-
About
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
- Environmental Health
- Overview of the College
- Meet the Dean
-
News and Events
Explore
-
Events
Explore
-
Profiles
Explore
-
Diversity and Inclusion
Explore
-
Awards
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
College Awards
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Carol Clark Ford Staff Achievement Award
Explore
-
HHD Faculty Sustainability Award
Explore
-
Joyce Hopson-King Diversity Achievement Award
Explore
-
Ann C. Crouter Early Career Faculty Award
Explore
-
Evelyn R. Saubel Faculty Award
Explore
-
HHD Alumni Society Excellence in Teaching Award
Explore
-
Leadership in Outreach Award
Explore
-
Evan G. and Helen G. Pattishall Outstanding Research Achievement Award
Explore
-
Pauline Schmitt Russell Distinguished Research Career Award
Explore
-
Carol Clark Ford Staff Achievement Award
-
HHD Alumni Society Awards
Explore
-
College Awards
-
Commencement
Explore
- Employers and Industry
- Our Valued Partners
- History
-
Strategic Plans 2014-19
Explore
-
Strategic Plan 2021-25
Explore
- Subscribe, Listen, Learn: College Podcasts
- Donate
- Contact
-
Undergraduate
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Getting Started
Explore
-
Majors and Minors
Explore
-
Honors Program
Explore
-
Advising
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Academic Integrity
Explore
- Academic Progress
- Advising Resources
-
Change of Campus
Explore
- Declaring a Major/Minor
-
Enforcement of Recommended Preparation
Explore
- Learning Support
- Petitions to University Policies and Procedures
-
Policies and Procedures
Explore
- Schedule an Appointment with Your Adviser
-
Undergraduate Adviser and Student Handbook
Explore
-
Contact
Explore
- Dean's List
-
Academic Integrity
- Student Organizations
-
Student Profiles
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Biobehavioral Health
Explore
-
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Explore
-
Health Policy and Administration
Explore
-
Hospitality Management
Explore
-
Human Development and Family Studies
Explore
-
Kinesiology
Explore
-
Nutritional Sciences
Explore
-
Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
Explore
-
Student Research
Explore
-
Biobehavioral Health
-
Study Abroad
Explore
- Take a Professor to Lunch
-
Financial Aid and College Scholarships
Explore
-
Leadership Initiative
Explore
-
Summer Session
Explore
- Dean's Welcome Meeting
- Parents and Family Association
-
Visit and Apply
Explore
-
Contact
Explore
-
Discover HHD
Explore
-
Career and Professional Development
Explore
-
Experiential Education Spotlights
Explore
-
HHD Instagram Ambassadors
Explore
- Undergraduate Research Grants
- Undergraduate Activities and Events
-
Getting Started
-
Graduate
Explore
-
Alumni
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Events
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Alumni Virtual Events
Explore
-
Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
- 2021 - Derrick Campana
- 2019 - Ariel Clatty
- 2018 - James Fitzgerald
- 2018 - Susan Robinson
- 2017 - Janet Rosenzweig
- 2015 - Scott M. Smith
- 2014 - Mark McCamish
- 2013 - Patricia Hillkirk
- 2012 - Jill Jayne
- 2011 - Robert E. Hillman
- 2010 - Joanne Finegan
- 2009 - Mario Lafortune
- 2008 - Mary Ellen Clark
- 2007 - Wendy A. Owen
-
Alumni Virtual Events
-
Biobehavioral Health
Explore
-
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Explore
-
News
Explore
-
Get Involved
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Mentor a Student
Explore
-
Join an Affiliate Program Group
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Biobehavioral Health APG
Explore
-
Communication Sciences and Disorders APG
Explore
-
Health Policy and Administration APG
Explore
-
Human Development and Family Studies APG
Explore
-
Kinesiology APG
Explore
-
Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Society (NDAS)
Explore
-
Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society (PSHRS)
Explore
-
Recreation Park and Tourism Management APG
Explore
- Get Involved with an Affiliate Program Group
-
Professional Golf Management APG
Explore
-
Biobehavioral Health APG
-
HHD Alumni Society
Explore
-
Mentor a Student
-
Health Policy and Administration
Explore
-
Awards
Explore
-
Hospitality Management
Explore
- Kinesiology
-
Alumni Profiles
Explore
- Nutritional Sciences
- Alumni Magazine
- Career Resources for Alumni
- Update Your Contact Information
- Volunteer Leaders
- Donate
- Contact
-
Events
-
Research
Explore
-
Contact
Explore
-
Departments
Explore
-
Outreach
Explore
National Diabetes Month
Go Nuts this November for National Diabetes Month
Over 30 million people in the US have type 2 diabetes and another 84 million are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Here in Pennsylvania, nearly 13% of residents have diabetes and 38% have prediabetes. Diabetes is a chronic condition that causes elevated blood sugar and can lead to serious complications such as heart and kidney disease, as well as amputations and blindness. Are you at risk? Certain characteristics, like age, weight and family history, can put you at high risk of diabetes.
Do you know the warning signs? Symptoms of diabetes often occur slowly and can include fatigue, increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss and blurred vision. You can learn more about the symptoms and risk factors for diabetes from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview.
The good news is that you can reduce your risk through healthy lifestyle habits such as following a healthy diet, getting or staying physically active, and maintaining a healthy body weight. While there are some risk factors, including age and family history that you cannot change, research has shown that getting 30 minutes of exercise on 5 or more days per week and eating for a healthy weight can help to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. People with, or at risk for, diabetes, should follow a balanced diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and healthy fats in appropriate serving sizes.
Certain foods, like nuts can be a part of a healthy diet, and may help you to maintain a healthy weight and even reduce risk of diabetes. In individuals with diabetes, higher consumption of tree nuts (pistachios, walnuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, pine nuts) has been shown to help reduce risk of heart disease, a common complication in people with diabetes. Nuts can also be a great holiday snack to replace some less healthy items like chips and crackers and are a nice treat for your guests around the holidays.
Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton, a dietitian and researcher responsible for Penn State’s Cardiometabolic Lab, has run several studies related to nut consumption, specifically walnuts, almonds, pistachios and peanuts. In a study of 30 adults with well-controlled diabetes, daily intake of pistachios improved blood cholesterol, triglycerides, and longer-term glucose control. In a study of 48 healthy adults with elevated cholesterol, intake of 1.5 oz of almonds daily, in place of a high-carbohydrate snack, reduced belly fat and lowered LDL cholesterol. To read more about the results of these studies, visit: https://hhd.psu.edu/nutrition/cardiometabolic-lab/completed-study-results.
The lab currently has a number of ongoing studies related to nut consumption, diabetes and heart health. In the Pistachio Study we are investigating whether snacking on pistachios in the evening improves morning fasting blood sugar levels. In the Almond Butter Study, we are investigating if eating a serving of natural almond butter before bed improves morning fasting blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Researchers have found that increases in blood sugar over the holiday season can persist into the spring months, putting individuals at risk for more than just the holiday season. Not only is November the start of the holiday season but it’s also National Diabetes month and a great time to know your risks. We propose starting a new tradition this year, visit: https://www.diabetes.org/risk-test to find out if you are at risk for diabetes, and share this with your friends and family so they can know their risks and take care of themselves this holiday season! You can learn more about the symptoms and risk factors for diabetes from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview.
To learn more about our nut research and the studies currently recruiting, please visit: https://hhd.psu.edu/nutrition/cardiometabolic-lab. Take steps to make this a happy and healthy holiday season!