Prevent Colon Cancer: Get Screened Today!
March is colorectal cancer awareness month. Colorectal cancer affects men and women. Lower your risk for colorectal cancer by getting screened today. The American Cancer Society recommends that both men and women begin testing for colon cancer at the age of 50. It is important to speak with your healthcare provider about which colon cancer test is right for you. Testing may include a yearly home stool kit, a sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or a colonoscopy every 10 years. If you or someone you know does not have health insurance or has limited coverage, please call the Onondaga County Cancer Services Program Partnership at 435-3653 to see about FREE cancer screenings for men and women. Remember, early detection saves lives, so get screened.

National Nutrition Month
During National Nutrition Month the Onondaga County Health Department encourages everyone to develop a healthy lifestyle that includes eating healthy and exercising every day. You can control your body weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases and improve your well being by choosing healthy foods and exercising for sixty minutes each day. All foods can fit into a healthy diet when you eat foods in moderation in the correct portion sizes. Use the food guide pyramid to help you balance your diet.
• Eat five cups of fresh fruits and vegetables and drink two to three glasses of low-fat or fat-free milk each day
• Vary your vegetables by eating more dark green veggies like broccoli, spinach and other dark leafy greens.
• Focus on eating a variety of fruits. Choose fresh, frozen, canned or dried fruit.
• When you choose calcium-rich dairy products go with the low fat or fat free milk, yogurt and cheese.
For more information and resources about national nutrition month visit the American Dietetic Association website at www.eatright.org. For more healthy tips, call the Eat Well Play Hard program at 435-3280. 

School Breakfast Week
March 8-12 is National School Breakfast Week. Did you know that children who eat a nutritious breakfast can help decrease their risk of obesity? The breakfasts served as part of the school breakfast program are required to meet nutrition guidelines. A school breakfast includes: 
• Milk
• Fruit or vegetable or 100% juice
• Whole grains/breads and/or a meat/meat alternate 

All children can participate in the school breakfast program when offered at school. Eating breakfast at school is a great way to start the day and help get your brain and your body working at its best. In addition, research has shown that children who eat breakfast at school:
• Achieve higher scores on standardized tests
• Make fewer trips to the nurse and principal's offices
• Get better grades overall.
Start your day out healthy, enjoy your school breakfast program today! For more healthy tips, call the Eat Well Play Hard program at 435-3280.

Keep Your Children Safe from Poisons
National Poison Prevention Week is March 14-20. Each year, more than 1.2 million children age five an under are accidentally poisoned. There are many items in your home that can cause poisoning, including medicines, cosmetics, cleaning substances, plants, toys, pesticides, art supplies, and alcohol. These products need to be stored out of children’s reach. There are many products on the market that can be used to lock your cabinets and drawers. For more information about keeping your kids safe from poisons, please visit www.usa.safekids.org/poison/.

Turnoff Week 2010
Monday, April 19 to Sunday, April 25 is Turnoff week and the Onondaga County Health Department reminds you to turn off the TV and turn on the fun! Reducing TV time and other “screen time” activities is a great way to improve the health of you and your family. Cut back on screen time so you can play outside, take a walk, or pick up a new sport. The time you and your family might normally spend sitting in front of the television or computer can be used to burn calories and get fit! You can fill your new free time with other fun activities like playing board games as a family, visiting the zoo, trying a new recipe, or reading a good book. Join thousands of parents, teachers, pediatricians and other families by celebrating Turnoff Week starting Monday, April 19th. For more information and resources about Turnoff Week visit www.screentime.org. For more healthy tips, call the Eat Well Play Hard program at 435-3280.