LenaweeCounty
LenaweeCounty Extension
1040 South Winter Street, Suite 2020 Adrian, MI49221-3867 /

P: 517-264-5300 F: 517-264-5317

/ E-mail:

Web: msue.msu.edu/lenawee

January 2007

Betterbones for brighter futures
Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that is characterized by low bone mass and a breakdown in bone structure, often resulting in chronic pain and disability. These changes can permanently alter the way individuals live. Though bone loss is irreversible, one can still take steps to stop the disease from progressing.
It is estimated that more than 1.5 million Michigan residents over the age of 50 have osteoporosis or low bone mass. This means that one in threeresidents is affected by osteoporosis; one in two women and one in eight men will probably have an osteoporosis related fracture.
The personal and economic costs for osteoporosis are great. Estimates indicate that in 2005, Michigan residents had 40,000 osteoporosis-related fractures which cost more than $439 million dollars. By 2010, more than 50,000 people will suffer from fractures at acost of about $560 million.
The National Osteoporosis Foundation lists five steps that can help prevent osteoporosis:
  1. Take calcium and vitamin D
  2. Engage in regular weight-bearing exercise
  3. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol
  4. Talk to healthcare providers about bone health
  5. When appropriate, have bone density tests and take prescribed medication
In April 2006, a tri-county osteoporosis prevention program was conducted. Before the program, 17 percent of attendees indicated they knew a lot about osteoporosis compared to 48 percent after the program. After completing the program, an average of 71 percent of attendees [LP1]said they planned to make at least one of the five behavior changes to help prevent or manage osteoporosis.
In addition, more than 50 percent of participants planned to talk to their healthcare provider about / osteoporosis and the need for a bone mineral density test. More than 70 percent indicated they intended to consume three or more servings of calcium-rich foods, take calcium supplements and increase physical activity every day.
Another survey taken three months later to see how well participants followed through with their intentions about osteoporosis prevention showed that:
  • 83 percent talked to their healthcare provider about osteoporosis and their risk factors
  • 63 percentdiscussed having a bone mineral density test performed
  • 50 percent reported consuming three or more servings of calcium rich foods each day
  • 88 percent reported taking a calcium supplement
One participant had a bone mineral density test for the first time, another was diagnosed with osteopenia (a pre-cursor to osteoporosis) and one is starting treatment for osteoporosis.
Contact: Gretchen Hofing

/ Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) helps people improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs and opportunities. Offices in counties across the state link the research of the land-grant university, MSU, to challenges facingcommunities. Citizens serving on countyExtension councils regularly help select focus areas for programming. MSUEis funded jointly by county boards of commissioners,the state through MichiganStateUniversity and federally through the US Department of Agriculture. /
FNP works to build a healthier workforce
Lenawee County’sunemployed residents are making healthier choices and saving money as a result of the training they received through the MSU Extension Family Nutrition Program (FNP).
In the last program year, 130 of the unemployed clients of South Central Michigan Works, representing 453 family members, participated in a training session on resource management, food safety and good nutritional choices. Twenty-five of these participants completed a one month-follow up survey to evaluate changes in behavior as a result of the training.
Individuals living on unemployment are often on a limited budgetand may face challenges in managing food resources. After the FNP instruction, the majority of families reported an increase in meal planning and comparison shopping. Close to half of the participants say they now use a list for grocery shopping which helps keep them from running out of food before the end of the month.
A follow-up one month later showed that the number of people demonstrating acceptable practices in food resource management at the start of the program nearly doubled. More than 90 percent of the participants are enrolled in one or more food assistance programs, and two more families enrolled in such a program as a result of the knowledge they received in their training.
Proper nutrition results in increased alertness and improved focus along with a decrease in diseases, resulting in improved work attendance.
Nearly all FNP participants made positive changes in their nutrition practices. At the one month follow-up, 60 percent of participants said they thought about healthy food choices more often when deciding what to feed their family. More than 40 percent also reported preparing foods more often without adding salt and also to using the nutritional facts on labels to make better food choices. They reported their children now ate breakfast more often.
After the initial education, participants planned to make changes such as these:
“I am going to work on menu planning and use recipes to get my kids involved in cooking.”-Robert / “The program has helped, and I will apply (1) shopping list, stick by the list;(2) plan meals for the week; (3) put the pyramid guide on the fridge; (4) Check labels when shopping for better buys; (5) don’t go to the store hungry or thirsty;(6) drink more water; (7) choose healthy foods.” – Annie
A one-month follow-up revealed these planned changes:
“I’m more likely to use a grocery list now. We eat more vegetables and fruit. I don’t leave meat out on the counter anymore. I use the food storage list I got. I can take greater advantage of sales.” - Freida
Contact: Gretchen Hofing
Learning parliamentary procedure the fun way
Knowing how to run a meeting and become an active club member was the focus of a parliamentary procedure training conducted by the Lenawee County 4-H Youth Development Program.
Participants took part in interactive, team-building activities they could use during club meetings. They worked on making, receiving and amending motions and learned how to involve club members in decision making skills.
A computer-based interactive game called “Parli-Pro Jeopardy”helped test their parliamentary procedure knowledge. The game is based on thepopular television show called “This is Jeopardy”®where clues are provided in the form of answersand the contestants must supply correct responses in the form of questions. Here is a sample of the answer-question process:
Answer:This action introduces business for the group to act on.
CorrectQuestion:What is: making a motion?
Participants tested their knowledge of all aspects of parliamentary procedure, missing only three out of 30 “answers.”
All participants said the training and the game provided new and helpful information that they willuse during their 4-H club meetings.
One participant said, “The training allowed me to be more confident with how to handle motions and how to approve reports.”
Contact: Janelle Stewart
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal opportunityemployer, Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Thomas G. Coon, Extension Director, MichiganStateUniversity, E. Lansing, MI48824

[LP1]Do you know the percent who said they plan to make behavior changes?