Health and nutrition
Healthy Body Weight for Cancer Prevention
Dr. George Wang, Associate Professor of Human Nutrition
The obesity and overweight rates in adults and youths have grown during the past 20 years in the United States. High prevalence of overweight and obesity can be explained by a lifestyle characterized with over-consumption of energy combined with low physical activity. There is ample evidence that healthy body weight due to decreasing calorie intake and increasing physical activity reduces cancer risk. Therefore, it would be advisable for many individuals to maintain weight within the normal range to reduce their risk of cancer.
This lecture will provide new information regarding weight control and cancer prevention from a nutritional perspective. Furthermore, current research works in the lecturer’s laboratory will be provided to understand the potential mechanisms by which weight control may prevent cancer in animal models. Understanding the relationship between body weight and cancer risk may help to keep healthy behavior for cancer prevention.
Is Obesity a Disease?
Dr. David C. Poole, Professor of Kinesiology, Anatomy, and Physiology
This presentation explores the scientific evidence for consideration of obesity as a disease. Recent scientific and medical evidence is presented, and the societal view of overweight/obese individuals is integrated into the narrative. Audience views are solicited and discussed.
Is the Purple-Fleshed Sweet Potato Good for Cancer Prevention?
Dr. George Wang, Associate Professor of Human Nutrition
Purple is not only the K-State Wildcats' color, but it also provides some healthy benefits when present in food, like in a purple-fleshed sweet potato. We recently selected a purple-fleshed sweet potato grown in Kansas to study its health effects. The natural purple pigment of the purple-fleshed sweet potato is contributed by a group of plant chemicals named anthocyanins. In this lecture, we will present our recent studies of anthocyanin-enriched purple-fleshed sweet potatoes for cancer prevention by using both in vitro cell culture and in vivo animal models.
The Science of Exercise: Why We are Meant to Move
Dr. Craig A. Harms, Associate Professor of Kinesiology
Our society is becoming increasingly sedentary. As a result, physical inactivity has lead to an alarming increase in sedentary-related diseases. This lecture focuses on the physiologic perspective of why our bodies are meant to move and what happens to our bodies when they become more sedentary.
Understanding the Role of the Built Environment in Successful Aging
Dr. Migette L. Kaup, Associate Professor of Apparel, Textiles, and Interior Design
In the field of long-term care and housing for seniors, we are often in search of new ideas that will help improve our environments, our services, and our lives. Sometimes, however, to be effective in our planning we need to return to the fundamentals of what it means to be connected to the world around us. Healthy and successful aging focuses on "abilities" of elders rather than their disabilities. This presentation will review and discuss ideas, options, and strategies for rethinking how people of different abilities connect with and control their own environments when the aging body changes.
Why Do We Need to Eat More Fruits and Vegetables?
Dr. George Wang
Consumption of fruits and vegetables is inversely correlated with the risk of several chronic diseases including cancer. In addition to fibers, plant chemicals present in fruits and vegetables appear to be responsible for various health benefits through a variety of mechanismas. This seminar will focus on plant chemicals including definition, chemical structure, biosynthesis pathway, and potential mechanisms for healthy benefits. Furthermore, American legal requirements for active plant chemicals on market as dietary supplements will be discussed.