End of Semester Got You Fried? Come to StressBusters!

StressBusters is Back!

Thursday, May 6th
12:30-2:00pm
Atrium Outdoor Plaza

Bouncy Castle, free popcorn, chair massage, games, and more! Join in the fun!

Walk the Bridge Weather? 65 and sunny!

Lace On Your Sneakers and Get Ready to Walk

This Thursday, April 29th

1-2:30pm.

Gifts for every walker.

Join us! We launch from the Atrium.

See you there!

Turning 21? Celebrate Safely

Its no secret that many people consider the 21st birthday as an open invitation to binge drinking. However, even among students who plan to binge drink (more than five drinks ina hour, and more than eight drinks in a single drinking episode) they often end up drinking a lot more than they planned. According to the Center for Substance Abuse Research at University of Maryland, College Park, two thirds of college students drank more than anticipated on their 21st birthday--from a planned average number of 7 drinks to 12 actually consumed.

As researchers note, "More than half (55%) of celebrants in this study reported drinking free shots in bars. In addition, students who drank more than anticipated were more likely to engage in 21stbirthday drinking traditions (e.g., drinking 21 shots, drinking at midnight) and to have more influential peers present that encouraged drinking. Overall, 61% of all those who drank to celebrate had one or more influential peers present and 60% engaged in one or more 21st birthday drinking traditions."

Extreme drinking at this level is an invitation to serious alcohol poisoning, and possibly even death.

What are some suggestions for safe birthday drinking ?
First, consider skipping the bar routine altogether. Say no to free shots of cheap liquor and instead indulge in a few very special drinks or cocktails at home or at a restaurant. Make your celebration drinks a part of a meal--rather than drinking simply for the sake of drinking.

Set your drink limit ahead of time and ask a friend to stay sober and keep count. Once you reach your drink limit, switch to non-alcoholic beverages.

Happy Birthday--be safe and have FUN!

Free Nicotine Gum and Patches

Get Free Help to Quit Smoing!

The Health Department's annual 16-day Nicotine Patch and Gum Giveaway Program to help New Yorkers quit smoking is now underway. Smokers who want help quitting can apply to get patches or gum at no cost by calling 311 or completing online application at nyc.gov/nycquits. This year's giveaway will run from March 10 through March 25. Nicotine Patch and Gum Program http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/smoke/smoke-nrtpatch.shtml

Love Movies But Go Easy on the Popcorn

With the latest Oscar's season behind us, the reckoning moment is here: watching all those amazing movies in the past three months, elbow-deep in a popcorn tub, can really pack on the pounds.

Consider this!

One large tub of buttered popcorn and full-sugar soda contains as many calories as an adult should consume in a single day. And that is BEFORE you get your free refill.

Movie-watching make-over tip:

1. Skip snacks at the movies--save money, calories, and time standing in line. Treat yourself to a small treat afterwards and talk over the movie with friends.

2. Pack small treats from home--a bag of pretzls for that salty, crunchy urge, or bite-sized fresh fruit.

3. Order the small bag of popcorn, eat it slowly and share with friends.

4. Walk or ride your bike to and from the movies--build a bit of exercise into your movie-watching habits.

See you at the movies!

March is National Nutrition Month

Building a Healthy Diet
Nutrition advice seems to be everywhere these days. It's hard to turn on the TV, open a magazine or even log on to the Internet without finding diet suggestions. Celebrities with milk mustaches tell you what to drink, nutritionists debate what portion of your diet should come from carbohydrates and public health officials sound alarms about America's growing obesity epidemic. Given the overwhelming—and often conflicting—amount of information out there, it's no wonder that many Americans are confused about nutrition. So whose advice should you take?

Would you be surprised if the answer is Uncle Sam's?
That's right, the U.S. government. Every five years, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture review the most recent scientific literature on nutrition and simplify the information into a document called the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This information can be found online at http://www.health.gov/DietaryGuidelines/.
These guidelines are aimed at Americans who want to prevent chronic diseases associated with a poor diet and inactivity, and the guidelines are general enough to apply to people with a variety of preferences and lifestyles. To help you remember the recommendations, here are the ABCs on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans:

Aim for fitness:
Aim for a healthy weight
Be physically active each day

Build a healthy base:
Let the USDA's Food Guide Pyramid guide your choices
Choose a variety of grains daily, especially whole grains
Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables daily
Keep food safe to eat

Choose sensibly:
Choose a diet that's low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat
Choose beverages and foods to moderate your intake of sugars
Choose and prepare foods with less salt
If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation

Be aware of what you are eating when away from home.
Pay special attention to what you eat when you're away from home. Snacks and meals at work, in restaurants or when socializing with friends make up a significant portion of daily caloric intake. Choose these foods wisely. Try to eat fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods. When dining out, order fish, chicken, or lean meat and ask that it be grilled, rather than fried.

Take your time with weight loss.
If you need to lose weight, do it gradually. Losing a half pound to two pounds a week is a safe and realistic goal. Forget about miracle diets and adopt healthy eating habits and exercise regularly. It may seem to take forever to reach your target weight, but research shows that people who lose weight steadily are most likely to keep the weight off and then maintain a healthy weight.

Stay active.
For at least 30 minutes most days of the week, be physically active. Walking, bicycling, golfing, dancing or taking exercise classes are just some of the ways to be active for at least a half hour.
Or you can break up your exercise time. Walk instead of drive. Take the stairs. Rake leaves. Clean the house. Play with your children. Push a stroller. Walk the dog. It will add up.

Reduce your salt intake.
Choose fresh, frozen or canned vegetables without salt added or with low-salt content. Look for labels that say "low-sodium." Leave the salt shaker in a cupboard, not on the dinner table. Go easy on condiments such as soy, ketchup and mustard, which can add a significant amount of salt to your food.

Resources
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Information Center offers information at http://fnic.nal.usda.gov
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion provides tips on Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Food Guide Pyramid, as well as meal planning on a budget, at http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/
The American Dietetic Association offers nutrition resources, and can help you locate a registered dietitian in your area, at http://www.eatright.org
Chivari, T. (2010, Reviewed). Building a healthy diet. Raleigh, NC: Workplace Benefits.

News for New Parent Students: Skip the baby walker!

When searching for something to distract or occupy your new baby while you study, its tempting to reach for the baby walker. Recent research, however, has demonstrated that baby walkers are not only dangerous, but also delay normal mental and motor-skill development. Read the New York Times discussion for more information here.

Need to corral or distract baby? Try stationary activity centers that add mental stimulation without developmental delays. you can also sit your baby in a high chair and provide toys in the tray, or consider using a play pen or play yard.

Honor Your History & Protect Your Health

National Condom Awareness Day!

Welcome Back! New Fitness Classes for 2010

Welcome Back! As you gear up for spring semester, don't forget to schedule time for physical fitness into your week.

This semester, we are offering two new classes by long-time favorite instructors, Athallia and Fatima. Athallia is offering Zumba, a fun and fast-paced latin dance-inspired workout class on Mondays and Fatima will be offering West-African Dance, a low-impact cardio workout on Tuesdays.

Check it out along with the rest of your favorite classes! Classes start Thursday, February 4th. All classes are free and located in the Klitgord B-15, unless otherwise indicated.

MONDAY
4 P.M.—5 P.M. ZUMBA

TUESDAY
12 P.M. – 2 P.M. CHAIR MASSAGE (VOORHEES BLG – 2nd Fl Lounge)
1 P.M. – 2 P.M. BOOT CAMP FOR ABS
2 P.M. – 3 P.M. PILATES
4 P.M. – 5 P.M. HIP HOP DANCE
5 P.M. –6 P.M. West African Dance

WEDNESDAY
3:30 P.M. – 5:30 P.M. MARTIAL ARTS: BEGINNER
4:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. CHAIR MASSAGE (ATRIUM 1ST FL)

THURSDAY
12 P.M. – 2 P.M. CHAIR MASSAGE (ATRIUM 1ST FL)
1 P.M. – 3 P.M. PERSONAL TRAINING (WEIGHT RM.)
4 P.M. – 5 P.M. BELLY DANCING
5:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. CARDIO FITNESS MAXX

FRIDAY
2 P.M. – 4 P.M. MARTIAL ARTS: ADVANCED
4 P.M. – 5 P.M. HIP HOP DANCE
5PM—6PM Kick-boxing

Its National Influenza Vaccination Week!

Still haven't received your seasonal influenza and H1N1 vaccination? During National Influenza Vaccination Week, take time to call 311 or your primary health care provider to schedule your vaccination--nearly all of the vaccine supply has now been distributed to providers, and previous concerns about shortage no longer apply.

Protect yourself and your loved ones--especially young children, those who have chronic health conditions, and the elderly.

Read President Barack Obama's proclamation for National Influenza Vaccination Week

Also--check out City Tech's home page for important information on H1N1 and seasonal flu prevention.

H1N1 Vaccination Availability Expanded

Breaking news from the NYC Department of Health!

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Health Department Will Expand Access to H1N1 Vaccine in Final Round of Free Weekend ClinicsAny New Yorker 4 or older can get immunized against novel H1N1 flu this weekend

December 10, 2009 – As New York City heads into its final weekend of free vaccine clinics for H1N1 influenza, the Health Department is lifting most of the remaining restrictions on eligibility, effective Saturday. This weekend’s five vaccine centers – one in each borough – will admit any New Yorker who is at least 4 years old, including any healthy adult who would like to be vaccinated.

The Health Department will continue to target those most in need of H1N1 vaccination. The priority groups include pregnant women, anyone between 6 months and 24 years old, and adults with chronic health conditions that increase the risk of severe illness or complications. Health care workers and people in close contact with infants are also on the priority list, because of the risk they pose to others when infected themselves. But because H1N1 vaccine is now increasingly available to people in these groups, the agency is advising health care providers to reach beyond previously designated priority groups and vaccinate anyone over 6 months of age who wants or needs protection from H1N1 influenza.

“If you belong to a priority group and haven’t yet been vaccinated, please take advantage of this opportunity,” said Dr. Thomas Farley, New York City Health Commissioner. “If you’re not in a priority group but want to protect yourself from the flu, this weekend’s clinics are for you too. The H1N1 virus is still spreading in New York City, and vaccination is the surest way to prevent it. So don’t get sick – get immunized.” The Health Department particularly urges pregnant women to receive H1N1 vaccine because of their increased risk of hospitalization and death if they get the flu.

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To locate the H1N1 flu vaccination clinic closest to you, please dial 311

Free H1N1 Clinics in December

Two Weekend Clinics for H1N1 Vaccination in All Boroughs

Over the next two weekends - December 5th and 6th, and December 12th and 13th - the New York City Department of Health will conduct temporary clinics in all five boroughs to provide free vaccination against H1N1 influenza. These weekend clinics cannot vaccinate children under 4 but are open to anyone else in the CDC's priority groups for H1N1 vaccination. The eligible groups (including health care workers) are listed below, along with dates and locations for all weekend clinics. The Health Department's weekend vaccination clinics will operate from 9am to 6 pm on Saturdays, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sundays. They are open to:

* Pregnant women * Anyone 4 through 24 years old (these clinics cannot vaccinate children under 4)

* People 25 through 64 with health conditions that increase the risk of complications from influenza. These include asthma, diabetes, chronic heart and lung conditions, kidney failure, or a weakened immune system.

* Anyone who lives with or cares for children less than 6 months old

* Health care workers who have direct contact with patients and cannot receive vaccine through their employers

CLINIC LOCATIONS:DECEMBER 5th - 6th

Brooklyn: George Wingate Educational Campus600 Kingston Avenue

Bronx: Christopher Columbus High School925 Astor Avenue

Manhattan: NYC Lab Middle School for Collaborative Studies333 West 17th Street

Queens: I.S. 210 Elizabeth Blackwell93-11 101st Avenue

Staten Island: P.S. 58 Space Shuttle Columbia School77 Marsh Avenue

CLINIC LOCATIONS:DECEMBER 12th - 13th

Brooklyn: P.S. 186 Dr. Irving Gladstone7601 19th Avenue

Bronx: I.S. 127 Castle Hill1560 Purdy Street

ManhattanGeorge Washington High School549 Audubon Avenue

Queens: I.S. 25 Adrien Block34-65 192nd Street

Staten Island: I.S. 24 Myra Barnes225 Cleveland Avenue

Giving May Be Good for your Health!

We know what you're thinking--how could the holiday season possibly be good for your health. The candy and cookies are everywhere, people drink more than usual, eat more often and heaver meals, and exercise less in the month of December. What is possibly healthy about the holiday season?

Answer: Giving gifts!

Check out the recent New York Times article discusses the connection between acts of generosity--or gift-giving--and health.

Here at City Tech you may give in a number of ways: drop off a can of food in one of the many boxes located about campus (including the Student Wellness Center!) or donate a gently used coat at box in front of the cafeteria.

Give of your time to friends, partners or spouses, children. Give a spontaneous kind gesture to a stranger. Try offering your subway seat!

Interested in volunteering? NY Cares matches volunteer interests with different organizations across the five boroughs.

Flu Vaccine Shortage Explained

Wondering why you can't seem to find a seasonal or H1N1 flu vaccine anywhere? Doug McNeil's recent article in the New York Times explains why New York City residents are facing a severe flu vacicne shortage this season.

Prevention is your best defense!
Follow the common sense precautions listed below to reduce your chance of being infected with either seasonal flu or H1N1 flu this season.

• Always cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze with a tissue, or cough into shoulder or sleeve. Do not cough or sneeze into bare hands. Promptly throw tissue in trash.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based cleaners, especially after you cough or sneeze.

• Avoid close contact with sick people.

Stay well!

5 Healthy Eating Tips from our Cafeteria

Trying to make healthier eating decisions at home and school? City Tech's new cafeteria vendor offers a number of surprisingly healthy options. Here's our top 5 tips for eating healthy on campus:

1. Steer clear of the fried side. Don't even bother wandering over to the left hand side of cafeteria hot line: the offering consist almost entirely of fried fast food-style options, all high in fat and sodium and low on nutrients.

2. Make your own salad from the salad bar. Heap your plate with vegetables and beans, go easy on the cheese, and try using half the normal amount of dressing you usually use. Craving some meat? Ask for a sliced grilled chicken breast from the sandwich station next to it.

3. Try the daily special with two vegetables. No, your Mom didn't make it, but someone actually cooked these meals. Ask for two vegetable sides instead of a starchy potato, pasta, noodle, or rice side and you've made a much better choice. Or, go for the broth, nt

4. When building a sandwich, skip the mayo and cheese. Yes, mayonnaise is delicious, but it also can double the total fat and calorie count of your sandwich. Go for mustard instead, and ask for whole grain breads.

5. When all else fails, eat cereal with skim milk. No, not the fruit loops or frosted corn flakes. The cafeteria now offers whole grain, low sugar options that will help you feel full and avoid sugar crashes later in the day. Add a banana to that choice for even more nutritional impact.

Check out this website for more ideas on how you can make simple, healthier swaps in your food choices

More immunization information

New York City Department of Health operates free immunization clinics in all five boroughs and provides child immunizations required for school attendance (PDF).

They also provide other vaccines for adults, including: Hepatitis B, Td, Tdap, MMR, and pneumococcal vaccines.
Influenza vaccine (seasonal only) is available through June 30th, 2010. HPV vaccine is available to girls and women 9 through 26 years of age and meningococcal vaccine for 11 through 18 year olds. Hepatitis A vaccine is available for high-risk adults.

The immunization clinics are open for patient registration from 8:30 to 2:30. No appointment is necessary; persons will be seen on a first come first served basis. Please arrive early. Due to heavy volume during flu season, clinics may need to close registration early if numbers exceed the capacity of the clinic.

2009 Winter/Spring Schedule, locations, and directions
For additional information about clinic services, and to confirm the days and hours of operation, please call 311.

H1N1 Vaccine Information

The H1N1 Flu Vaccine: What You Should Know

As a part of New York City College of Technology’s on-going effort to keep you informed with the latest information regarding H1N1, we have provided below new information from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New York City Department of Health (DOH) regarding the H1N1 flu vaccine.

The H1N1 flu vaccine is a separate vaccine from the seasonal flu vaccine and is available in two different forms: the “flu shot” and the nasal mist. Both forms of vaccine are effective in preventing H1N1, but the nasal mist is approved for healthy people ages 2 to 49 that are not pregnant. The flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. Speak with your healthcare provider to determine which vaccine is best for you.

According to the CDC, the U.S. government has purchased over 250 million doses of H1N1 vaccine, so everyone who wishes to receive a dose will have an opportunity to do so. Initially, however, until enough vaccine has been manufactured and distributed, vaccination efforts will focus first on people in five target groups who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 influenza or related complications, are likely to come in contact with influenza viruses as part of their occupation and could transmit influenza viruses to others in medical care settings, or are close contacts of infants younger than 6 months (who are too young to be vaccinated). The five target groups are:

· pregnant women,
· people who live with or provide care for infants younger than 6 months (e.g., parents, siblings, and day care providers),
· health care and emergency medical services personnel,
· people 6 months through 24 years of age, and,
· people 25 years through 64 years of age who have certain medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.

After demand in these high risk groups has been met, vaccinations will proceed with everyone ages 25-64, and then those who are 65 years or older.

You may learn more information about the H1N1 vaccine at the following websites:
http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccine_keyfacts.htm

Where to get vaccinated for H1N1:
For additional information or to find out where you can get either the seasonal flu shot or H1N1 flu shot, call the toll-free NYC Department of Health's Flu Vaccination Information Line at 311. You may also search for flu clinic convenient to you and find more information on H1N1 in New York City on the flu website.
For more information on preventing the flu, check out this podcast from the CDC.

The Student Wellness Center is available to answer questions about H1N1and any other health-related matters. The Center can be reached at (718) 260-5910 and is located in Pearl 104. We will post more information as it becomes available.
Please continue to check the City Tech website for updated information.

Walk the Bridge is Coming!

Sickle Cell Anemia--What You Should Know

September is Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Month

Take a few minutes to learn more about this condition that affects so many Americans.

(information courtesy of Mayo Clinic website)

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited form of anemia — a condition in which there aren't enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen throughout your body. Normally, your red blood cells are flexible and round, moving easily through your blood vessels. In sickle cell anemia, the red blood cells become rigid, sticky and are shaped like sickles or crescent moons. These irregularly shaped cells can get stuck in small blood vessels, which can slow or block blood flow and oxygen to parts of the body.

Sickle cell anemia is caused by a mutation in the gene that tells your body to make hemoglobin — the red, iron-rich compound that gives blood its red color. Hemoglobin is a component of every red blood cell. It allows red blood cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body, and to carry carbon dioxide waste from throughout your body to your lungs so that it can be exhaled. Under normal circumstances, your body makes healthy hemoglobin known as hemoglobin A. People with sickle cell anemia make hemoglobin S — the S stands for sickle.
The sickle cell gene is passed from generation to generation in a pattern of inheritance called autosomal recessive inheritance. This means that both the mother and the father must pass on the defective form of the gene for a child to be affected.

People with sickle cell trait have one normal hemoglobin gene and one defective form of the gene. So their bodies make both normal hemoglobin and sickle cell hemoglobin. Their blood may contain some sickle cells, but they generally don't experience symptoms. However, they are carriers of the disease, which means they can pass the defective gene on to their children.
The risk of inheriting sickle cell anemia comes down to genetics. For a baby to be born with sickle cell anemia, both parents must carry a sickle cell gene. The gene is particularly common among people with African, Spanish, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Indian ancestry. In the United States, it most commonly affects blacks and Hispanics. 1 in 12 African Americans, and 1 in 16 Hispanic carry the sickle cell trait.

Taking steps to stay healthy is critical for anyone with sickle cell anemia. Eating well, getting adequate rest and protecting yourself from infections are good ways to maintain your health and prevent crises. Infants and children with sickle cell disease need to receive regular childhood vaccinations. Children and adults with sickle cell anemia also should have a yearly flu shot and be immunized against pneumonia.

If you or your child has sickle cell anemia, follow these suggestions to help stay healthy:
§ Take folic acid supplements daily, and eat a balanced diet. Bone marrow needs folic acid and other vitamins to make new red blood cells.
§ Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps keep your blood diluted, which reduces the chance that sickle cells will form.
§ Avoid temperature extremes. Exposure to extreme heat or cold can trigger the formation of sickle cells.
§ Reduce stress. A sickle crisis can occur as a result of stress.
§ Exercise regularly, but don't overdo it. Talk with your doctor about how much exercise is right for you.
§ Use over-the-counter medications with caution. Some medications, such as the decongestant pseudoephedrine, can constrict your blood vessels and make it harder for the sickle cells to move through freely.
§ Fly on airplanes with pressurized cabins. Unpressurized aircraft cabins may not provide enough oxygen. Low oxygen levels can trigger a sickle crisis. Additionally, be sure to drink extra water when traveling by air, as pressurized cabins can be dehydrating.
§ Avoid high-altitude areas. Traveling to a high-altitude area may also trigger a crisis because of lower oxygen levels

For more information, check out these organizations:

Sickle Cell Disease Association of America

Sickle Cell Information Center

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

National Anemia Action Council