MONEY MATTERS WITH SHEILA -- SODA TAX?

Last week health editor Janice Kerr gave us tips for reducing our muffin tops. One suggestion she made was to cut out the sugar. We have a triple whammy hitting us in this country right now -- an obesity crisis, a health cost crisis, and an economic crisis. In some ways, the three are related. It’s been suggested we could help kill three birds with one stone by adding a penny an ounce tax on sugar sweetened beverages.

Recent medical studies out of Columbia University and the University of California have estimated that such a tax could prevent nearly 8,000 strokes, 26,000 premature deaths, and 100,000 cases of heart disease, results far less taxing on our bodies, our medical system, and our wallets -- in other words, that triple whammy could morph into a triple win. And all for a few pennies more each week.

Of course, there are those who say people would just turn to other high calorie beverages or drink beverages loaded with artificial sweeteners. The tax would increase the coffers in Washington and maybe offset some of the healthcare costs and help with the deficit, but it would do little to help the obesity problem.

Thanks, Sheila! What about you, readers? How do you weigh in (pun intended) on this issue? Good idea or not? Let’s hear from you. Post a comment to enter the drawing for a book from our guest author on Friday. -- AP

HEALTHY LIVING WITH JANICE - AMERICA'S FAT FUTURE

We all know that obesity is a major problem in America today. Reader Tony Shin sent the following graphic to share with our readers. 

HEALTHY LIVING WITH JANICE - WALK WHILE YOU TALK

Who has time to exercise? You do, says health editor Janice Kerr, and she’s here today to show you how. -- AP

We’ve become a nation of sofa spuds. Even when we’re not sitting in front of the TV, we’re sitting -- at work and in the car. We Americans sit an average of 54 hours a week. That’s 2-1/4 days of sitting out of every 7 days. Yikes! No wonder obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are higher than ever.

If we got on our feet and moved just an extra hour or two a day, we’d do wonders for our health. So…I can hear you all screaming about how you don’t have time. You most certainly do! And you won’t even have to give up something to achieve those extra hours of being active.

Every time you’re on the phone, walk while you talk. Just walk from room to room. Or walk in place if you’re on the phone at work. If you’re home and have stairs in your house, go up and down a flight or two for good measure. The more you talk, the more walking you’ll get in.

When you do hit the couch in the evening, get up during the commercials. Again, walk in place. Or better yet, jog in place. The average half hour show is only 22 minutes of programming; the average hour long show is about 43 minutes of program. The remaining minutes are filled with commercials. For every hour of television you watch, that’s 16 or 17 minutes of exercise.

Your body will thank you!

Once again, Janice has offered some great advice for staying healthy. How many of you readers will take up the challenge to move more each day? Let's hear from you. Post a comment to be entered in the drawing for a free book from our Book Club Friday author this week. -- AP

HEALTHY LIVING WITH JANICE--KNOW THE SIGNS OF A STROKE

Think strokes are something that only strike the elderly? Think again. Health editor Janice Kerr is back today with some startling statistic and an easy way to spot the symptoms of a stroke. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia. Recent statistics show that strokes are on the rise for people between the ages of 20 and 45. Over the past decade incidents of stroke in this age group have risen from 4.5% to 7.3%, most likely from increased rates of obesity and diabetes.

Time is of the essence when treating stroke victims because quick, timely treatment minimizes damage sustained from strokes. So it’s vital the stroke is recognized and treatment sought as soon as possible. For this reason, the National Stroke Association has developed a FAST trick to help identify symptoms.

Remember FAST: Face, Arms, Speech, Time.

FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Can he or she do it accurately? Are the words slurred?

TIME: If the person has ANY of these symptoms, call 911 or get the person to the hospital immediately.

Thanks so much, Janice! You may have saved a life today. Readers, what sorts of things do you look out for when it comes to your health and the health of your loved ones? Post a comment to be entered in this week's drawing for a book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP