Helpful Links

General Health | Women's Health | Choosing A Commercial Diet Program | Commercial Diet Programs | General Physical Activity and Exercise | Physical Activity for Older Adults | Walking | Exercise for People With Health Problems |  Kids | Alternative and Complimentary Medicine | Other Links

Note: The following Web sites are provided for your convenience. Visitors acknowledge that these third-party sites are maintained by persons or organizations over which Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield exercises no control. Excellus BCBS expressly disclaims any responsibility for the content, accuracy and/or quality of products or services provided by these third-party sites.

GENERAL HEALTH

American Dietetic Association
Professional and classified listings on nutrition.

American Heart Association
Large and inclusive. Search engines, hundreds of links, professional referrals. (1-800-MY-HEART)

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Large government site devoted to studies of disease causes and cures.

CNN Health News
Web site of Cable News Network - offers world wide reporting on all topics.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

National Library of Medicine
Find articles in medical journals through this U.S. government site.

National Institute of Health
Consumer health publications, clinical trials, health hot lines, MEDLINE & the NIH information index.

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WOMEN'S HEALTH

ACOG
Excellent resource for everything from breast-feeding to sexual abuse. Book lists and many e-mail addresses for different resources.

Female Health Links
For professionals and consumers with links to magazines, journals, and conferences on women's health.

North American Menopause Society

National Women's Health Resource Center
Clearinghouse of information and resources on women's health with a focus on prevention and wellness. Extensive links to condition-specific sites.

Breast Cancer Information Center

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ADVICE ON CHOOSING A COMMERCIAL DIET PROGRAM

Choosing a safe and successful weight-loss program
From the National Institutes of Health. Choosing a weight-loss program may be a difficult task. You may not know what to look for in a weight-loss program or what questions to ask. This Web site can help you make an informed decision about joining a program.

Wegmans.com
Comprehensive advice on weight management and information on strategies for weight control.

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COMMERCIAL DIET PROGRAMS

Weight Watchers

Jenny Craig

USDA Food Guide

DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Eating Plan

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GENERAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND EXERCISE

American College of Sports Medicine
Lists available publications, including free brochures, instructions for calculating your target heart rate, access to quarterly fitness magazine.

American Council on Exercise
(ACE) - Online fact sheets on various exercise topics including choosing a fitness instructor, strength training, flexibility and exercising with chronic conditions.

U.S. Federal Citizen Information Center
Online booklet, Physical Activity and Your Heart, A Guide to Physical Activity.

American Heart Association
(AHA) - Just Move site includes many resources including "Just Move," an 8-page booklet on the benefits of physical activity and tips to get started; "Exercise Diary," a way to track your daily activity, plus details about targets and goals; "Exercise Your Heart," a complete booklet about exercise and how to get started.

Shape Up America
Dr. C. Everett Koop's site on safe weight management and fitness. Calculate your body mass index (BMI) and assess your health-risk and fitness level. Read inspiring, real-life success stories or post your own at the Shape Up America! Support Center. You can also download a physical activity log to track your progress. A maintenance center helps you stay on track.

America On The Move
This site contains information on walking and healthy living. You can sign up to receive a free monthly newsletter on healthy eating and active living, log your walking distance online and be eligible for incentives and contests.

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PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SITES FOR OLDER ADULTS

Get Engaged
A program designed to encourage, support and reward Americans aged 45 and older to "get engaged" in physical activity, volunteer pursuits and healthy behaviors.

Aging Well
NYS Department of Health Information on physical activity and aging. Shows actual stretching and strengthening exercises you can do at home.

Be Active for Life
AARP information on a range of issues related to physical activity. Offers members an opportunity to start a 12-week physical activity program using the Be Active for Life Handbook. Also has many fact sheets on physical activity topics.

Exercise
The National Institutes on Aging Web site where you can order an exercise video and booklet on exercise for older adults. Cost for both the video and booklet is $7.00.

Exercise
A guide from the National Institute on Aging. Link to online book.

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WALKING INFORMATION

AARP
Contains information on starting walking groups, safe walking, etc.

America's Walking
PBS information on general health and fitness, pedometers and walking trails.

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EXERCISE FOR PEOPLE WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS

American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association Web site has information on frequently asked questions about exercise, a diabetes exercise quiz and exercise games. You also can order "The Fitness Book For People With Diabetes" online for a fee. Free pamphlets about exercise for people of all ages with diabetes are available. These include "Exercise and Diabetes," "Starting to Exercise" and "20 Steps to Safe Exercise." (1-800- 342-2383)

Arthritis Foundation
Has information about arthritis. To access information on local programs, on the home page type in your ZIP code. Click Go, then click on Programs and Services.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Web site offers information on achieving your healthy weight, including a calculator to help you estimate your total body fat. You can download publications online on exercise, diet and cardiovascular health, or order them for a fee. Titles include "Stay Active & Feel Better" & "Energize Yourself: Stay Physically Active." (301-496-4000)

American Council on Exercise
(ACE) - Has online facts sheets on exercising with various health problems including arthritis, asthma and diabetes.

National Osteoporosis Foundation
Information on exercise and on preventing falls is located on the National Osteoporosis Foundation Web site. You also can request free copies of "The Role of Exercise in the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis and Guidelines for Self-Movement." (202-223-2226)

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Free information on exercise and arthritis can be ordered online through the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Web site.

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KIDS' SITES

Verb Now
A site to promote physical activity among kids.

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ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLIMENTARY MEDICINE

Doc Weil Database
Sophisticated Web site with several search engines, menus, alternative medicine information and a feature called "Ask Dr. Weil".

National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
This federal agency conducts and supports basic and applied research and training. Disseminates information on complementary and alternative medicine.

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OTHER LINKS

Pets
My Pet's Not Fat - Just Big Boned

The Food and Nutrition Information Center
(FNIC) - National Agricultural Library (NAL).

The Vegetarian Resource Group

The American Dietetic Association

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