Save The Date [2020]

March 2020

Bisexual Health Awareness Month

Bisexual Health Awareness Month was first observed in 2014, and it was created to inform people about the issues that bisexual people go through because of their sexuality. To acknowledge this month, you can use #BiHealthMonth on social media. People who identify as bisexual+ (bi, pan, fluid, queer, etc) have been found to suffer from eating disorders, mental health disorders more often than gay or straight individuals. They also have higher rates of heavy alcohol use, smoking, and alcohol-related problems. There is also evidence that bisexuals suffer from depression and self-destructive behavior more often. It can often be very difficult for bi+ people to find medical help due to biphobia. This month also has another purpose: to spread awareness about discrimination against bisexuals, biphobia, and erasure of their identity. It is important to make sure that nobody gets rejected medical help just because of their sexuality. And that doesn't just apply to bi+ people, but to all of the LGBTQ+ community.    

Bisexual Health Month Related Resources:

https://sdpride.org/bisexual-health-awareness-month/
https://bihealthmonth.org/
https://www.glaad.org/tags/bisexual-health-awareness-month
https://www.thetaskforce.org/bisexual-health-awareness-month-draws-attention-to-communitys-urgent-health-needs/
https://www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-marks-bisexual-health-awareness-month-2018
http://1community.org.uk/did-you-know-its-bisexual-health-awareness-month/
http://biresource.org/bisexual-health-awareness-month-2017/

 Wattpad clubs that might be able to help you with this: bisexualcommunity, We_Are_LGBT and our_generation_wp.

National Nutrition Month (US)

National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, they invite everyone to focus on the importance of making informed food choices, developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

The Academy has set weekly goals for the whole month of March, and has lots of nutritional tips which you can find on their website linked below!

Week 1:

- Eat a variety of nutritious foods every day.
- Include foods from all food groups.
- Hydrate (drink water).
- Learn how to read nutrition labels.
- Practice portion control.
- Take the time to enjoy your food.

Week 2:

- Plan your meals each week.
- Use a grocery list to shop for healthy foods and stick to your list.
- Be menu savvy when eating out.
- Choose healthy recipes to make during the week.
- Eat healthy at school and work.

Week 3:

- Learn skills to make healthy meals.
- Keep healthy fresh ingredients on hand.
- Practice proper food safety.
- Share meals or eat as a family to reduce waste and involve others.
- Reduce food waste.
- Try new foods and flavors.

Week 4:

- Consult a registered dietician nutritionist (RDN).
- Ask your doctor for a referral.
- Ask for personalized advice from your RDN to reach your health goals.
- Thrive for the transformative power of food and nutrition!

Why is proper nutrition important?

Your food choices each day affect your health — how you feel today, tomorrow, and in the future.

Good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Combined with physical activity, your diet can help you to reach and maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases (like heart disease and cancer), and promote your overall health.

The Impact of Nutrition on Your Health

Unhealthy eating habits have contributed to the obesity epidemic in the United States: about one-third of U.S. adults (33.8%) are obese and approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese. Even for people at a healthy weight, a poor diet is associated with major health risks that can cause illness and even death. These include heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain types of cancer. By making smart food choices, you can help protect yourself from these health problems.

The risk factors for adult chronic diseases, like hypertension and type 2 diabetes, are increasingly seen in younger ages, often a result of unhealthy eating habits and increased weight gain. Dietary habits established in childhood often carry into adulthood, so teaching children how to eat healthy at a young age will help them stay healthy throughout their life.

The link between good nutrition and healthy weight reduced chronic disease risk, and overall health is too important to ignore. By taking steps to eat healthily, you'll be on your way to getting the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy, active, and strong. As with physical activity, making small changes in your diet can go a long way, and it's easier than you think!

National Nutrition Month Related Resources:

https://www.eatright.org/food/resources/national-nutrition-month https://www.hhs.gov/fitness/eat-healthy/importance-of-good-nutrition/index.html