- With Mayo Clinic nutritionists
Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
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Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Katherine Zeratsky and Jennifer Nelson
Jennifer K. Nelson, M.S., R.D., L.D., C.N.S.D.
Jennifer Nelson is your link to a better diet. As specialty editor of the Food & Nutrition Center, she plays a vital role in bringing you healthy recipes and meal planning."Nutrition is one way people have direct control over the quality of their lives," she says. "I hope to translate the science of nutrition into ways that people can select and prepare great-tasting foods that help maintain health and treat disease."
A St. Paul, Minn., native, she is certified by the National Board of Nutrition Support Certification, has been with Mayo Clinic since 1978, and is director of clinical dietetics and an associate professor of nutrition at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
She leads clinical nutrition efforts for a staff of more than 50 clinical dietitians and nine dietetic technicians and oversees staffing, strategic and financial planning, and quality improvement. Nelson was co-editor of the James Beard Foundation Award-winning "The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook." She has been a contributing author to and reviewer of many Mayo Clinic books, including "Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight for EveryBody," "The Mayo Clinic Family Health Book" and "The Mayo Clinic/Williams Sonoma Cookbook." She contributes to the strategic direction of the Food & Nutrition Center, which includes creating recipes and menus, reviewing nutrition content of various articles, and answering nutrition questions posed to Ask a Specialist.
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
As a specialty editor for the Food & Nutrition Center, Katherine Zeratsky helps you sort through the facts and figures, the fads and the hype to learn more about nutrition and diet.A Marinette, Wis., native, she is certified in dietetics by the state of Minnesota and the American Dietetic Association. She has been with Mayo Clinic since 1999.
She is active in nutrition-related curriculum and course development in pediatrics at Mayo Clinic Rochester and nutrition education related to the physiology and recommended intakes for premature infants.
Other areas of interest include breast milk and formula safety, neonatal feeding, and nutrition for breast-feeding mothers.
She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, served a dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and worked as a registered dietitian and health risk counselor at ThedaCare of Appleton, Wis., before joining the Mayo Clinic staff.
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Nutrition-wise blog
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Oct. 8, 2009
TV shows highlight struggles of the overweight
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
We all know that time spent in front of the television influences body weight. For example, more time watching TV means less time for physical activity. Then there are those tempting ads that encourage us to indulge in high-calorie foods like soda, pizza and potato chips. It's easy to see how the pounds can add up.
TV networks are well aware of the overweight and obesity trends. Talk shows feature fitness and health experts — and even hosts — who through self-disclosure and audience participation share their experiences and advice. Networks have also begun to address "weighty" issues with programs that show you how to cook healthy meals as well as reality shows where contestants try to lose weight. The popular "lose big" reality shows have Web sites where hundreds of folks participate by blogging and thousands more by reading the blogs.
We've also seen fictional TV series featuring plus-size actors and their real-life weight struggles. Think of shows such as "Roseanne" and "The King of Queens," for starters. One new series tells the story of a size-zero model who has a fatal car accident and is given a second chance in a plus-size attorney's body. (According to the show's Web site, the model must reconcile her "beauty queen ways with her brilliant new mind.")
On the one hand, it's great to see people of all shapes and sizes in such visible roles. On the other hand, what messages are these shows sending? Overweight people are funny? Overweight people have to be "big losers" to be winners? The only thing worse than being overweight is being dead?
Or is that making a mountain out of a molehill? Do these programs help you to put your life into better perspective? Do they provide positive role models?
Share your thoughts with us.
Jennifer
5 comments posted
October 15, 2009 11:44 a.m.
Try as I may, I can't imagine eating myself into obesity. I'm not obsessed with my appearance or health. It just seems idiotic. My best friends are overweight. They struggle to lose while enticing me to join them in overindulgence.
- Lori
October 14, 2009 6:23 a.m.
I've always thought "The Biggest Loser" was a highly offensive show. There is always the underlying sense that the people are being made fun of, both by the "trainers" and the way they are portrayed in post editing. I'm sure the team members are well compensated, which is why they are willing to put up with such a humiliating experience, but I believe this experience will ultimately have a negative impact on both the contestant and their viewers who may be struggling with weight issues.
- Matt
October 13, 2009 3:53 p.m.
Regardless of the format, reality and talk shows air considerable information regarding obesity and health issues. I learn more when the statistics have a human face. To witness someone's transformation creates a tangible, achieveable goal. I've never been exceedingly heavy, but did reach 189 at my peak weight. When I looked at the charts, I realized I was overweight and near "obese". That was my wake up call! No matter how many times I've heard about a food journal, calorie intake, exercise... it finally rang true for me with these TV programs. Now, I take the daily challenge to watch what I eat every day of my life!
- Gloria
October 10, 2009 11:08 a.m.
Hi Jennifer, I agree that these programs perpetuate stereotypes and also place too much emphasis on weight and dieting. I believe that our country's obsession with dieting and body size is much of the reason we have such high incidences of obesity, eating disordered and overall disordered eating. I do agree that it's refreshing to see all shapes and sizes adorn the TV screen -- I just wish the shows didn't have to focus on their size and weight issues rather than what lies beneath. Thanks for sharing this insightful article! Best, August McLaughlin, CN
- August
October 8, 2009 9:59 p.m.
I agree with everything in this article. I work at a Call Center and all we do all day is sit all day answering calls. I was inspired by a "lose big" reality show on television. I started a similar program here at work. It has been an extreme success since people are very motivated thanks to the television shows.
- WRCICALL
5 comments posted