The University of Wisconsin-Extension of Walworth County will offer the Strong Women program Monday, Jan. 8 and Wednesday, Jan. 10 at a cost of $25 to $30.
The premise of the program is that older woman can ensure they’re able to continue doing the activities they love if they take good care of their bones. Good bone health is necessary to avoid fractures and breaks that can impair your ability to complete daily activities, according to the UW-Extension.
According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis is a major public health threat for almost 44 million Americans aged 50 and older. However, it’s not too late to decrease one’s chances of being one of those 44 million people.
The Mayo Clinic says that a number of factors can affect bone health such as physical activity, tobacco and alcohol use, gender, race, age, hormone levels, medications, and the amount of calcium in an individual’s diet. The clinic recommends diets with plenty of calcium and Vitamin D to help absorb calcium, physical activity and avoiding substance abuse. Calcium can be found in foods like almonds, broccoli, kale, tofu and dairy products. Vitamin D is found in egg yolks and fortified milk, and sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D. Doctors can also recommend Vitamin D supplements.
Along with getting enough calcium and Vitamin D, seniors are encouraged to participate in physical activity daily, specifically weight-bearing exercise, to improve bone health.
The StrongWomen program is an evidence-based strength training program in Walworth County. It has helped women become healthier and stronger all over the United States, according to UW-Extension.
More information can be found at walworth.uwex.edu/, on the UW-Extension’s Facebook page or by calling 262-741-4961.
