Nutritional Health Month (2008)

Nutritional Health Month

WHEREAS,  Virginia is committed to helping citizens of the Commonwealth live long, productive, healthy lives; and

WHEREAS,  food is the substance by which life is sustained; and

WHEREAS,  it is important to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits; and

WHEREAS,  the type, quality, and amount of food that individuals consume each day plays a vital role in their overall health; and

WHEREAS,  only 12% of Americans eat a healthy diet consistent with federal nutrition recommendations. The typical American diet is high in saturated and trans fat, salt, and refined sugars and too low in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, calcium, and fiber; and

WHEREAS,  unhealthy eating and physical inactivity cause 1/3 of premature deaths; and
           
WHEREAS,  there is a need for continuing nutrition education and a wide-scale effort to
promote good eating practices; and

WHEREAS,  Registered Dietitians are food and nutrition experts, translating the science of nutri­tion into practical solutions for healthy living. The expertise, training and credentials of a registered dietitian are vital for promoting positive lifestyle choices;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Timothy M. Kaine, do hereby recognize March 2008 as NUTRITIONAL HEALTH MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA and recognize March 10, 2008 as the first REGISTERED DIETITIAN DAY, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.