Last year, LaGrange-based Health Quest hosted one of the region”™s more curious events: a health fair for young women that tapped an apparently primal gene: the love of chocolate. It attracted 400.
It”™s back.
“Better Than Chocolate: A Girlfriend”™s Guide to a Healthy Life” begins at the Grandview in Poughkeepsie July 21 at 6 p.m.
Speakers will include:
”¢ Kelly O”™Toole, whose address is titled “Your BFF ”“ (best foot forward).” She is an acute-care physical therapist and Ph.D., volleyball player and runner. She will talk about reigning theories for walking and running, including footwear.
”¢ Dr. Sharagim Kemp, who will tackle the topic of unveiling the truth about vitamins and supplements ”“ how much, how often, for how long, common precautions and interactions as you cruise the vitamin aisle. Her address is titled, “Supplements, Miracle or Myth?”
”¢ Helen Rothberg, a business consultant, author and professor of strategic management at the Marist School of Management. Rothberg worked her way through school as a waitress and bartender and her topic ”“ “A Bartender”™s Guide to Leadership” ”“ was gleaned from those experiences. Common leadership qualities and developing “core essentials” will be explored.
Barbara Kram, Health Quest”™s corporate director of marketing, offered insights into the cocoa-themed event:
The event targets a health demographic we don”™t hear much about ”“ young women. Is this a group in need of greater health knowledge or do you find the attendees are already savvy and are looking to up their existing body of knowledge?
“We created this event because we know that young women think they may be immune to medical challenges but the reality is, it is important to start thinking about your health when you are young. Even issues such as skin cancer, pre-pregnancy health issues and genetics are important to understand, especially when you are healthy.”
What do you see as the biggest health challenge facing this group?
“There are so many health problems that can be prevented with just a little bit of knowledge; we see it more of an educational opportunity than anything.”
What is the greatest health asset this group brings to the table? What makes them different from previous generations?
“Young women today do know how to take care of themselves. They are more interested in physical fitness; they smoke less than the previous generation; and probably are more careful when it comes other potentially risky behavior. They are not afraid to ask questions and they come to an educational forum like this with a lot of them.”
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Health costs are high. Is there any way an individual can mold her own lifestyle toward health and actually see financial results for her efforts?
“I think an investment in self-education ”“ knowing your genetics and personal risk factors and, of course, taking care of your whole self, body and mind ”“ will go a long way toward a healthy as well as fiscally fit life.”
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Is chocolate good for you?Â
“In moderation, absolutely!”
