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Amanda Merck

Merck completed her MPH with a concentration in Physical Activity and Health. She curates content for Salud America! (@SaludAmerica), a Latino childhood obesity prevention project based at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio. She focuses on the latest research, resources, and stories related to policy, systems, and environmental changes to enhance equitable access to safe places for kids and families to walk, bike, and play.

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Articles by Amanda Merck

3 Superfoods to Start Eating Again



Some people don't know what foods are or aren't nutritious, and how it affects their weight. Manuel Villacorta, a registered dietitian, said in a Fox News Latino article that some of his clients have sworn off certain beneficial and healthy foods because they have heard they are “fattening” or just not good for them. Here are three foods to start eating again, according to Villacorta: Eggs: While eggs have fat and cholesterol in them, it doesn't necessarily mean that eggs will harm your weight or your cardiovascular system. According to nutritionists, high cholesterol in your diet isn't the cause of high serum cholesterol in your bloodstream. Eggs are high in protein, good for maintaining muscle mass which helps manage your metabolism and weight. Some studies have shown that ...

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The State of Salud America!



A lot is new at Salud America!, a Latino childhood obesity prevention network funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and directed by the Institute for Health Promotion Research at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio (the team behind SaludToday). See it all in our latest e-newsletter: New Research: Our latest research has released several new packages of materials to highlight obesity issues and how to address them among Latino children. Digital Content Curation: Check out our new scientific article that explains how we “curate” Latino health. Program Update: New funding ($1.3 million), engagement strides, even awards. New Salud Heroes: Sugary drinks, active spaces, farmers markets. For example, how did Berkeley, Calif., become the nation’s first city ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 3/15/16: How Kids Can Eat Healthy in Child Care and Afterschool Settings



One of four U.S. kids already is overweight or obese by ages 2-5 (even more among Latinos), making it critical find ways to help kids achieve a healthy weight early on. The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is one taking steps to meet this goal by providing nutritious meals and snacks to more than 4 million children in child care centers, family care homes, and after-school programs. On March 15, 2016, use #SaludTues to tweet with us about the importance of healthy foods and drinks for children in celebration of CACFP Week, March 13-19: WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: How Kids Can Eat Healthy in Child Care and Afterschool Settings TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT), Tuesday, March 15, 2016 WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: @SaludToday CO-HOSTS: The ...

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3 Simple Ways to Feel Happier Today


latina woman smiling mental health

Are you feeling blue? You’re not alone. Data shows that over 300 million people globally are affected by some form of depression. Here are three simple ways to start feeling happier today: Smile Smiling can immediately change your mood. Research has proven that, when we grin, the muscles around the face signal the brain that we’re happy. Experts suggest that when you’re feeling down instead of frowning just smile for a minute, you’ll notice the difference! Be Thankful Many studies have shown that gratitude is not only linked to happiness but also to overall health. When you’re feeling sad, think about all the wonderful things in your life that you are thankful for. Take a walk or exercise Going for a walk or a jog can immediately give you a boost of ...

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What’s Out There Houston Weekend Free Tours



On March 12 and 13, 2016, The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF) is hosting What's Out There Houston Weekend free tours to discover the landscape architecture-led transformation going on in Houston. Expert-led tours of approximately 30 sites (see below) will look at Houston's unique collection of cultural landscapes, including historic parks and projects currently underway. Confirmed tours around the city include: Allen Center, Antioch Park, Bagby Park, Bayou Bend, Broadacres, Buffalo Bayou Park and the Sabine Promenade, Christ Church Cathedral, City Centre, Discovery Green, Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park, Glenwood Cemetery, Gragg Park, Hermann Park and McGovern Centennial Gardens & Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion, Hermann Square, Houston Arboretum and Nature ...

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Make ‘Jugo Verde,’ a Tasty, Healthy Treat for National School Breakfast Week!



Parents, need ideas for a healthy, tasty breakfast? Try the easy-to-make Jugo Verde (Green Juice) by San Antonio Chef Johnny Hernandez! Watch his cooking demo: Jugo Verde (quick version) Jugo Verde (step-by-step instructions and guidance) Chef Johnny conducted the cooking demonstration for a new campaign by Salud America! to promote the importance of nutritious breakfasts at school and at home. For the campaign, we invite you to snap a picture of you and/or your child having breakfast at home or at school and share it using #SaludNSBW / #NSBW16 on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for your chance to win a T-shirt and jump rope! Salud America!, a Latino childhood obesity network funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and led by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez of the ...

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How Much Caffeine is Too Much to Drink?


coffee

Caffeine is a daily part of life for many Americans. Almost 85% of the adult population drink at least one caffeinated beverage a day, according to data. Latinos drink the most—67% of all Latino adults drink at least one a day, NBC Latino reports. But how much caffeine is safe? March is National Caffeine Awareness Month, a good time to learn about this popular alkaloid commonly found in coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, and now found in unexpected places such as ice creams and over-the-counter pain medicines. Caffeine, which acts as a stimulant on the central nervous system, is found naturally in over 60 plants, like coffee beans, tea leaves, and in cacao (the base for chocolate). It also can be produced synthetically. Moderate consumption has some positive ...

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6 Ways Economic Opportunity and the Culture of Health are Moving Forward Together



In a unique role-reversal, John C. Williams, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, talked about health, and Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), talked about finance, at the National Interagency Community Reinvestment Conference (NICRC) in Los Angeles in February, 2015. The pair agrees that, "you can’t expect to succeed if you separate poverty, economic prosperity and health." The Build Healthy Places Network represents cross-sector perspectives, expertise and advocacy at the intersection of community development and health. They also believe that problems can't be solved in isolation-economic, health, educational, jobs, but must be approached from a cross-sector approach. They take the cross-sector ...

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Hey San Antonio, Want to Build a Better Broadway?



In 2015, local organizations, private property owners and developers, cultural institutions, and various other stakeholders moved forward on their plans to make Broadway a more vibrant, complete street designed for people rather than for cars. They started by obtaining funds to conduct a conceptual studies and schematic design and are now in the process of a Build Your Own Broadway Ideas Competition-a design competition to turn Broadway into a thriving urban boulevard hosted by Centro San Antonio, the Rivard Report, Overland Partners and the Pearl. Although a complete streets ordinance was passed in San Antonio (63.2% Latino) in September, 2011, and a Vision Zero goal was adopted by City leaders in September 2015, San Antonio falls short in many walkability, bikability, and safety ...

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