NIH Radio
Fathers can lead the family in living healthier
Brief Description:
For Father's Day dads can take the lead in helping the family live healthier.
Transcript:
Balintfy: Father's Day is a time when attention is turned to the men in the family. Dr. Griffin Rodgers, an institute director at the NIH says it's the perfect time to celebrate dads and encourage them to make staying healthy a priority for themselves and for the family.
Rodgers: We know that being overweight or obese may increase a dad's chances of developing heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and certain cancers.
Balintfy: So Dr. Rodgers recommends dads make a plan to eat better. That means including nutrient-rich foods like whole-grain breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables, beans and lean meats, and low-fat or fat-free milk products.
Rodgers: Eating a variety of healthy foods and eating smaller portion size may help dads control their weight and stay healthy.
Balintfy: He adds that dads should regularly do aerobic and strengthening activities, but those that they enjoy and will stick with.
Rodgers: Aim for 30 minutes of exercise five or more times a week. A brisk walk at lunch or after dinner, weight training with a friend or playing soccer on a local team are activities that dad can consider.
Balintfy: He also notes that dads can set an example.
Rodgers: Dads are powerful members of the family. They can lead by example by tackling overweight or obesity in the family. They should encourage the family to play together to increase physical activity. And they should talk about health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease, and how these conditions—if not managed—can lead to other chronic diseases, such as chronic kidney disease.
Balintfy: Father's Day, or any family gathering, is an opportunity to discuss family health history.
Rodgers: One health condition that really should be talked about is diabetes. Another is kidney disease. Having diabetes or high blood pressure puts you at risk for kidney disease. In fact, most people with type 2 diabetes or kidney disease have a family member — such as a mother, father, brother, or sister — with the disease.
Balintfy: Dr. Rodgers says there are several steps that can help family members start talking about their health history of diabetes and kidney disease. In particular asking questions about who may have had diabetes or kidney disease, who may have been told they are at risk, and if anyone has been told they need to lose weight or increase physical activity to prevent type 2 diabetes.
Rodgers: The good news is that research has shown that people at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes can prevent or delay this disease by making important lifestyle changes.
Balintfy: For more information on diabetes and kidney disease, as well as resources to discuss family health history, visit www.YourDiabetesInfo.org 
. To hear more from Dr. Rodgers, tune into episode 161 of the NIH Research Radio podcast. For NIH Radio, this is Joe Balintfy — NIH ... Turning Discovery Into Health.
About This Audio Report
Date: 6/14/2012
Reporter: Joe Balintfy
Sound Bite: Dr. Griffin Rodgers
Topic: Father's Day, dad, dads, father, fathers, health, diabetes, type 2 diabetes, kidney, kidney disease, healthy eating, exercise, physical activity, family health history, health history, family history
Institute: NIDDK
Additional Info: www.YourDiabetesInfo.org
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