News Release
November 26, 2008

Publication offers ways to foster healthy lifestyles amidst consumer-oriented pressures

A new University of Wyoming publication examines sources of unhealthy pressures in our consumer-oriented society and offers straightforward steps to follow for those who want to live differently.

“Consumerism: How it fosters unhealthy lifestyles and what we can do to live differently,” from the UW Cooperative Extension Service, examines the roles played by the media, the need to feel filled up and the contradiction and confusion society members face.

“Most people want to live a healthy lifestyle, but it can be hard to find time to be active, to prepare and enjoy food with family or friends and to pursue what people value as important in life,” said Suzanne Pelican, food and nutrition specialist with the UW CES. She is coauthor of the publication with Fred Vanden Heede, a consultant with WIN the Rockies.

“Our consumer-oriented society leads many people to try to fill a void in their lives by doing something like buying items or striving to have a ‘perfect body,’” she said. “But, as the publication points out, even though things like chocolate, a new car, the latest cell phone, a new outfit or the vision of having  a so-called ideal body may offer immediate pleasure or gratification, they are not capable of providing lasting fulfillment or meaning in life.”

Change requires self-reflection, she said. “To be self-reflective means to consider what is important in our lives and then to consciously make choices that guide us toward what is important.” 

In the areas of food and eating, physical activity and body image, the publication poses a number of questions and provides several self-assessment activities.  Pelican offered a few examples.  “When you feel hungry, before you automatically eat something, ask yourself what you are hungry for.  If your stomach feels hungry, your body needs nourishing food, but if you are hungry for companionship, you need to reach out to a friend, or if you feel hungry for creativity, you need to do something imaginative.” 

In terms of self-reflection related to physical activity, ask yourself, what motivates you to move?  “If you enjoy interacting with others, try dancing or non-competitive games, or, if you like to be active to reduce tension, aerobic workouts like swimming or relaxing activities like gardening may best meet your needs,” she said. 

The publication is available by download at www.uwyo.edu/CES/PUBS/MP112-6.pdf. Hardcopies can be ordered for $2.50 each by going to http://ces.uwyo.edu/Search_Start.asp, typing in MP-112.6 in the search field, clicking on the publication title, and following the directions under REQUEST HARD COPY. Hardcopies can also be ordered via mail by credit card (MasterCard or Visa only), check, money order, or cash, filling out the form, and sending it to University of Wyoming Ag Resource Center Department 3313, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82072. For more information, call (307) 766-2115

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Contact: Steven L. Miller, Senior Editor
Phone: (307) 766-6342
E-mail: slmiller@uwyo.edu
Archived News Site http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/UWAG/news.asp

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