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some forms of cancer. NCDs kill more people than all other causes combined.

These diseases cause enormous human loss and impose heavy costs on health systems. They also reduce overall productivity by killing and disabling people in their productive years, he adds.

Way forward

Private Kamanzi, a nutritionist at Amazon Nutrition Cabinet, Kigali, says eating a healthy diet and being physically active is essential as it will keep these conditions at bay.

He notes that turning to organic food reduces, or cutting off processed and sugary drinks, is vital as well.

Given the threats we are faced by obesity and overweight, Ngendahayo says urgent radical change is required.

Government and non-government organisations have vital roles to play in changing the policies and practices that shape behaviour around diet and physical activity, he says.

These, he says, include the trade, agriculture, transport and other urban planning policies that determine whether people have healthy options, as well as investment in education, media, and marketing that influence peoples choices.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com

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Modern diet and its impact on health - The New Times

Dishing on her diet! Jenna Dewan sticks to a vegan or vegetarian eating regimen that includes plenty of healthy meals and snacks, with the occasional indulgence thrown in.

I believe in eating 80/20, the Flirty Dancing host, 39, said on Wednesday, August 26, while promoting her Renew Life probiotics partnership. I do 80 percent as healthy as possible vegetarian and vegan, as healthy as I can.

While she eats nutritious foods like lots of vegetables and lots of smoothies the majority of the time, Dewan noted the other 20 percent of her meals arent quite as healthy. And then 20 percent Im eating Mexican food if I want it, she declared. You know, Ive gotta be able to indulge and have a glass of wine and feel good in that way, so that helps me not be so strict and so focused in one way.

As the Resident star alluded to, the 80/20 diet, which also counts Kristin Cavallari and Olivia Munn as fans, focuses on eating healthfully 80 percent of the time and eating what you want during the other 20 percent.

At the start of each day, the Gracefully You author has a whole routine that she sticks to that involves a cleansing beverage and spending time with her son with fianc Steve Kazee, 5-month-old Callum. I wake up, I go downstairs, I have my baby we kinda, like, roll out of bed together [and] I get my supplements for the morning, she explained. While Dewan said she takes her supplements on an empty stomach, she does wash them down with a soothing hot cup of water with lemon.

I love healthy living, the Step Up star added. Ive taken quite a lot of supplements, I make quite a lot of smoothies. Im, like, really about trying to keep myself in balance and healthy as much as possible.

Aside from eating well, Dewan noted that meditation has been another game changer in her life, especially since things have been particularly hectic for the Witches of East End alum in coronavirus quarantine. I do breathwork meditation, I do [transcendental meditation] style mantras, I do lots of things that sort of bring me back to a place of connection with myself, she said.

In addition to Callum, the Connecticut native shares 7-year-old daughter Everly with her ex-husband, Channing Tatum. Having a baby, a 7-year-old who goes back and forth through two homes [is hard], Dewan explained. We cant control whether were gonna come in contact with COVID-19 necessarily, but we can control boosting our immune system to the level that we can. For me, Im making sure Im taking my supplements, getting as much rest and balance as I can.

With reporting by Carly Sloane

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Jenna Dewan Explains Her 80/20 Diet: Ive Gotta Be Able to Indulge and Have a Glass of Wine - Us Weekly

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A recent study carried out in Q3 of this year reveals that a total of 11% of global consumers are vegetarian, 20% are flexitarian, and 3% identify as vegan, signifying that one third of consumers around the world are following a diet that is based around the moderation or elimination of animal produce.

The FMCG Gurus Foodservice survey was carried out in 26 countries amongst 31,000 respondents, and centred around the subject of foodservice and consumer satisfaction therein. The results found that when questioned, vegans are significantly less likely to be satisfied with menus within the foodservice sector compared to vegetarians and flexitarians. This indicates that more plant-based food and drink should be available in the channel, especially as they will appeal to other consumers looking to limit intake of animal produce.

A total of 24% of all consumers say that they would like to see foodservice outlets promote products that are suitable for plant-based diets, whilst 27% said that they think foodservice outlets could better capture their attention through promoting plant-based products.

The report concludes that whilst appealing to vegans is important, vegan-inspired menus will not just be limited to this group in terms of appeal, and that positioning plant-based food and drink products around health and sustainability benefits is an initiative that will have appeal and positive repercussions around the world.

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Study Shows a 3rd of World Population Follow a Diet Based on Reduction or Elimination of Meat - vegconomist - the vegan business magazine

Many people have noticed that clothes are fitting tighter as the pandemic shutdown keeps going. These pandemic pounds have launched a series of weight loss messages from health professionals promoting a healthy weight to decrease risks associated with COVID-19 disease. However, weight loss during a pandemic comes with additional challenges to consider.

Question: What makes dieting risky during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Answer: Cutting calories for rapid weight loss generally cuts down on the supply of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals and protein. When nutrient levels drop too low, the function of the immune system can be impaired, reducing the bodys capacity to handle any infection, especially one like COVID-19.

Q: What is the best way to lose those pandemic pounds safely?

A: Take a moderate-dose multivitamin/mineral supplement. The proper function of the immune system is dependent on an adequate supply of several vitamins and minerals. When eating less food, it is difficult to meet these nutrient needs even if you are making more healthy food choices. A standard multi can fill the gaps.

Keep or increase high-protein foods in the diet. Cut calories by reducing high-carbohydrate and high-fat foods not protein. The immune system requires an adequate supply of high-quality protein.

Maintain muscle. During weight loss, the quickest thing, but the worst thing to lose is body protein mainly in the form of muscles. Muscle tissues use more calories, even at rest, than most other components of the body. So, lose muscle, and the body burns fewer calories, which, of course, makes it harder to keep losing weight or to maintain weight loss.

Exercise enough, but not too much. Protecting body muscle tissues from loss during dieting requires a combination of consuming enough protein and being physically active. Keep in mind that moderate exercise can help to maintain muscle and healthy immune function. However, too little or too much exercise can impair immune system health.

Stay hydrated. During warmer weather, it is easy to get dehydrated. Keep favorite beverages, including water, handy for sipping throughout the day. A simple measure of hydration is the color of urine. If it looks like apple juice, drink more. Bright yellow usually means you recently took a vitamin supplement. Caffeine-containing beverages may pass through a bit quicker, but they still help hydrate.

Aim for gradual loss. Rapid weight loss is not fat loss. If your diet has about 500 calories less than you need each day, that will add up to the loss of about one pound of fat per week. Since something like a 16-ounce coffee temporarily increases weight by a pound, pay more attention to waist size than body weight to monitor successful fat loss.

Alan Titchenal, Ph.D., C.N.S., and Joannie Dobbs, Ph.D., C.N.S., are nutritionists in the Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. Dobbs also works with University Health Services.

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Column: Be smart and safe when trying to lose weight during coronavirus pandemic - Honolulu Star-Advertiser

A lot of parents consider education within schools to be purely academic. Whereas students often see school as a mix of academia and socializing. Very few of us really consider the practical lessons that also take place. While theres no doubt that English, Math, and Science are important, health education classes can also have a huge impact on the overall quality of life of pupils. It should not be overlooked.

The skills and knowledge that this class provides can also make a huge difference in their future. This is a class take teaches students about some of lifes important personal decisions.

Thats why its so important to follow the 5 tips below when developing a health education curriculum for students.

There are a whole lot of people who need to be involved in producing a strong curriculum. This includes,

All of them should have a say This is because each of these individuals has their own area of expertise that can be valuable to developing a solid program.

Leaving all aspects of health to a person who is only experienced in one field can leave huge gaps in your syllabus. Therefore, it is important to promote the fact that you are developing a curriculum in order to make sure that you include as many voices as possible.

Without representation from all aspects of the community, and people who have specific qualifications in certain areas, your curriculum wont be as effective as it could potentially be.

As a good health class will cover everything from cycling safely to immunizations to STIs to mental health to diet and exercise, it is simply impossible to expect one person to be able to put together a great curriculum on so many varied issues.

Many communities have existing groups that provide information on a variety of topics that will also be covered in a health class. It can be very helpful to coordinate with these groups.

This will make sure that you have the correct connections to the outside community. It is particularly important because these organizations are where your students will find support after they leave school.

This also ensures that

This makes it easier for students to speak with their family members or get advice from within or outside of school.

It can also be really helpful to have guest speakers come to health class to talk about their relevant areas of work. Students may be less self-conscious and happier to ask questions of them.

These experts will also be able to draw on their own experiences, without worrying about accidentally revealing the identity of a student who may have been in trouble.

For example, a regular teacher may not have sufficient knowledge to deliver an effective class regarding violence, gangs, or even mental health. These are all incredibly complex subjects.

If you want to provide your students with the best possible education, then you will need to link with professionals like this.

Many parents are very uncomfortable addressing topics such as sex, reproduction, or even alcohol and drug use. Often, parents only really bring up these issues once theyre already worried about their kids. Or when they suspect their child is already be involved.

However, prevention is always the best approach. Most studies show that talking to kids about two years before certain behaviors are expected to start is most effective.

This means that they need to learn about drinking responsibly before it is legal. And, they need to learn about having safe sex before the ages at which sexual experimentation begins in earnest.

While there may be some resistance from parents, any good curriculum must start at the right time to be effective. This should absolutely be considered during the planning stages of curriculum development.

Its important to do research into the local area for the ages most students are at risk for various issues, such as mental health or drug use. And, to make sure that your health class addresses this in the two years prior to that age.

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Your health education curriculum should be standardized as much as possible. You should be following core pillars and making sure you include universal principles in your teaching.

You shouldnt decide to neglect certain parts of well-acknowledged necessary elements because you feel they dont fit in with your school. Following expert recommendations on topics and procedures is absolutely the best way forward.

However, this needs to be done in a delicate balance with a personal approach. Nobody knows better than you what issues are more important in your school.

For example, there may be more eating disorders, obesity, or mental health problems in your area than on average. If that is the case, it makes sense to focus on those elements more than others if thats what you think your students need. But, remember, you do need to cover all of the topics even if you choose to focus more on certain ones.

There should also be an option for creativity and student involvement to make sure that they are, in fact, receiving the services that they need.

While this may be tough in schools or districts that are more religious, the priority needs to be the continued well-being of students. This means that you should not avoid subjects on standardized elements just because they might ruffle some feathers.

When coming up with a curriculum for a health class, a lot of healthcare and education professionals forget to check if the rest of the school reinforces the lessons students receive.

Is it possible to talk to someone about mental health? Is contraception available and are there signs to make students aware of where they can find help anonymously?

Even small factors, like ensuring healthy lunch options are available, can help solidify the message of living a healthy life. This makes your message more meaningful and earns the trust and confidence of students.

Developing a health class that works for all students is tough. However, following the above tips helps you provide a class that can provide a lot of advice, relevant to all students.

This article was first published on 6/27/17. It was medically reviewed and updated for republication on 8/30/20.

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5 Tips for an Effective Health Education Curriculum - The Doctor Weighs In

Monday, Aug. 17

12:40 p.m. A Warwick resident, 74, was issued a summons for driving with a suspended licence and issued a violation for an expired inspection sticker on Division Street.

2:30 p.m. A beagle got loose and bit a woman on Lenihan Lane after its owner left the garage door open for the milkman. The dogs rabies vaccine was not up to date and the owner was instructed to quarantine the dog for 10 days before updating the vaccine with a veterinarian.

3:09 p.m. A man with no shirt was heard yelling at people on Frenchtown Road. Police spoke with the man, who said he was walking to Dunkin Donuts.

4:29 p.m. A caller told police he heard screaming coming from an EG house when he rode his bike past the residence. Police checked on the house and found everyone was fine. Police said one member of the family has autism and sometimes makes loud noises.

6:05 p.m. An resident told police her car had been keyed. She only noticed it after someone had showed up at her place of work and yelled at her. The woman was so alarmed, she asked police to escort her to her car after her shift. Only later, after hearing from coworkers that the other person had been seen near the residents car, did she check the vehicle and notice it had been keyed.

8:15 p.m. Police got multiple reports of young people on bikes and a woman in a car engaged in a screaming match near the basketball courts on Cliff Street.

Tuesday, Aug. 18

12:59 a.m. Neighbors of Temple Torat Yisrael on Middle Road reported seeing three youths running in the street, one with a flashlight. Police located the three who stated they snuck out to go on a walk. Officers spoke with parents of all three youths, who were allowed to return to the house where they were having a sleepover.

8:28 a.m. A caller told police about a woman asleep in her car on Main Street. EGPD spoke with the woman, who said shed arrived early for work.

1:10 p.m. A Massachusetts man told police about a road rage incident that took place while he was driving south on South County Trail. He said a truck pulled in front of him then brake-checked him. The Massachusetts man said he passed the truck when he could but when they were both stopped at the light at Frenchtown Road, the truck driver got out, knocked on the mans window, then kicked the bumper of his car. The man said he didnt want to file a criminal complaint, just wanted the incident noted.

4:17 p.m. A caller informed police that a fight was taking place outside of a camper in the Cracker Barrel parking lot off Centre of New England Boulevard. The dispatched officers found the occupants were inside the camper watching television and not engaged in an argument.

5 p.m. An arrest warrant was issued for a Marlborough Street woman, 40, who was in violation of a no-contact order when she had a verbal argument days earlier with the party she was not meant to be near. This suspect is the same woman arrested for assaulting the person Aug. 7.

8:33 p.m. The owner of Nautika Restaurant on Water Street contacted police because an employee had received a threatening message from her boyfriend. The woman did not provide police with her boyfriends information but police stayed close to the area.

11:04 p.m. A caller told police about an erratic driver on Frenchtown Road heading east. Police stopped the vehicle on Post Road. According to the log, the driver checked out sober but has trouble seeing at night.

Wednesday, Aug. 19

9:06 p.m. A Laurel Wood resident complained about an ongoing problem in which a group of juveniles ring his doorbell and then run away. He has chased them in the past and was unable to identify any of them until this recent occurrence as he had installed a Nest doorbell camera. He provided EGPD with photos and video footage of the event.

6:51 p.m. A resident told police two men were having an altercation at South Road and Shady Hill Drive. Police arrived to find the men were not fighting, but they were speaking loudly. They were told to quiet down.

10:13 p.m. The owner of Main Street Convenience Store reported three young men pulling signs off the store. Police located a group of young men who were positively identified by the owner of the store who agreed not to press charges stating that the kids were simply acting dumb. They told police they would go home for the night.

Thursday, Aug. 20

2:07 a.m. Police spoke with a woman parked in the EGPD lot who had been sitting there for several minutes seemingly distraught. The woman said she was on her way home and had been upset about her divorce; shed pulled over to collect herself. She said she was safe and would proceed home shortly.

6:27 p.m. An EG resident told police a man was growling and yelling outside their house. Police found the man to be fine but instructed him to go back into his house.

8:26 p.m. A caller told police a group of kids were riding electric bicycles in the roadway on Cedar Avenue without reflective gear or lights. Police were unable to find the group.

9:32 p.m. Police checked on a woman driving a white Jeep erratically from Goddard Park. They located the car at Thorpes Liquors and proceeded to have the driver perform field sobriety tests, which she passed. The police did not find the woman smelled like alcohol and her eyes were clear. There was no sign of alcohol in her car.The woman said she was a model and might have been driving erratically due to not eating as a result of her diet and fatigue. She said she could drive home safely and did not need a ride.

Friday, Aug. 21

2:15 a.m. An Osprey Drive resident called police when he spotted two vehicles moving slowly on High Hawk Road. Police later determined that one of the cars, a Volkswagen SUV, had been stolen from a residence on High Hawk Road. The vehicle was recovered and found to have a smudged fingerprint on the front passenger door. Police also obtained surveillance footage of the suspects in the act and heard one of the suspects refer to a co-conspirator as Joe.

11:49 a.m. A Bow Street resident filed a report stating a packet was stolen from her car with all of the bank information for her businesses. The incident occured on July 23 when she noticed that someone had searched her car for valuables, but she did not file a report at that time as she did not think anything of value had been stolen from her car. (On July 23, several other residents reported car break ins and thefts.)

12:15 p.m. A Narragansett man told police a helicopter taking off from Camp Fogarty kicked up dirt and blew wind that caused the cargo cover to fly off his 2006 Dodge Ram pickup truck on South County Trail. He retrieved the cover, reported the incident to Camp Fogarty, and said he was unsure if he could snap the cover back on his truck.

3:31 p.m. Police were unable to locate an unruly customer who was yelling at the manager of Main Street Coffee.

11:49 p.m. An East Greenwich resident allegedly threatened people, including valets, in the Nautika Restaurant parking lot and attempted to rip off his shirt in an aggressive manner, according to police. EGFD transported the man, who appeared to be very drunk, to Kent Hospital. Police were later told by the valets that the individual asked if any of them had a gun as he would like to shoot up the people on Main Street. A representative of Nautika Restaurant requested a no-trespass order be placed against the individual.

Saturday, Aug. 22

9:17 a.m. A resident told police someone put cheese on his car. He did not wish to file a report but requested extra checks of the area to apprehend the culprit.

10:40 a.m. An East Greenwich man, 39 the same man who allegedly threatened people at Nautika late Saturday, was arrested on a bench warrant for failing to appear in court in April. He was transported to the ACI.

5:53 p.m. A resident informed EGPD of a flock of turkeys on Howland Road, one of which had a wire wrapped around its foot. Police notified DEM.

7:39 p.m. A caller told police a dog was in a red Dodge pickup truck at Nautika Restaurant. Officers determined the dog was OK and the owner was close by the car.

Sunday, Aug. 23

5:49 a.m. Scituate PD located the East Greenwich woman who violated the no-trespass order earlier in the week. She was found at a residence on Chopmist Hill Road where EGPD took custody of the woman, 40, completed the arrest and processed the suspect.

9:53 p.m. An anonymous caller stated that music was blaring from a party taking place on Hoyer Court. Police instructed the individuals to turn the music off and the party disbanded.

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