DoDEA HQ Health and Wellness

DoDEA HQ Health and Wellness This page is for DoDEA HQ employees who are interested in health and wellness and want to encourage each other to live a healthy life. Please share information about nutrition, physical activity, sleeping, stress, mental health, and anything else related.

DoDEA is a field activity of the Office of the Secretary of Defense. It is headed by a director who oversees all agency functions from DoDEA headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. DoDEA's schools are divided into three areas; Department of Defense Schools - Europe (DoDDS-E), Department of Defense Schools - Pacific (DoDDS-P) / Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools - Guam (DDESS-G), and the Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS). Each area is managed by an area director. Within each of these three areas, schools are organized into districts headed by superintendents. Generally accepted standards of etiquette for our Social Media Users

DoDEA social media sites afford an opportunity for interested stakeholders to interact directly with us in a free exchange of thought on a wide range of topics of interest. We welcome productive participation from all users. We subscribe to the DoD user's agreement posted on this site. http://www.defense.gov/socialmedia/user-agreement.aspx

While we respect an individual's right to free speech and expression, we have no intention of commenting on matters that regard personal and/or confidential information about a specific employee, student, or parent. Our page is not designed to circumvent the use of the chain of command on issues that should be reported and resolved through established supervisory and reporting channels. Additionally, we ask our users to observe generally accepted standards of etiquette for a school system. We reserve the right to delete any content that contains:

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The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense Education Activity of the linked websites, or the information, products or services contained therein. All links are provided consistent with the mission of the Department of Defense Education Activity.

Operating as usual

Dr. Atkins was right?
09/02/2014
A Call for a Low-Carb Diet

Dr. Atkins was right?

In a finding that upends long-held notions about a healthy diet, a major study shows that avoiding carbohydrates and eating more fat contributes to weight loss and fewer cardiovascular risks.

People who exercise can generally tolerate more pain than those who do not. This makes total sense (although it's a smal...
08/13/2014
How Exercise Helps Us Tolerate Pain

People who exercise can generally tolerate more pain than those who do not. This makes total sense (although it's a small study) and personal experience also verifies this, at least for me.

The results of a new study remind us that the longer we stick with an exercise program, the less physically discomfiting it will feel.

Be a role model for your kids, or for other people's kids! Stay healthy DoDEA.
07/09/2014
This Is Our Youth

Be a role model for your kids, or for other people's kids! Stay healthy DoDEA.

Young Americans are becoming less aerobically fit with every year, with only 42 percent of 12- to 15-year-olds in a new study making it into the “healthy fitness zone.”

Broccoli stems are almost my favorite part. DO NOT THROW AWAY! :)
06/20/2014
Broccoli, Stems and All

Broccoli stems are almost my favorite part. DO NOT THROW AWAY! :)

Broccoli stems often play second fiddle to the more popular crowns, and are sometimes even shunned altogether. That’s a shame, because stems have a charm all their own. These recipes highlight the differences in texture and flavor of two parts of the same vegetable.

With all the attention to probiotics and the stomach over the past few years, here's some interesting news about how exe...
06/18/2014
Exercise and the 'Good' Bugs in Our Gut

With all the attention to probiotics and the stomach over the past few years, here's some interesting news about how exercise may impact what's in your tummy. Is there anything exercise can't improve?!

Frequent exercise may influence our weight and overall health by altering the kinds of organisms that live inside of us, a new study suggests.

As summer vacation is upon us, this review showed "six of the 7 studies reported accelerated summer weight gain for at l...
06/18/2014
Preventing Chronic Disease | Accelerated Weight Gain Among Children During Summer Versus School...

As summer vacation is upon us, this review showed "six of the 7 studies reported accelerated summer weight gain for at least a portion of the study population, with an effect of summer on weight gain identified for the following subgroups: black, Hispanic, and overweight children and adolescents."

The objective of this study was to compile and summarize research examining variations in weight gain among students during the summer in comparison to the school year, with a focus on racial/ethnic disparities and students who are at risk of overweight.

Facinating: "In aggregate, these three experiments underscore that how we frame physical activity affects how we eat aft...
06/04/2014
Losing Weight May Require Some Serious Fun

Facinating: "In aggregate, these three experiments underscore that how we frame physical activity affects how we eat afterward...The same exertion, spun as “fun” instead of “exercise,” prompts less gorging on high-calorie foods, she said.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/06/04/losing-weight-may-require-some-serious-fun/

Volunteers who were told to exercise by walking a mile consumed more calories afterward than those who were told to have fun while completing the same workout, a provocative new study found.

Check out this tool on eating on a budget. Worth a look...
06/02/2014
Healthy Eating on A Budget

Check out this tool on eating on a budget. Worth a look...

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive. Use these tips and materials to make healthy choices while staying within your budget.

Some of these "healthier" desserts look very enticing. My favorite food recently is Greek yogurt and I think I'll try so...
05/15/2014
10 Sweet Summertime Treats

Some of these "healthier" desserts look very enticing. My favorite food recently is Greek yogurt and I think I'll try some of the recipies with that. YUMMY.

Cool down with this collection of ice cream desserts perfect for pool time, party time and any summer event in-between.

05/15/2014

Just took a "Productivity Walk" with some of my coworkers. Ten minutes of walking and stairs was exactly what we needed to keep us focused until quitting time!

We have a lot of "exercise snakers" here in DoDEA! I know it's easier for me to get one long workout in a day, rather th...
05/14/2014
Exercise 'Snacks' to Control Blood Sugar

We have a lot of "exercise snakers" here in DoDEA! I know it's easier for me to get one long workout in a day, rather than a number of shorter intense workouts, but it looks like it's a good option with potentially similar/better results.

Multiple brief bouts of of exercise in a day may regulate blood sugar levels better than a single, continuous workout.

Can you guess who's moving?Comment below to guess who owns the shoes that are in the picture.Be sure to keep moving!
05/07/2014

Can you guess who's moving?
Comment below to guess who owns the shoes that are in the picture.

Be sure to keep moving!

I LOVE my foam roller and use it daily. I especially like to roll out my back and neck, almost as good as a massage. Try...
04/25/2014
Ask Well: Do Foam Rollers Aid Workouts?

I LOVE my foam roller and use it daily. I especially like to roll out my back and neck, almost as good as a massage. Try it!

A reader asks: At the gym, instead of traditional stretching, I see tons of people rolling around on foam rollers. What does the research say about the benefits?

I ate at least a quart of peas last week and had some more today. LOVE them and turns out, they may help lower my choles...
04/14/2014
Beans and Peas Lower Cholesterol

I ate at least a quart of peas last week and had some more today. LOVE them and turns out, they may help lower my cholesterol. Even better.

A review of studies found that consuming a few legumes a day appeared to reduce levels of “bad” cholesterol.

04/09/2014
Are You Programmed to Enjoy Exercise?

Interesting read! Enjoy.

According to an eye-opening new genetics study of lab rats, the motivation to exercise — or not — may be at least partly inherited.

SEVEN servings of fruit and veggies a day? If you are doing that I have a feeling you are living a healthy life in a lot...
04/01/2014
'Eat seven a day' fruit and veg call

SEVEN servings of fruit and veggies a day? If you are doing that I have a feeling you are living a healthy life in a lot of other ways...but even if you eat a few servings of fruit and veggies it's much better than nothing!

Eating seven or more portions of fruit and vegetables every day, rather than the five currently recommended, could significantly cut the risk of death, researchers say.

This is one I actually want to try: for something to snack on, use a yogurt dip to compliment raw vegetables. Look onli...
03/27/2014
Tip of the Day: Craving a Snack?

This is one I actually want to try: for something to snack on, use a yogurt dip to compliment raw vegetables. Look online for recipes.

I didn't realize back pain was so wide spread. My workout partner just went down with a back injury and is having surger...
03/26/2014
Low Back Pain is the No.1 Leading Cause of Disability Worldwide

I didn't realize back pain was so wide spread. My workout partner just went down with a back injury and is having surgery soon. Watch yourself, especially when picking up heavy items!

Low back pain, which is responsible for one-third of all work-related disability, is the leading cause of disability worldwide, according to two new studies.

Interesting op ed on what DoD is doing around health/fitness.
03/14/2014
Opinion: Health initiatives can save money, boost readiness

Interesting op ed on what DoD is doing around health/fitness.

Creating budgets for the Defense Department is always challenging. But determining where to cut and where to spend requires an intense analysis of high-cost line items.

make sure you take the DoDEA Physical Fitness Pilot Program survey!!
03/12/2014
DoDEA Physical Fitness Pilot Program Surveys

make sure you take the DoDEA Physical Fitness Pilot Program survey!!

Web survey powered by SurveyMonkey.com. Create your own online survey now with SurveyMonkey's expert certified FREE templates.

Jenna Wolfe is challenging every American to get healthy! The TODAY anchor, a certified personal trainer, and other expe...
02/28/2014

Jenna Wolfe is challenging every American to get healthy! The TODAY anchor, a certified personal trainer, and other experts will deliver daily diet and workout tips to your inbox every day in March that will lead to a healthier and happier you.

Sign up now! http://on.today.com/1fOHCTa

Jenna Wolfe is challenging every American to get healthy! The TODAY anchor, a certified personal trainer, and other experts will deliver daily diet and workout tips to your inbox every day in March that will lead to a healthier and happier you.

Sign up now! http://on.today.com/1fOHCTa

A new fitness tracker is going on the market soon and the screen looks fabulous! Count me as excited.
02/24/2014
Samsung Gear Fit

A new fitness tracker is going on the market soon and the screen looks fabulous! Count me as excited.

A gorgeous curved display makes this fitness band a beaut, and a persistent heart rate monitor clocks your vitals.

MUST read! "Otis Brawley, chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society, urges careful attention to the “three-l...
02/18/2014
Another reason to eat well, lose weight and get in shape

MUST read!

"Otis Brawley, chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society, urges careful attention to the “three-legged stool” of excess weight, poor diet and inadequate physical activity, which together are linked to between a quarter to a third of cancer cases. If tobacco use continues its decline of the past 15 years or so, he said, that trio may supplant smoking as the leading preventable cause of cancer."

New evidence on how weight, diet and exercise can help reduce cancer risk.

02/11/2014
MSN Video

To lighten things up today, enjoy this interview, er blooper, of some joggers in the snow! You can tell they are not from a snowy climate :)

Check out this great video from MSN.

Partnership staff meeting healthy snacks. Encourage each other to eat right!
02/11/2014

Partnership staff meeting healthy snacks. Encourage each other to eat right!

Does your produce keep going bad before you can eat it? Try frozen vegetables instead--they offer the same nutritional v...
02/04/2014
Tip of the Day: Make Your Veggies Last

Does your produce keep going bad before you can eat it? Try frozen vegetables instead--they offer the same nutritional value.

Does your produce keep going bad before you can eat it? Try frozen vegetables instead--they offer the same nutritional value.

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