KANNAPOLIS ó From ancient Chinese medicine to modern-day obesity, free nutrition classes at the N.C. Research Campus next month will explore a variety of issues.
Presented by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the classes will begin at 7 p.m. the first four Tuesdays in June. Classes will be held in the Cabarrus Bank Building in the Village, 201 West Avenue.
UNC-Greensboro and seven other schools have a presence at the Research Campus, a $1.5 billion life sciences complex in Kannapolis. The UNCG Center for Excellence in Bioactive Food Components studies compounds in food, other than minerals and vitamins, that affect human health.
The seminars are open to the public, but registration is required by calling 704-250-5810 or e-mailing efoflahe@uncg.edu.
June 2
“Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Lifestyle Intervention” by Dr. Wei Jia.
For more than 2,000 years, TCM has viewed health as being in balance and offered medical interventions focusing on restoring that balance. This session will cover the main theory and practice of TCM, the representative medicinal plants used in TCM, TCM-based lifestyle interventions and underlying scientific evidence for TCM.
Jia is a professor and co-director of the UNCG center at the Research Campus. He identifies and evaluates bioactive ingredients from foods, plants and TCM for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders like diabetes.
June 9
“Fruits and Vegetables are Good for Your Bones, Too” by Dr. Debbie Kipp.
Major sources of bioactive food components are plants, especially fruits and vegetables, as well as medicinal herbs such as teas, ginseng and ginger.
Bioactive food components contribute to healthy bones. Research about this relationship, as well as suggestions for foods to eat to improve bone health, will be discussed.
Kipp is a professor and chairperson of the UNCG Department of Nutrition and interim co-director of the UNCG center at the Research Campus. She studies the role of nutrients, bioactive components and hormones on the skeleton.
June 16
“What’s on a Food Label?” by Dr. Lauren Haldeman
You may already use the Nutrition Facts panel to check your diet in some way, but there is a lot to be learned from a label. This session will focus on the Nutrition Facts label as a nutrition education tool.
Come learn how to use the label to shop smart, plan well and cook healthy.
Haldeman is an associate professor in the UNCG Department of Nutrition. She studies the effects of food insecurity, health beliefs, attitudes and barriers on eating behaviors and diet quality.
June 23
“What Does the Obesity Epidemic Have to Do with Me?” by Stephanie C. Peters.
The rise of obesity in this country has been described as an epidemic, with 49 states having obesity rates of 20 percent or higher.
This session will explore the obesity epidemic, provide information on how to identify obesity and its risk factors and provide ways to fight obesity in your life.Peters is a nutrition educator at the UNCG center at the Research Campus. She specializes in community nutrition, translating nutrition science into educational materials and promoting families cooking and eating together at home.