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| This Week's Titles: |
| Pregnant
Women Need Good Nutrition |
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Farmers Face Tight Planting
Schedule |
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| March
Rains Did Not Ease Drought |
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| Many
People Could Have Pre-Diabetes |
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| Small
Children Could Still Get Choked |
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| Pregnant
Women Need Good Nutrition |
1:37 |
Good nutrition matters today
and in the future when a baby is on the way. |
When the official word
comes a new baby can be expected in the coming months, the news
is met with excitement and anticipation. There's a lot to be
done to get ready for the new addition, but a nutrition specialist
with the University of Georgia Extension Service says don't
overlook the importance of good nutrition. She adds a growing
problem is obesity among pregnant women, which can lead to several
problems or complications. "Includes women who are overweight
are more likely to develop gestational diabetes or diabetes
that occurs during pregnancy, or a condition called pre-eclampsia,
which is a condition in which the blood pressure gets really
high and endangers the mother and the babies life, and more
likely to need a caesarean section." Marilyn Wright with the
College of Family and Consumer Sciences. The university scientists
goes on to say proper diet and nutrition are important and should
be considered before and during pregnancy. Adequate intake of
important vitamins and minerals support growth and development,
both now and in the future. John Harell, University of Georgia
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting
from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Farmers
Face Tight Planting Schedule |
1:43 |
It looks like Georgia farmers
will walk a tight time line as the 2002 crop year begins. |
Many farmers will have
to wait at least until the end of April to get the federal programs
they need to make this year's final planting decisions. Farmers
must wait because public discussion on the new farm bill won't
begin until mid-April. Don Shurley, an Agricultural Economist
with the University of Georgia Extension Service says it's still
not clear whether a new farm bill will be passed before peanuts,
cotton, and other crops are planted. He adds the current farm
bill would cover this growing season if Congress is unable to
pass a new farm bill. "That's correct, the current farm bill
that we're under which was passed in 1996, that was a seven
year bill. So 2002 would be the final crop under the current
farm bill so it's not like we don't have a bill we do, we've
got one that goes through the 2002 crop year." Don Shurley with
the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. A new
farm bill this year would be better for Georgia cotton farmers.
It could mean a difference of as much as ten cents per pound
in program payments. Getting a new farm bill passed would also
provide several economic benefits for some peanut farmers this
year. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| March
Rains Did Not Ease Drought |
1:37 |
The 2002 growing season will
begin under drought conditions. |
Most of the state saw an
increase in rainfall during the month of March. Most of the
rains fell in North Georgia, but Central and South Georgia cashed
in on the much needed moisture. David Stooksbury, the State
Climatologist and Professor of Engineering at the University
of Georgia says the March rains improved top soil moisture,
but we will need April showers to keep moisture levels up. "The
rain in March was helpful. It has bought us some time. Unless
rains continue however, we will quickly return to very dry conditions
across the entire state." David Stooksbury with the College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The State Climatologist
adds the state needs more rain in April because May is normally
one of the driest months of the year. There is also concern,
because several long range weather models are predicting a summer
that will be hotter and drier than normal. John Harrell, University
of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Many
People Could Have Pre-Diabetes |
1:38 |
Many people in Georgia may
have pre-diabetes. |
Medical experts believe
around 16 million Americans have pre-diabetes. Connie Crawley,
a Nutrition Specialist with the University of Georgia Extension
Service says this is a new medical term. Pre-diabetes describes
a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal,
but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetic. She adds
it is affecting children and teens as well as adults, and increases
the risk for other serious health problems. "When we find that
people have slightly elevated blood glucose levels, or blood
sugar levels, that it does increase the risk for having a heart
attack or stroke as well as having diabetes." Connie Crawley
with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. If you are
over the age of 45 and overweight, testing for pre-diabetes
should be part of your regular physical exam by a physician.
The university scientist adds losing some of those extra pounds
and doing moderate exercise thirty minutes or more at least
five days a week could reverse pre-diabetes. John Harrell, University
of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Small
Children Could Still Get Choked |
1:22 |
Simple, small objects could
cause young children to get choked |
Every year children die
in Georgia and the U.S. because they got choked on small objects
and food. Diane Bales, a Human Development Specialist with the
University of Georgia Extension Service says certain foods can
be dangerous. "Yes, foods can be dangerous, particular for children
under about age five, things like grapes, and hot dogs, round
carrot slices, hard candy, things like that can be a big choking
hazard." Diane Bales with the College of Family and Consumer
Sciences. The university scientist advises parents to keep meal
times calm, while the children eat. Never let children eat while
they are walking or running. If you have round foods like hot
dogs and raw carrots, cut them up into small pieces so your
children can chew them easily, and reduce the chances of getting
choked. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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