Take the first step toward good health at the HAWC

  • Published
  • By Peter Hofmann
  • contributing writer
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Hanscom's Health and Wellness Center offers many classes, health assessments and fitness equipment and wants to make sure the base community knows what is available to them for free.

For example, the HAWC provides services to help personnel quit using tobacco, lower cholesterol, avoid injury or develop a sound base for nutrition.

In addition, the HAWC offers the Bod Pod assessment, a machine that comfortably seats one person and measures body composition by using air displacement technology. It accurately calculates an individual's body fat percentage and provides how many calories are required for Total Energy Expenditure, which is the number of calories required for weight maintenance.

"TEE is the number of calories that you need per day to support life and maintain your current weight," said Will Carpenter, HAWC health promotion director. "Proper nutrition is required to fuel quality workouts or to promote healthy weight loss or maintenance."

According to HAWC staff, the analysis is completed in less than five minutes and would normally cost $75 to 85 in the local market.

"The longest part of the entire process is changing into your clothes," said Dale Bennett, exercise physiologist at the HAWC.

Form fitting clothing is required for the volume measurement and the assessment is done in a private room. There are both male and female personnel who are certified to provide this service as a way to allow more comfort for each client.

"There is no pinching of the skin by calibers or any physical contact required," said Carpenter. "Knowing your body fat percentage helps to determine how effective your current program is and whether you need to change your approach to exercise and nutrition."

The HAWC can also help with workout programs.

"At times people become complacent in their workouts as their body adjusts to the current program and it becomes difficult to make significant changes," Carpenter said. "The HAWC staff can assist with tweaking your program to present a new challenge."

The center can assist with living a healthier lifestyle, as well. Diabetes and high cholesterol are two of the many risks closely linked to a high body fat percentage.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association March 2004 issue, the second leading cause of death is inactivity and poor diet, accounting for 400,000 deaths per year, or 16.6 percent of all deaths in U.S.

"We advise people against getting on and off diets; we encourage healthier lifestyle behaviors," said Carpenter. "An individual's body fat percentage tells us a lot about their lifestyle. If it is too high or too low, we are here to assist with nutrition and exercise counseling."

Members of the HAWC team explained that for every one inch a person's waist circumference increases, high blood pressure increases by 10 percent, high triglycerides increase by 18 percent and risk of metabolic syndrome increases by 18 percent.

"We all need to be aware what goes into our bodies and make choices that support a healthier lifestyle," Carpenter said. "As you may know, heart disease, cancer and other causes of death are directly linked to specific behaviors we engage in. When deaths are distributed according to their actual cause, we see that tobacco and inactivity and obesity are the most prevalent killers of Americans."

The HAWC also has services to help people learn how to exercise correctly. One example is a running and walking analysis, also known as the Gait Analysis. This assessment helps break down and analyze a participant's running or walking style using cameras and computer monitoring that allow the exercise physiologist to review the video in slow motion with the participant. This evaluation helps to identity efficiencies, or the lack thereof, and decreases the risk of some common injuries associated with running.

"Running is an essential part of physical training in the military," said Carpenter. "If an Airman has issues with running or walking, we can help to identify the cause and provide corrective guidance."

The Gait Analysis takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes, but participants may benefit from the findings for a lifetime.

"Based on our observation, we can give helpful recommendations on exercise and running equipment, with our ultimate goal being the reduction of long term running and walking injuries," he said.

Running 101 is another monthly class. The HAWC staff discusses running form, footwear and proper training techniques to become a more efficient runner. Learning how to protect the feet, knees or lower back from the repetitive impact of running is a key topic.

"Our main goal is not to help someone pass a fitness test," said Carpenter. "Our objective is to help people live longer, healthier lives."

The facility also offers a variety of other services at no charge, such as tobacco cessation, healthy cooking demonstrations and general nutrition information.

Additionally, the registered dietitian, Annemarie Pease, is available for nutrition consults. Patients being seen by the 66th Medical Squadron are able to make individual appointments. For the rest of the base community, there are a number of classes offered each month on diets and nutrition.

"These are great times to bring your personal questions and experiences so they may be addressed," said Pease.

For those that are not able to make it to the HAWC, information is also available online. The HAWC recently launched a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/66MDSHAWC. The staff offers nutrition and exercise "Tips of the Week" reminders on upcoming classes and other health-related information.

Beginning in July, the HAWC will offer free gifts to community members who "like" the page or get friends to follow the page. More information will be released on Facebook and in the July HAWC calendar.

Additional information can be found at www.hanscom.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=19304. To learn more about the different programs offered, visit them in Building 1540, 188 Marrett St., call 781-225-6374 or email 66.mds.hawc@hanscom.af.mil.