Pasadena Gets Personal for Public Health Week

This National Public Health Week, the Pasadena Public Health Department is ditching the one-size-fits-all approach to wellness. Instead, they’re urging residents to find their own path to a healthy lifestyle.

The Department, a champion of preventative health since 1998,  is promoting a menu of personalized tips to fight chronic disease and obesity.  This shift towards individual well-being reflects a growing understanding that health journeys aren’t created equal.

Under the leadership of Dipa Shah-Patel, the Pasadena Public Health Department’s Nutrition & Physical Activity Program has been instrumental in providing opportunities for nutrition education classes and physical activities. Shah-Patel, who brings over two decades of experience in implementing nutrition programs, oversees an annual program budget of $25 million.

The program works hand-in-hand with the Northwest Pasadena Community to eliminate obstacles to healthy food access, enhance opportunities for physical activity, engage the community in health initiative planning, and foster environments that champion health equity, food access, healthy eating, and active living.

The Pasadena Public Health Department has personalized its healthy lifestyle recommendations as follows:

• Embrace a Rainbow Diet: Strive to fill half your plate with a diverse array of vegetables and fruits. This not only adds color and variety to your meals but also ensures a broad spectrum of nutrients.
• Get Moving: Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. Whether it’s a brisk walk, a yoga session, or a bike ride, every bit counts.
• Hydrate: Make water your go-to beverage. It’s essential for your body’s vital functions and helps maintain your energy levels.
• Cut Back on Sugars: Be mindful of added sugars in your diet. Opt for natural sweetness from fruits and other whole foods.
• Discover New Tastes: Don’t be afraid to try new foods and flavors. Variety is the spice of life and can make healthy eating more enjoyable.

The Nutrition & Physical Activity Program extends its services to qualified organizations and partners in Northwest Pasadena by offering free nutrition classes and workshops. These sessions cover a range of topics from nutrition basics, physical activity, cooking skills, healthy habit formation, food sustainability to gardening.

Physical activity promotion is woven into most nutrition education classes and workshop series. The program offers a variety of physical activity curricula, including Power Up in 10! and Shape of Yoga, to inspire exercise and healthy habits.

For more information on the nutrition and physical activity services and resources offered by the City of Pasadena Public Health Department, visit City of Pasadena Public Health Department – Nutrition and Physical Activity Program at http://bit.ly/PPHD-NPA.