Latino Perspectives Magazine » Health & Fitness

Total immersion

latinopm — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:20:51 +0000

By Virginia Betz

To a strong swimmer, a large expanse of water in a natural setting must be irresistibly inviting, particularly in contrast to the usual repetition of laps in a single lane of a concrete pool (probably shared with another swimmer). Open-water swimming is a draw for the recreational swimmer who just wants a change of scene, but is also becoming more popular among amateur and professional athletes who train for endurance events, such as triathlons and channel crossing.

Locations for open-swimming near Phoenix

Many municipalities prohibit swimming in natural water features within their boundaries. Water quality could be an issue and, most likely, there is an unwillingness to incur the inevitable expenses associated with habitual public use. In Arizona state parks, visitors are permitted to swim anywhere, but finding a place suitable for a real long swim may not be so easy. The best choices for open-water swimming near Phoenix are large lakes/reservoirs with developed recreational facilities. Many have specially designated areas for swimmers (no motorboats or jet skis) and include safety features, like platforms and buoys, along with other amenities, such as picnic areas and lavatories. Information about lake conditions (temperature, wind speed, etc.) can be obtained before planning your visit. A few destinations appropriate for swimmers of average skill are listed below.

Lake Pleasant

Part of the City of Phoenix Parks System, Lake Pleasant Regional Park surrounds a very large lake formed by Waddell Dam. The Lake has several coves that are “wake-free,” and, thus, safe areas for swimmers. In Castle Creek Cove, it is possible to do a three-mile swim from the mouth of the cove to the tip and back. A day pass is required to enter the park; it is $6 per car and $1 if entering by bike or on foot. Map and more details at maricopa.gov/parks/lake_pleasant

Bartlett Reservoir

Bartlett Reservoir is 22 miles east of Carefree. Formed by a dam of the same name on the Verde River, the area is notable for its spectacular scenery. The Reservoir is located in the Cave Creek Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest, so vehicles need to purchase a $6 pass to park at the facility. Rattlesnake Cove, off-limits to motor boats, is the spot for open-water swimming inside the buoy line. The undeveloped beach front slopes gradually down to deeper water. Windy conditions often prevail in the area and can produce choppy water. Map and info at fs.usda.gov/tonto

Canyon Lake

canyon Lake

Canyon Lake, 15 miles up the Apache Trail from Apache Junction, is part of the Superstition Wilderness area of the Tonto National Forest, Mesa Ranger District. The Boulder Creek Recreation Area, off limits to motorized watercraft, is most recommended for open-water swimming. It is possible to swim a one-mile loop non-stop. As for all Tonto sites, a $6 parking pass is needed. Info at fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto

Lyman Lake

If higher elevations appeal as the hot summer months approach, Lyman Lake at 6,000 feet is the largest lake in the White Mountains along the Little Colorado River. Because the Lake is so expansive (1,500 acres), it is popular for boating, but the west end of the Lake is a buoyed-off, no-wake zone great for swimming. Lyman Lake, 17 miles north of Springerville, is part of the Arizona State Parks system and has a $7 entrance fee for vehicles and $3 for individuals/cyclists. Map and info at azstateparks.com/parks/lyla

The special challenges of open-water swimming

Physical exposure

Open-water swimmers are exposed to greater extremes of temperature than pool swimmers. Usually, the issue is cold. A warm body rapidly loses heat in cold water through conduction, and exercising in the water will accelerate heat loss due to convection. According to active.com, responses to cold include “shivering, constricting blood vessels, increasing metabolism, increasing urine volume, increasing lactate production and decreasing VO₂max,” all conditions guaranteed to diminish athletic performance. Wetsuits permit longer stays in the water but detract from the sensual experience of the water most recreational swimmers desire.

Overexposure to the sun can also be a particular hazard for the open-water swimmer who, having committed to a long swim with no opportunity to rest, neglects to consider that, even in cool waters, parts of the body can be subject to sunburn.

Sighting

In choosing a destination, the open-water swimmer will presume a straight line trajectory, but swimming in a straight line is easier said than done. Most swimmers take breaths on the same side every few strokes, which tends to cause the swimmer to veer to one side. Correcting for this tendency is easy when lap swimming, but for open-water swimmers, frequent stopping to adjust direction really slows down the swimmer’s progress and wastes energy. Ideally, open-water swimmers should adopt a symmetrical stroke with bilateral breathing. It also helps to learn to keep a low head position while taking frequent looks to stay on course. Learning such new techniques requires practice.

Isolation

The lure of open water can also be a great disadvantage if a swimmer gets in trouble and there is no one nearby to note their distress. Even if there is a lifeguard on an ocean or lakeside beach, the surveillance of wide, open spaces is difficult. Take care not to underestimate distances or overestimate your swimming prowess. If the goal is to cover a significant distance, advise companions of your intentions; inexperienced open-water swimmers shouldn’t stray far from fellow swimmers or from a landing place.

Persons desiring to take up open-water swimming in a serious way ought to consider professional coaching in order to learn the special techniques appropriate for long-distance and/or competitive swims. With training and experience, swimmers can enjoy open-swimming in a greater variety of water contexts.

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An alarming trend

latinopm — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 15:56:35 +0000

By Arturo Gonzalez, M.D.

As teenagers, we were exposed to cigarettes, alcohol and we probably knew of someone who smoked marijuana. Their harmful effects are well-documented and kids are made aware of the related dangers at an early age. Sadly, today’s teens and young adults are also experimenting with another type of drug that can be addictive and have deadly consequences – prescription medicine.

It’s a frightening fact that there are more Americans who die from drug overdoses than in car crashes, and this increasing trend is driven by prescription painkiller abuse. Research shows that the 12- and 13-year-old kids’ drug of choice is prescription medication. Their faulty reasoning for experimenting with these drugs includes such cavalier statements as “they are legal and prescribed by doctors, so I should be okay.” We’ve heard this far too often from our patients.

Let me share one revealing conversation I had with a 14-year-old boy who came in for a scheduled annual physical. (By the way, these routine exams provide the best opportunity for pediatricians to have critical discussions on the issues of potential substance abuse, sexual activity and depression, as well as trouble at school or in the home environment.) As usual, I asked permission from his parents to have this conversation with their son and then requested privacy with my patient, not only to examine him for a typical well-check, but to discuss any personal issues he wanted to discuss without his parents present.

I asked him if he was experimenting with drugs? He said, “Yes, do you want me to list them all? Marijuana, cocaine, black tar heroin, Ecstasy, Adderall, mushrooms and Vicodin,” indicating that two of these were prescription medications obtained from home or school. He shared that he had been using drugs since the age of 12 and then pleaded with me to help him stop. He said, “I don’t want to do this anymore, I need help.”

With his permission, we discussed this revelation and plea for help with his parents. We were all shocked by the revelation and his parents were also angry, disappointed and disbelieving. But I helped them understand that this was a cry for help and, while we can’t undo the past, we can get him help now. The result of treatment and support helped this young man stay clean and move onto college and potential great success.

Now this is an exceptional case of substance abuse that, with intervention, had a positive outcome. Unfortunately, not all adolescents and young adults are as forthcoming, or as lucky, as my patient. Preventing this kind of abuse from even starting is paramount.

It begins with awareness. Parents often don’t know that this kind of abuse is even occurring. If and when they do find out, they don’t know how to deal with a user or possible addict in the family. There is often a lot of anger, confusion and floundering around as they try to figure out what to do.

Easy access is the most significant reason underlying the abuse of prescription drugs. A first step to consider is: what is in our medicine cabinet? From old prescriptions to over-the-counter pain relievers, teens are raiding medicine cabinets of friends and relatives alike. They are looking for painkillers and other prescriptions as a means to get high.

This trend is especially impacting our Latino youth.

The national “Partnership Attitude Tracking Study” from 2011 shows that nearly one out of four Hispanic teens report using a prescription drug without a doctor’s prescription. Latino youth are also more likely to be surrounded by peers who use drugs. Our youth are also more likely than other teens to have used prescription medicine, Ecstasy or crack cocaine to get high.

Medical professionals know that children who begin using substances during adolescence are much more likely to become addicted later in life than someone who begins using after his or her teenage years.

To educate myself more deeply, as well as to help get the word out about the urgent need to prevent medicine abuse, I’ve been volunteering with the Arizona affiliate of the “Partnership for a Drug-Free America.” Dedicated to preventing and reducing youth drug and alcohol use, this non-profit foundation offers a prescription drug prevention page at DrugFreeAz.org, provided in English and Spanish. You’ll find valuable information that will help you:

Learn which medicines kids are abusing
Talk with your child at any age about the risks of using medicines without a prescription
Understand how parents and youth are being impacted by medicine abuse through their personal stories

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How does your garden grow?

latinopm — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 15:42:19 +0000

By Virginia Betz

The desert gardener is a special breed – too much heat, too little rain, poor soil drainage and constant health advisories to stay indoors! Regardless, the irrepressible desire to look out a window and see something alive and green, or eat something they grew themselves, compels the home horticulturalist to flout the negatives and make a go of plant cultivation.

Experts claim that desert gardening needn’t be an exercise in futility, but due diligence and the adoption of strategies proven efficacious in arid environments are essential. Fortunately, gardening is such a popular avocation in the Valley that there is an abundance of resources to assist anyone who wishes to establish or upgrade their gardening credentials.

Take a class!

There are gardening classes galore for every level of learner from beginner to pro; formats vary from two-hour workshops to multiple-week courses; and subjects range from growing kitchen herbs to planting an orchard. A single class can help you bypass the frequent disappointments (and costs!) of relying on the trial-and-error method. Here is just a sample of up-coming classes in some of the most reputable venues for gardening instruction in the Valley.

Landscape for Life: Sponsored by the Desert Botanical Garden

When: Thursdays, April 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16; 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Desert Botanical Garden 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix 85008

Cost: $169.00 (non-members); $135.00 (members)

This five-lesson course was developed by the United States Botanic Garden and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to guide homeowners in applying sustainable practices to the planning and maintenance of residential landscapes. Participants will work throughout the sessions with a base map of their own property.

Check out more classes at: dbg.org/shop/courses

Jump Start Your Garden: Sponsored by Root Phoenix,

When: Saturday, April 27; 10:30-12 p.m.

Where: The Orchard Room, 7120 N. 12th St., Phoenix 85020

Cost: $ 15.00

The class is taught by green living expert and permaculture advocate, Greg Petersen, who brought the Urban Farm concept to Phoenix. This class focusses on the fundamental techniques for growing things in the desert.

For info on more classes and workshops: rootphoenix.com/classes

Hot Season Gardening: Sponsored by Southwest Gardener, 602-279-9510

When: Sunday, April 28; Noon

Where: 2809 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix 85007

Cost: $ 35.00

Local grower, Gregory Ware, advises participants how to maximize yields of vegetables and herbs during the hottest months of the year. Each participant will receive three starter plants from the instructor.

See other gardening and gardening-craft (such as “upcycling” and art gardening) classes at: southwestgardener.com

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Postpartum depression

latinopm — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 23:40:27 +0000

By Shannon Chavez

Research shows that the number of Latinas suffering from postpartum depression is on the rise. There are several factors that may affect why the number is growing. Factors, such as socio-economic status, education, acculturation and cultural beliefs, can impact how a Latina woman seeks help and addresses a problem. Latinas are challenged by limited access to health care, cultural norms that prevent mental health care, and beliefs that seeking help will be frowned upon by family, religion and spouse. Feelings of fear and shame can contribute to why Latinas are not reporting postpartum depression and why we should be concerned about making changes to prevent mental health issues later in life.

The number of women with postpartum depression is reported to be as high as 10 to 15 percent of the population. This statistic is informed by self-report questionnaires gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The last major survey data were compiled in 2008, but didn’t take into account demographic and cultural differences, whether there was a live birth or not, and language barriers. Women can still experience postpartum depression if the baby is stillborn or they have a miscarriage. More women are reporting symptoms of depression during pregnancy. Providing the survey in one language does not account for the general population. These are all factors that must be considered when diagnosing and recognizing the problem and providing proper treatment.

Postpartum depression is often misdiagnosed and overlooked. Most women experience what is known as postpartum blues or “baby blues.” Over 85 percent will experience blues and not depression. Important factors in the diagnosis are the duration of the depressive symptoms, severity, effect on daily functioning and risk factors. Postpartum depression symptoms include change in appetite, weight gain, sleep disturbances, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, isolation, intensity of emotions of fear, anger or sadness, difficulty taking care of self and child, and feeling overwhelmed or hopeless. If the symptoms persist for over two weeks, it is recognized as postpartum depression and requires treatment. Women often get counseling to gain coping skills and tools for dealing with their emotions. The support of the spouse is crucial and can sometimes involve couples therapy. Group therapy has been shown to provide hope and motivation, support from other women going through the same experience, and skill-building for coping with the changes both physically and mentally. In some cases, antidepressants may be indicated if all other options are not successful and the medication is suitable while breastfeeding.

Despite all of these facts, Latinas seem to be even more impacted by postpartum depression because of cultural indicators that are deeply rooted in the social roles and belief systems of the Latina mother.

How a health care professional defines “depression” may differ from that of a Latina mother. If symptoms, such as anxiety, sadness or feeling overwhelmed, are present, there is a cultural belief that is it attributed to mal de nervios, an ailment of the nerves, and not a mental illness like depression. The Latina mother perceives these symptoms as temporary and expected. Family members might reinforce the idea that these symptoms are expected and that they will eventually subside.

The roles and expectations of the Latina mother can vary based on the level of acculturation. Overall, the expectation is that, to be a good mother, the baby becomes the focal point of life. The baby’s health and well-being are most important and take priority even over the mother’s health. When a new Latina mother starts to feel down and self-critical postpartum, to admit difficulty with coping may be shameful. The expectations, both internal and external, are guilt-inducing, and can cause even more reason to mask depressive feelings. The Latina mother is a matriarch. When something is lacking in the house, it is the responsibility of the mother. When something happens with the children, it is the responsibility of the mother. The father may represent strength, but the mother is the power: Padre puede ser qualquiera, pero madre hay una sola (Father could be anyone, but mother – only one).

For many Latinas, even those that work, there is a cultural prescription of solo mothering in the home as an ideal. This ideal comes from tradition and cultural practices that allow for women to work while tending to their children, but also emphasizes the importance of the mother and child bonding after birth. Some Latino cultures believe that no one but the mother should take care of the baby after birth. This belief and many others put an incredible amount of pressure on the Latina mother to live up to the expectations and ideals of being a good mother.

Bocce renaissance

latinopm — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 23:34:38 +0000

By Virginia Betz

Claiming a pedigree that traces back to pharaonic Egypt, the game of bocce is most closely associated with Italy, where its practice among the ancient Romans is better documented. From its inception, the appeal of bocce has crossed the lines of class and geography. This has also ensured that there have always been very many variations of the basic game. Sure, there is an International Bocce Federation and an official rule book (the Collegium Cosmicum ad Buxeas), but the fundamental simplicity of bocce means that versions can be easily invented and modified to suit the skill level of the players, the number of players, the desired rapidity of play or complexity of score-keeping. Master a minimum of terminology, learn a few basic rules, and you’re ready to give it a try.

What you need to play

A bocce kit consists of a set of eight same-sized balls (bocci), half of one color and the other half a different color. The two colors distinguish the balls for each of two teams of one, two or four players per side. A smaller ball, the pallino (sometimes called a “jack”) serves as the game’s target.

What you need to play on

Bocce is played on a long, flat, rectangular alley with banked sides. Regulation bocce courts are approximately 18.3 meters by 2.4 meters (60 feet by 8 feet), but recreational courts vary greatly in size and are often not so large. The surface of the court also varies; it can be raked sand, gravel, dirt or cropped grass. The balls, which are rather heavy, should not be able to roll around freely after they are thrown.“Foul areas” can be designated at each end within which the players can walk up to toss the bocce. Formally constructed courts are nice, but not necessary; a backyard facsimile would be easy to improvise.

How to play “open bocce”

If you want to make your head spin, you can check out bocce.org/rules.html to read the instructions for playing and scoring an array of codified games. In most versions, a game (or round) consists of a series of giros, in which the players take turns throwing their bocci with the goal of getting their ball closest to the pallino. The player who does so, scores a certain number of points. A bocce that actually touches the pallino is called a baci (kiss) and is worth a bonus. The giros will continue until one team reaches a predetermined number of points and that finishes the round.

One of the simplest versions of the game, called “open bocce,” begins with one player tossing the pallino at least over halfway down the pitch. This player then throws his first ball trying to get as close to the pallino as possible. The player whose ball is closest to the target is said to be “inside” and does not get another throw until another player gets a ball closer to the pallino. The player who is “inside” after all balls are thrown is given a point for the “inside” ball and any other ball that is closer to the target than any ball of the opposite color. A new giro begins with another player tossing the pallino, and so on until one player/team gets 13 points.

Greater complexity can be added by having the players call the intention of their throws beforehand. A punto is a attempt to land the bocce closer to the pallino than any other in the alley without hitting another ball; a raffa is a throw with the object of moving another bocce out of the way; and a volo is an upward toss intended to displace another bocce or the pallino. A different mix of strategies is required when applying the rule that only one team can score during a given giro. Are you getting it?

Before investing in your own bocce set (visit playaboule.com for good deals), you may want to try it out or watch others at play. Some Valley locations that feature bocce courts are listed here, and it’s likely that the list will get longer in the very near future as more Arizonans get acquainted with the world’s second most popular sport.

Where to play bocce

Arizona American Italian Club

Features four lighted practice courts

7509 N. 12th St., Phoenix 85020, 602-944-3090

Hours: For non-members: Every Wednesday from 7 p.m.

info@azaiclub.org

Baci Italian Bistro

Baci’s is a family restaurant; outdoor bocce court is available through lunch and/or dinner hours

8830 E. Germann Road, Mesa 85212, 480-988-1061 or 480-988-1302

Hours: Tues. through Fri. from 11 a.m.; Sun. through Tues. from 4 p.m.

baciitalianbistro.com

The Vig – Arcadia

Bocce lawn is by the patio

4041 North 40th St., Phoenix 85018, 602-553-7227

Hours: Mon. through Fri. 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

thevig.us/about/

Aunt Chilada’s

Features a bocce field 60 feet long by 10 feet wide with a crushed oyster shell surface

7330 N. Dreamy Draw Drive, Phoenix 85020, 602-944-1286

Hours: Mon. through Fri. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

auntchiladas.com

The Wigwam Bar at the Wigwam Resort

Bocce concourse has two lighted, regulation-size, outdoor courts

300 East Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park 85340, 623-935-3811

Hours: Sun. through Thurs. 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Fri. and Sat. 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.

wigwamarizona.com

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February is American Heart Month

latinopm — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:42:45 +0000

Latino Perspectives Magazine is proud to focus on the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association during American Heart Month in February. The following article highlights an exceptional volunteer who has helped advance local programs educating Latinos about heart disease and stroke risk, and detail the ways you can take action to improve your own heart health.

Dr. Adriana Perez puts research into action saving lives

Adriana Perez, Ph.D., ANP-BC, is a scholar who puts her research into action saving lives. As a dedicated volunteer for the American Heart Association (AHA) for many years, Dr. Perez applies her culturally relevant research in developing wellness intervention programs among the Latino population. She is Assistant Professor and Southwest Borderlands Scholar at Arizona State University, College of Nursing and Health Innovation and co-director of the Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence. In addition, as a Health and Aging Policy Fellow, Dr. Perez works to promote policies that improve the overall health of our expanding aging population.

She urges Latinas to connect with Go Red por tu Corazón, part of the national Go Red for Women movement empowering women to take charge of their heart health. Go Red marks its tenth anniversary this year, celebrating its effectiveness in raising women’s awareness of their number-one health threat.

“Women who Go Red are more likely to make healthy choices,” Dr. Perez notes, “and we want to make sure Latinas are included.” The bilingual Go Red por tu Corazón movement is included in outreach and awareness programs of the AHA’s Greater Phoenix Division. The association also has a wide range of on-line resources for living a healthy lifestyle.

“Heart disease is the number one killer of Latinas,” Dr. Perez explains. “It is often silent, hidden and misunderstood. Despite the heightened risk, most Latinas are still unaware of the threat to themselves and their families. Small changes can make a big difference. Go Red por tu Corazón promotes a heart-healthy lifestyle through healthy eating and physical activity, building on strong ties to family and cultural traditions.”

Dr. Perez explains: “Through community-based research, I know that Latinos want to learn about health in a positive way. They do not want to be alarmed by potential health threats, but rather want to learn about all they can do to keep themselves and their families healthy to enjoy life. For the most part, Latinos want to continue to enjoy cultural traditions, so, we share ways that physical activity can be part of celebrations and how favorite foods can still be included in moderation.”

While her research and clinical practice have focused on older adults, she understands the importance of connecting generations for heart health, especially among Latinos. That was reflected in recent, “Simple Cooking with Heart” classes that Dr. Perez helped implement at the Halle Heart Children’s Museum. “These classes empowered families to make healthy lifestyle choices that can transform their lives,” she notes. “It was great to see grandparents, parents and children involved in preparing a heart-healthy and delicious meal.”

Dr. Perez is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses and helped launch the local Check for Life program, a collaboration in which volunteer nurses train stylists at barbershops and salons that cater to a Latino clientele to perform blood pressure screenings during appointments. The project has been underway for several years and has reached thousands of local residents.

“We discovered high blood pressure in countless clients,” she notes. “And, thanks to this program, they now have access to educational information about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity.”

Dedication to AHA community programs and a unique research focus provide Dr. Perez with important insights for her role as a member of the Health Equity Task Force for the AHA’s Western States Affiliate. The Task Force was formed in 2011 to address the health needs of diverse communities the affiliate serves across ten states. The primary focus is raising awareness about high blood pressure, obesity and healthy eating/living – essential to improving personal health and building healthier communities.

Dr. Perez has been doing that here in Phoenix for many years.

Live healthy with My Life Check

No matter where you stand on the road to good health, it’s never too late to make better choices. All you need is a goal, a plan and the desire to live better. That’s why the American Heart Association created My Life Check and Life’s Simple Seven.

No one achieves heart health by accident. Increase the odds by practicing seven steps to live a heart-healthy life.

Get active

Control cholesterol

Eat better

Manage blood pressure

Lose weight

Reduce blood sugar

Stop smoking

Our science and research volunteers have developed a simple tool so you know where you stand. Go on-line to MyLifeCheck.org to find out where you stand with the Life’s Simple Seven goals. Take the quick My Life Check assessment and, in a few minutes, you will know how you’re doing with each goal. You will also get your own personal heart score and life plan. The results will show where you stand on the seven recommended areas of focus and will create an action plan that is customized to your lifestyle and health outlook. Share the bilingual My Life Check web link with family and friends to point them in the direction of good health.

The most important step in the process is promising yourself to start making positive changes for a long, healthy future.

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Salsa – the spice of life

latinopm — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:12:32 +0000

By Virginia Betz

There is no more pleasant way to bond with others than through recreational dance. It’s a transient bond that only lasts as long as the song, but, for the duration, that bond is your entire world.

Salsa offers a combination of advantages when compared with other styles of social dance. You can get out on the dance floor with a minimum of technique and, if you’re a bit out of sync, it won’t attract attention. Salsa has a basic inventory of prescribed movements that leaves a lot of room for personal embellishment and self-expression. With salsa dancing varying levels of intimacy can be established with different partners, from the merely respectful to the mainly steamy. And, in the Phoenix metro area, there are lots of places to show off your moves. Best of all is the music; once you give yourself over to el ritmo salsero, you won’t be able to suppress the irresistible urge to dance!

Basic salsa steps are easy to learn and there are a number of ways to go about it: just try to imitate what others are doing out on the dance floor; study on-line tutorials; get to the dance club early for the “intro” lesson that’s often offered at venues featuring salsa nights; or pay for some formal training at a dance studio. While the last-named option clearly involves the most expense and time commitment, it is also probably the most efficient way to learn and gain genuine self-confidence.

LPM’s insider informant, Henry “the dance guy” Carrejo (azvips@gmail.com) who has been an instructor in several Valley studios and a competition judge, answered some FAQs about what to expect in a salsa class. A common fear is that mostly women attend dance classes, so that a woman signing up alone might be hard pressed to ever dance with a male partner. Henry reports that the days of one man for every four women is long gone, in fact, it is not unusual for males to outnumber females in group classes. Television shows like Dancing with the Stars and all those movies in which the guy that can dance wins the day have had a profound and positive effect on the image of social dance. In any event, whether you enroll as a single or a couple, you won’t be allowed to dance with the same person all the time. Instructors typically insist that students rotate their partners in order to avoid the limitations of relating to only one other person’s style. Reading cues from different people and learning the idiosyncrasies of a variety of individual styles is part of the fun of couple dancing.

Salsa is an highly energetic dance genre and students can expect to work up a sweat. Gym clothes are okay for the studio, but if a club dance follows, something approximating “business casual” might be more appropriate. Dressed up or down, you should avoid rubber-soled shoes. Leather-bottomed shoes with a heel are an aid to smooth turns and quick steps. Women should avoid too-high heels, which are unstable, and opt for two or two-and-a-half inch heels for sure-footedness. There aren’t any fashion police at salsa salons, so the bottom line is your personal comfort zone.

According to Henry, private lessons for singles or couples usually run in the neighborhood of $80 to $120 per lesson, a price that the competitive dancer would find more sustainable than the average recreational dancer. Group instruction is much more economical (and less pressure) and is widely available in formal studio or club settings. Below is a partial list of Valley locations with frequent, scheduled classes and quality instructors and/or dedicated salsa nights.

Dance studios

(times given for salsa classes only)

Ambiant Dance

16597 N. 92nd St., Scottsdale 85260, 480-422-6840

When: Tuesdays, 8 p.m. group class

Cost: $10 per class, drop-in; discounted packages arranged

ambiantdance.com

Cannedy Dance Center

6222 N. 7th St., Phoenix 85014, 602-279-4875

When: Mondays, 8:30-9:30 p.m. (two classes: beginner and intermediate)

Cost: $12 per class; $20 for two classes in same month; $35 for four classes in a row; private lessons can also be arranged

info@centralphxsalsa.com

Mesa Stars Ballroom

2848 S. Carriage Lane, Mesa 85202, 602-690-6631

When: Tuesdays, 8:15-9:15 p.m.; Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. and 8:45-10:30 p.m.; private instruction available for singles or couples

Cost: varies by number of classes taken; call or check on-line for special packages

info@starsballroom.net

Sun Devil Fit Center at ASU-Tempe campus

550 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe 85287, 480-965-9011

When: Mondays, 9-10:30 p.m. (upcoming session: March 18 through April 22)

Cost: $90 for six-week session ($80 for students; $85 for SDFC members)

fitness.asu.edu

Clubs/salons

Dave and Buster’s

2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway (Tempe Marketplace), Tempe 85281 480-281-8456

When: Wednesdays, class from 7-8 p.m. (for beginners) followed by open dancing till midnight

Cost: no cover (21+ only); class is free

daveandbusters.com

Fat Cat Ballroom

3131 E. Thunderbird Rd. #33, Phoenix 85032, 602-324-7119

When: Sundays, 7-8 p.m. lesson, followed by open dancing till 10 p.m.

Cost: $5 per person (all ages)

fatcatballroomdance.com

Paragon Dance Center

931 E. Elliot Rd., Suite 101, Tempe 85284, 480-777-8877

When: Sundays, lessons from 6:30-7:30 p.m. (three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced), followed by open dancing till 10:30 p.m.

Cost: $8 per person; $6 students with ID; ages 12 and under, free (includes lesson)

paragondance.net

Pepin’s Spanish Restaurant

7363 Scottsdale Mall (Old Town), Scottsdale 85281, 480-990-9026

When: Saturdays, 10-2 p.m., “oldest Latin night in Scottsdale”

Cost: $10 (21+ only)

pepinrestaurant.com

For a more complete listing, check out azsalsa.net/venues

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Fitness trends of 2012

latinopm — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:03:51 +0000

By Virginia Betz

To call it the “fitness industry” is no misnomer; fitness professionals are continually challenged to come up with new product – new ways to get fit. Fitness junkies get bored with the same old-same old, while exercise resisters require the lure of the chic and unique. Belly dancing has had a fairly long run, but nowadays seems on the decline, whereas a pole dancing-derived aerobics class went “splat” almost before it started. LPM takes a look at some of 2012’s successful exercise innovations, and leaves it to you to predict their likely longevity.

Hot yoga

It would seem to defy common sense, but here in the Valley, where saunas are largely absent from your average fitness facility, hot yoga has been warmly embraced. Hot yoga is simply a 60- to 90-minute yoga class conducted in a room kept at a temperature between 95 and 100 degrees F, and sometimes a bit higher. Various class formats can be followed, although most usually a vinyasa (flowing) style is emphasized that consists of a predetermined sequence of poses, such Bikram or Moksha yoga. The result is, not surprisingly, a very warm body and profuse sweating. Devotees of hot yoga claim that the program leaves them highly energized, while others report numerous therapeutic benefits, such as relief from chronic muscle and joint soreness. You’ll have to give it a try to find out what wonders it will do for you. A long list of studios offering some form of hot yoga in the Greater Phoenix metro area can be found at healyoufirst.com/hotyogaclasses.html

Zumba sentao

Begun in 2001, Zumba Fitness^® has been the 21^st century’s most successful exercise program, the one that incorporates dance moves and Latin rhythms. No “phenom” lasts forever, however, and no one knows that better than Zumba founder, Beto Perez, who is constantly finding new ways to make it fresh. There’s Aqua Zumba, Zumba Toning, Zumbatomic for kids, and Zumba Gold for the getting-on-in-years. The latest addition to the “party fitness” line-up, Zumba sentao, is translated as “Chair Zumba” – and what could sound duller? But, the chairs aren’t for sitting; they are used as supports so that participants can perform strength- and stability-building exercises using their own body weight in order to activate muscle groups in a way not possible with “standing” routines. Zumba sentao is completely choreographed and high in cardio. You’ll never dance with a lampshade again!

Pound aerobics

If a pas de deux with a chair doesn’t strike your fancy, pound aerobics offers another way of integrating upper and lower body exercises. Participants grab a pair of sticks and those over-sized, inflatable body (or resistance) balls do double-duty as drums. The beating of balls and clacking of sticks are combined with calisthenics and dance moves; these classes are a guaranteed high-calorie burn. Interacting with others is also part of the fun. Instructors rave about the bonding power of group drumming and the psychic benefits this brand of stress relief bestows.

Barefoot running

A few years back, the clownish “toe shoes” began to appear, a seeming affectation of the Birkenstock crowd – a proclamation of their wearers’ “naturalness.” Quite rapidly, however, serious runners started to take the shoes seriously, and, in 2012, “barefoot” running shoes became ubiquitous in fitness settings. Their rapid adoption begs the question – is there a “right” and a “wrong” way to run?

Converts argue that it can be difficult for the uninitiated to appreciate the advantages of barefoot running, especially its superior biomechanical efficiency, because shoes have spoiled us, weakening the foot muscles as well as encouraging runners to maximize the landing force on the heel (heel striking), the primary source of running-related injuries. According to the Harvard University’s Skeletal Biology Lab website (barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu), it is true that barefoot runners land with a midfoot or forefoot strike, which allows them to run on hard surfaces with little discomfort. Shoe-less running would seem to lead to lower impact forces, but, advises the Lab’s director, Daniel Lieberman, “this hypothesis has yet to be tested and … there have been no direct studies on the efficacy of forefoot strike running or barefoot running on injury.”

The more obvious danger of barefoot running, however, is not repetitive stress injury, but the plethora of ouch-y objects and ick-y substances with which the unshod foot is likely to come into contact. “Minimal shoes” are the answer, designed to mimic the contour and flexibility of the foot’s actual sole while offering a modicum of protection. Numerous options are on the market, from the “foot glove” that resembles a more traditional lace-up trail shoe from above to the “five-finger” models that definitely make a statement. Unfortunately, the “minimal” stops at the price; you pay as much for no padding and no support as you would for a high quality running shoe.

One website describes barefoot runners as “a fundamentally different group of people … laid back and open-minded, … [who] prefer light-hearted runs.” One safe bet is that, if the trend gains momentum, this stereotype is bound to change.

Neon

Neon is one of those style trends that never seems to go away, but never really takes off either. But, in 2012, neon finally found its fashion home – in the gym. Perhaps in an environment in which most people are in motion most of the time, the glaring brightness of neon is less visually painful. Even the men, in the aggregate ever so slow to change their dress code, are sporting neon, especially in the footwear department. Orange, yellow and electric blue seem most popular with the boys, while girls favor lime green, coral and hot pink.

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Having “the talk”

latinopm — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:02:29 +0000

By Alison Bailin Batz

Let’s talk about sexy, baby – as in sexually transmitted diseases!

And all of our sexual partners!

And getting tested!

The above discourse might be the least romantic conversation one can have with a new love – ever. But, however awkward it might be, this talk might also be one of the most important topics to discuss honestly as the relationship blooms.

Why?

According to the American Cancer Society, there will be more than 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed this year in the United States alone, making it the third most common cancer in women. The disease forms slowly, but has few symptoms in its early stages.

The number one risk factor in developing cervical cancer – the human papilloma virus, or HPV.

This virus, which can also cause genital warts, comes in more than 100 different strains of varying degrees of severity. About 40 of these strains can affect the genital area, potentially leading to cervical cancer.

The bad news?

Genital HPV infection is very common among sexually active people. It is so common, in fact, that some estimate that half of all men and three-quarters of all women have been infected with HPV at some point in their lifetime.

“Men can be carriers of the disease for years without a single symptom, until they eventually transmit it to their significant other,” said Dr. Rhianna Meadows, program director for Primary Care and Male Services at Planned Parenthood Arizona.

The good news?

Most HPV infections will go away on their own without treatment within one to two years.

“However, some will continue to ‘hide’ in the body for many years before they cause problems,” said Dr. Meadows. “This makes it nearly impossible to determine when patients became infected with the disease, how long they’ve had it and who gave it to them.”

The importance of Paps

In addition to STD screenings, which both men and women should regularly undertake, it is highly recommended that all women have a Pap test done to detect early changes in the cervix.

A Pap test, which is not painful for the patient, is done by a medical provider inserting a metal or plastic speculum into the vagina, which is opened slowly to allow the clinician to visually examine the cervix (the opening to the uterus). The provider then uses a small brush and/or spatula to gently collect cells from the cervix. The cells are then sent to the laboratory to be tested for abnormalities.

The current recommendation for when to begin Pap testing is at the age of 21, regardless of when women first started having sexual intercourse. Pap testing can then be done every three years – some women may need them more frequently – depending on a health care provider’s recommendation. Women should continue to have a Pap test until they are 65 years of age or maybe later.

HPV is just the tip of the STD iceberg

According to Dr. Meadows, in addition to HPV, the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Arizona are:

Bacterial Vaginosis – the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age, occurs when the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted. Symptoms including discharge, odor, itching and burning.

Chlamydia – the most common cause of female infertility and the most widely reported STI in the United States, this infection may not present immediate symptoms, save for possible discharge from the penis, but is 100 percent treatable if caught in time. The chlamydia rate for Hispanics is nearly three times the rate among non-Hispanic whites.

Gonorrhea – able to grow in moist areas of the body including the reproductive tract, cervix, uterus, urethra, mouth, throat, eyes or even anus, the symptoms of this disease can often be confused with those of a common bladder infection, but can lead to both male and female infertility as well as high-risk pregnancy. In 2010, the national average of Hispanics with gonorrhea was 2.2 times the rate among whites and higher in men than in women.

Syphilis – this potentially fatal disease often first appears via sores on the body, then develops into a rash around the mouth, vagina or anus. Lack of treatment can eventually lead to late-stage symptoms including paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness and dementia. In 2010, more than 16 percent of all cases of syphilis reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were by Hispanics, more than twice as often as for non-Hispanic whites.

“With so many of these diseases easily confused with common ailments, or symptom-free in early stages, the only defense is a good offense,” said Dr. Meadows. “In this case, the only good offense is open communication with one’s partner.”

Some questions to get started:

Have you ever been tested for any STDs? If so, which ones?

Are you involved with anyone else, or when was your last sexual activity?

I believe in safe sex and condom use, do you?

“It is also worth offering to get tested together,” adds Dr. Meadows, who notes that if cost is an issue, there are four Planned Parenthood Centers in Arizona that are funded by Title X (Mesa, Maryvalle, Tucson and Yuma), which allow women and men without health insurance to receive reproductive health care at reduced rates, or in some cases free, depending on their family size and income at the time of their visit.

For more information, please visit ppaz.org

Surest ways to avoid getting an STD

Preventive care is the first defense in reducing the risk of contracting an STD. The most effective ways to reduce one’s risk include:

Practicing abstinence

Having only one sexual partner who has no other intimate partners

Having sexual contact that does not involve anal or vaginal intercourse

Using condoms every time

Uninsured? Visit a Title X-funded Center

In addition to accepting AHCCCS, the Title X-funded Planned Parenthood Centers in Mesa, Maryvale, Tucson and Yuma provide a variety of services for the uninsured which may include:

Reproductive life/family planning counseling

Gynecological examinations and basic lab tests

Breast and cervical cancer screenings

Contraceptive counseling and supplies/methods

Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases

HIV testing and risk reduction counseling

Pregnancy testing

General health screenings for high blood pressure, diabetes and anemia

Community education and outreach

Services to men, including, but not limited to, testing and treatment of some STDs, education on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections, reproductive life counseling and exams.

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Healthy kids

latinopm — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 19:59:36 +0000

By Annie Young, D.O.

Every day, parents have to make choices about what is best for their children. This means making sure their choices will promote both optimal emotional and physical health so their children are better able to face life’s challenges and make good choices.

Parents, pediatricians, teachers and other specialists/clinicians all have a role and must work together to promote a child’s well-being. Based on a partnership of mutual responsibility and trust, clinicians can help the child and family focus on issues such as nutrition, safety, early literacy and mental health. In this way, the whole child, or total health, is considered. As a clinician seeing the challenges children face day in and day out, I invite you, parent or not, to play a role in shaping the futures of our kids. ¡Nos incumbe a todos! It’s everyone’s responsibility!

Here’s how:

Consider your pediatrician as a partner in your child’s overall success

Get to know and embrace the “medical home” concept

Get educated and empowered to ask questions of your medical professionals

Advocate for all of Arizona’s children by challenging schools, lawmakers and voters to review how we can make all of our systems more efficient and effective

Consider pediatricians partners in your child’s success. We are the “medical home” for all things related to health and wellness for a child. This is where evidence-based decisions are made – a one-stop shop of sorts that can coordinate all issues that may arise in childhood.

Start early. Children achieve 90 percent of their brain development in the first five years of life, so it is critical that parents actively engage early on, spending quality time together, reading and exploring, to ensure a high level of learning along with developing important relationship and communication skills that serve to support self-esteem and other intrapersonal skills.

As medicine moves toward this integrated health-care model, pediatricians and clinicians are working as a team to address the entire scope of a child’s needs. Oftentimes, this means educating the parents on how to keep their child well or get them back on track. Cultural differences require different approaches or suggestions.

The only way to break down cultural barriers is for both the parent and physician to ask important questions and share how your family or culture might look at a particular health issue. Language barriers, education levels and inability of parents to fully explain what their concerns are can sometimes hinder a physician and other providers from offering optimal care. Physicians need to do their part to dig a little deeper, and the family needs to help the pediatrician understand so that he, or she, can get to the root of the problem. Otherwise, issues can be under-diagnosed or missed completely.

Much is at stake because parents and clinicians alike have the ability to initiate healthy habits and practices in children during their formative years before the bad habits settle in. The entire family has to be on board.

Parents with poor dietary and exercise habits contribute to unhealthy children, setting up a wide range of health issues and often life-long struggles. Strong role modeling on the part of parents and additional support from the schools to reinforce good habits are critical.

Most of my visits with families are spent discussing healthy meal options and alternatives that can be used every day. Eliminating liquid calories and switching to low-fat milk is one of my biggest battles. The discussion has to be tailored to focus on the nutritional habits specific to the family’s culture. For example, some cultures eat more carbohydrates, such as tortillas, beans, cactus (nopales) and rice. Others focus on higher-fat content with pork products, as well as rice, beans and bread.

The parents’ daily decisions on what to feed their child or how to engage them in active recreation will have the most significant impact on their health and future well-being. A simple choice for the morning meal between eating a large bagel or some sugary cereal product versus opting for quality protein, such as scrambled eggs, can impact a child’s ability to learn and perform well in school and on tests.

Many pediatricians will affirm that parents are often the biggest obstacle; they often do not accept that their child is overweight. Yet the statistics don’t lie; Arizona posted the biggest increase in the prevalence of childhood obesity of all states between 2003 and 2007.

Pediatricians are already seeing significant incidences of cardiovascular disease even in kids as young as 5 years old. Type-2 diabetes is showing up in children, the kind of diabetes once called “adult-onset.” Children are being diagnosed as obese even before they step foot into kindergarten. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that about 20 percent of obese four-year-olds will grow up to become obese adults. That figure rises to 80 percent among teenagers who are overweight. These children are more likely to have high blood pressure, joint problems and greater risk of death as their weight increases.

The Arizona Chapter of AAP advocates parents follow the “5-2-1-0 rule.” This means getting kids to eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day (a serving could mean a medium apple or a handful of mini-carrots); spend less than 2 hours in front of a screen including computers and video games; spend at least 1 hour a day being physically active; and limit sugary drinks to 0 a day. You can embrace this simple rule along with your kids and the entire family will benefit. More information is available at azwaytogo.org.

Just as quality foods play a role in a child’s health, so too do immunizations. There may not be any issue we advocate more for on any given day than immunizations. Recent outbreaks of polio, measles and epidemic rates of pertussis (also known as whooping cough, including one death in Arizona this past year) demonstrate that all children should be vaccinated according to the immunization schedule available at the CDC website (cdc.gov).

Mental health and abuse problems are now more prevalent on our list of issues to address. Our offices are often making referrals for community resources and services to help a parent facing any number of needs – from abuse and bullying to access to food or dental care – all of which might keep a child from growing and performing well. While we know that our schools are focused on the education of our children, establishing good habits in early childhood sets kids up for success.

Pediatricians are often the first and only professional a family sees or talks with before the child starts school. That’s why more than 800 Arizona pediatricians voluntarily incorporate AzAAP’s early literacy program, Reach Out and Read Arizona, at each well-child visit. This proven program involves the physician talking to parents about the importance of reading to their child daily to impart crucial language skills. Pediatricians supply children, aged six months to five years old, with a free, developmentally-appropriate book to keep for a period of 10 well-child visits. Only 43 percent of Arizona parents read to their kids daily.

Keeping your child physically safe is another component when considering the whole child. Pediatricians talk about booster seats, water safety, wearing sunscreen, firework safety, using helmets when out riding bikes – but we can’t be there when those things are happening. Parents must be diligent through all phases of their child’s life.

In Arizona, drowning continues to be a leading cause of injury-related death for children between the ages of one and five years old, according to the Drowning Prevention Coalition. Adult supervision is the best way to a prevent drowning.

Being a good role model is another important factor. Are you showcasing how to treat all people with respect? It may start with “please” and “thank you,” but also include how you speak to, and about, those you disagree with. Bullying, which affects about 10 percent of our kids, is a significant issue in our schools when their focus should be on reading, writing and arithmetic. Parents can be models for critical relationship behaviors, as well as monitor their child’s online activities, which can impact both emotional and physical development. Visit stopbullying.gov for more information.

Besides parents and pediatricians, teachers, lawmakers, grandparents and average citizens can make a difference in the lives of our children. Your understanding and investment in improving our state systems for effectiveness and efficiency is needed. As doctors, we invite you to learn more about the importance of the medical home, to increase your understanding of how you play a role in your, or any, child’s health and wellness, and to partner with your pediatrician to create a bright future for our kids.

Dr. Anne Young is an Arizona native and pediatrician at Valle del Sol in Central Phoenix. She completed medical school at Midwestern University in Glendale and residency in Savannah, Ga. She is a member of the Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Her interests include obesity and nutrition, autism and diabetes.

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