CentraState - Healthy Directions

Stopping the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating E ating habits are formed in childhood based largely on the choices that parents make and the behaviors they model. In the Howell home of 17-year-old Dilan Alpay, those choices and behaviors weren’t particularly healthy, his mother admits. Dilan Alpay says visiting a dietitian was lifechanging. “My husband and I were very overweight, and as a result, our children adopted our poor eating habits and developed significant weight issues,” says Linda Alpay. But in 2009, when Dilan was 15 years old, Linda and her husband Nidai decided to undergo bariatric surgery. “We knew our own lifestyles would dramatically change after surgery, and we didn’t want to leave Dilan behind.” To help Dilan join them on a path to better health, Linda contacted CentraState Medical Center’s Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center (HAC) regarding nutrition and weight management counseling services. She previously had sought counseling for Dilan’s older sister and was delighted with the results. Dilan was paired with HAC registered dietitian Lori Skurbe, MPH, whom he met with every two to three weeks over the course of several months. “Dilan was motivated,” says Skurbe. “He worked hard, understood the lifestyle changes necessary for success, and had a very supportive family behind him.” ACHIEVING HEALTH Skurbe helped Dilan learn about healthy food choices, portion size, substitutions, managing hunger, eating without distractions, and how to feel comfortable and confident. “Visiting a dietitian changed my life in ways I didn’t think possible,” says Dilan. “I learned that healthy eating isn’t so much about consuming less—it’s about eating correctly and opening one’s palate to other types of healthy foods.” Since meeting with Skurbe, Dilan has lost and kept off about 70 pounds. He enjoys walking at the mall with friends and taking the family dog for strolls—activities he wasn’t able to do before without frequent breaks. “I feel great,” Dilan says. “Nutrition counseling was one of the most amazing things that’s ever happened to me, and I encourage others who are overweight or eating poorly to seek the help of a dietitian.” For more information about nutrition, weight management, and related classes for all age groups, call the HAC at (732) 308-0570 or visit www.centrastate.com/healthprograms. HD program highlights—july & august 2011 Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus • 901 West Main Street, Freehold 07728 For more information about these and other classes, screenings, special events, and more offered through the HAC, and to register, visit www.centrastate.com/healthprograms or call the HAC at (732) 308-0570, unless otherwise noted. Maternal Child Health Preschool Prep (4-week session) Cost: $60/month for one-day-a-week care, $112/month for two- days-a-week care, $156/month for three-days-a-week care. Story Time & More (4-week session) Cost: $40/month for one-day-a-week care and $75/month for two- days-a-week care. Student Health Awareness Center Babysitting Classes Cost: $40 www.centrastate.com Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center Boys Grow Up (boys ages 10–13) Cost: $18 Girls Grow Up (girls grades 4–6) Cost: $18 CentraState Investigation (CSI) Camp—One Week Grades 9 & 10— Grades 5–8— 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Fitness Center. Cost: $279/camper. Anatomy Academy Camp (Grades 5–8)—One Week 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Fitness Center. Cost: $279/camper. Summer Exploration (Grades 3 & 4)—One Week 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Fitness Center. Cost: $279/camper. CPR Training Center HeartSaver–CPR Cost: $50 HeartSaver–FirstAid Cost: $50 July/August 2011 11 W e d n e s d a y , T eu se ds ad ya ,y A, u J gu ul sy t 1 19 6,r ,ro om m T J u l y f f u A u 2 0 ,r f o m 7 t o 8 : 3 0 p . m . 7 7 t to o 8 8: :3 30 0 p p. . m . g m . J su ty 8 l J S a S t ra t t r dt a d ta e t ,e s s y, o y uo ru cr h c oh co iec —ie A s — J * D ic s o u n t p r ie c u g l uy s 7 t u a r e S a S t ra t t r dt a d ta e t ,e s s y, o y uo ru cr h c oh co iec —ie A a v — J , 4 8 ,, 5 o ,r o a i lb a l 1 r 1 8 e f o r r e g it s e r ig n u g m u l t il p e c h i lr d e n . u l y 2 5 – 2 9 A u g u s t 1 – 5 S a t u r d a y , J u l y 1 6 , f r o m 1 – u 1 1 – 2 1 5 9 a . m . t o 1 2 p . m . S l uy s 8 t u r o o 5 1 r 1 8 S ta u S t ru d a r ad ya ,y A, u J gu ul sy t 3 20 0, , f fr ro om m 1 10 0 a a. . m . t to o 2 2 p p. . m . m . m . a t u r d a y , A u g u s t 2 7 , f r o m 9 a . m . t o 1 2 p . m .

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