The Health Ministries Committee of the Dalton Seventh-day Adventist Church is spearheading a “Better Health Initiative,” September 6 – 21, emphasizing good nutrition and exercise.

“We are very concerned about the obesity and diabetes epidemics that have spread across America, and into our community,” states Dr. Bryan Cheever, Dalton physician. “This is the generation of children that may not outlive its parents. Kids ages 10 and up are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I appreciate the other local organizations with similar concerns. I believe that we can all personally do something about these issues.”

On Thursday, September 6, the highly-acclaimed 90-minute movie, “Forks Over Knives” will be shown at the Northwest Georgia Trade & Convention Center, at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. It shows how most major diseases, i.e. diabetes, heart problems, some cancers, etc. can be prevented through a healthy plant-based diet. It shows that –“what we eat with our fork determines whether or not we’ll go under a surgeon’s knife,” according to a spokesman.

“In the beginning, God

gave us fruits, nuts, seeds, grains and vegetables. And He doesn’t make mistakes.”

There is no charge for the movie. There will be Spanish subtitles.

As a follow-up to the movie, four nutrition/cooking classes will be conducted to show the “how to.” Dates: Mondays and Thursdays, September 10, 13, 17, and 20, from 6:30 – 8:30, at the Learning Tree School, 300 S. Tibbs Rd., in Dalton. They will include tasty cholesterol-free cooking demonstrations, nutrition education, taste testing and door prizes. These classes are in line with September’s National Cholesterol Education Month. There will be no charge to attend.

“The Engine 2 Diet” movie, a practical sequel to “Forks Over Knives,” will be included in the cooking classes. Many of the dishes will be gluten free. The popular “Dr. John McDougall Program for Maximum Weight Loss” will be included. For those interested, purchase of the $15 book/manual will be optional. There will not be Spanish translating at the nutrition/cooking classes.

For the “Let’s Move” exercise initiative, a walking club has been formed which will meet at Dalton’s Walnut Square Mall (main entrance by Las Margaritas Restaurant) at 8 a.m. each week day morning, September 7 – 21 in which all ages can participate at their own speeds.

One “loop” on the inside of the mall, including the corridors, is a half mile, according to mall management. The walks will be led by committee member Vivian Raitz.

“This Better Health Initiative can be very beneficial and a lot of fun,” states Dalton physician Dr. Jane Yoon, committee member. “September is National Healthy Aging Month, and with good choices, we can possibly live to a healthy 100.”

Everyone is cordially invited to attend and participate in these events. Further information: 951-809-3610 or 706-313-8527.