Oregon schools will not replace the weeks of traditional classroom instruction students are missing with online classes or another substitute while schools are shuttered until April 28.

The reasons why boil down to two words: Access and equity.

Protecting student rights has to be front and center during the conversation about distance learning, Marc Siegel, spokesman for the Oregon Department of Education, told The Oregonian/OregonLive in an email. You cannot open a brick-and-mortar school in Oregon unless it is accessible to every student in their school district. The same rules apply to an online school.

The states public schools are not equipped to do that for special education students, those who speak English as a second language, students who lack computers or internet access and others with special circumstances during the shutdown, he noted.

Our students with disabilities and specialized needs, by law, require specially designed instruction, Siegel said. If a school opens to serve its communitys students, it must be able to provide those specialized instruction services.

Early in the states coronavirus outbreak, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown ordered all the states public schools to cancel seven school days bracketing spring break. Five days later, she extended the closure by four weeks, citing a need to slow the spread of the virus and minimize deaths.

Schools can, and in most cases will, offer suggestions for optional learning activities that students and families can engage in during the nearly six-week stretch until classes are scheduled to resume.

Districts across the state have adopted their own approaches.

Officials in the Salem-Keizer district will have an online portal for students and parents to download supplemental lessons that wont be graded, according to The Salem Reporter. In Tigard, Tualatin and Portland, district officials are distributing homework packets at meal sites.

Portland Public Schools, the states largest district, also has a patchwork of online lessons meant to keep kids engaged while school is out. Beaverton district officials are updating their recommendations for learning in each grade on a daily basis.

Portland Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero stressed the online lessons his district suggests wont be graded, nor will they replace classroom instruction. That appears to be the case statewide.

We need to do some additional thinking on how we might support engagement between students and teachers, Guerrero said. But distance learning is never going to be a substitute for the in-person relationship that really makes for a school community.

Many Oregon students lack a computer or tablet at home.

To help Portland families, Guerrero said the district will make available some of the 45,000 devices at its disposal. And on Tuesday, Portland school officials set up a form that allows families to request a computer to access its online resources.

When St. Marys Academy announced its own closure in an effort to stem the spread of coronavirus, the private high school both noted each of students is assigned an iPad at the start of their freshman year.

None of the lessons that school districts are posting on web sites or emailing to families are expect to advance students through the normal learning tracks their teachers would have led them through if school were in session. Neither the state nor individual school districts have the infrastructure to ensure students are progressing as normal.

What happens in our classrooms every day cannot be stood-up in a few days and be expected to replicate the learning and care that is delivered in our schools, Siegel said.

Guerrero noted that not all of his teachers, particularly educators who historically havent used technology in the classroom, are trained in running online courses.

Were about 10 years behind everyone else, he said.

Guerrero also said hes more worried about feeding kids and keeping them engaged than preparing them for state and national standardized tests.

How can you expect a student to perform on a test if they return to the classroom a day or a week before its administered? he said.

State education chief Colt Gill told The Oregonian/OregonLive his department is looking under every rock to seek federal waivers and flexibility.

In the meantime, the agency has assured districts that Browns order will not affect their funding so long as they continue providing meals to students, provide supplemental learning materials and pay their employees.

Gill also said his agency will work with the state school board and the governors office to adjust rules and seek statutory changes, although he did not specify what those will be.

We will not and cannot waive any individual students rights, Gill said. Every student in Oregon deserves equal and equitable access to their education.

Do you have a tip about Portland Public Schools? Email Eder at ecampuzano@oregonian.com or message either of the social accounts below.

--Eder Campuzano | 503-221-4344 | @edercampuzano

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.

Oregon's education reporters are looking for parents who would like to speak with a journalist about the effects coronavirus is having on families across the state. Would you like to chat with one of us? Fill out this form.

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Coronavirus closure wont lead to online classes in Oregon public schools. This is why - OregonLive

Microsoft Teams is down for many users across Europe. The Microsoft 365 Status Twitter account posted about the outage early this morning, stating that Microsoft is investigating messaging-related functionality problems. According to Downdetector the issues are primarily in Europe, though there are are few areas in North America, Africa, and Asia with issues.

No outage is good for an online service, but this one has particularly bad timing because many people will work from home this week due to coronavirus (COVID-19). Many people plan to work from home this week to reduce the risk of spreading the virus, including online workers, educators, and students. The Verge points out that some schools in the Netherlands asked students to use Microsoft Teams today to ask digital questions.

Microsoft Teams will likely receive heavy usage this week due to remote working and education, so Microsoft will have to make sure the service can handle the increased workload. There's a chance that the current outage is caused by increased demand for the service, though Microsoft has not stated the cause of the outage at this time. We'll update this article with any details Microsoft reveals on the current outage.

This is the second major outage for Microsoft Teams this year, though the first one happened because Microsoft forgot to renew an SSL security certificate.

Three more countries are getting in on the ECG fun when watchOS 6.2 arrives next week.

Logitech's new Combo Touch Keyboard Case with Trackpad for iPad is now available from Apple.

Apple's Afterburner Card for Mac Pro is now available as a standalone purchase from its website.

These fitness trackers are the cream of the crop when it comes to health and fitness tracking for triathlon training. Which tracker will you need? Here's what our research shows.

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Microsoft Teams is down, affecting remote workers and online education - iMore

BEIJING, March 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- China Online Education Group ("51 Talk" or the "Company") (NYSE: COE), a leading online education platform in China, with core expertise in English education, today announced its participation in the following investor conferences:

These will be live, interactive online events where investors are invited to ask the company management questions in real-time. For additional information, please contact your respective institutional sales representative at each sponsoring bank.

About China Online Education Group

51Talk, or China Online Education Group (NYSE: COE), is a leading online education platform inChina, with core expertise in English education. The Company's mission is to make quality education accessible and affordable. The Company's online and mobile education platforms enable students acrossChinato take live one-on-one interactive English lessons with overseas foreign teachers, on demand. The Company connects its students with a large pool of highly qualified foreign teachers that it assembled using a shared economy approach, and employs student and teacher feedback and data analytics to deliver a personalized learning experience to its students.

For more information, please visit http://ir.51talk.com.

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SOURCE China Online Education Group

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China Online Education Group to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences - Yahoo Finance

Last week, with students scattered throughout Europe during spring break, administrators of Lithuania-based LCC International University scrambled. The week began with leaders hoping the 600 or so students on campus72 percent of whom are from outside Lithuaniawould stay out of Italy, a coronavirus hot zone. By weeks end, with coronavirus spreading and much of Europe locking down, they feared what would happen when students returned from places like Germany, France, Spain, and the Netherlands.

What are we bringing back to campus now? asked LCC International President Dr. Marlene Wall.

The Christian liberal arts schools coronavirus task force had already decided to move to online-only education because of the pandemic. But leaders needed more action if returning students brought coronavirus back to campus, situated near the Baltic Sea in Klaipda, Lithuania. On Saturday LCC International staff turned the universitys gymnasium into a quarantine zone. They carried in mattresses, partitioned off parts of the gym, and prepared food bags for anyone needing isolation.

No one has needed the quarantine zone yet. But its there if they do. About half of LCC Internationals students were able to go home or self-isolate elsewhere, but the rest are still on campus, holed up in dorms. LCC staff have removed couches in common areas to discourage students from gathering. Most have access to dorm kitchens to cook. But faculty and staff keep helping. On Monday night they prepared soup for students left on campus. Instead of eating all at once in a common area, students retrieved the food in small groups. The most important thing for us is to express our Christian identity as we care for students on campus, Wall said.

With borders closed, those students are likely stuck on campus until the end of the semester. LCC International transitioned to online-only classes fairly easily, Wall said. But the coronavirus pandemic forced colleges and universities to make flash decisions about educating students while containing the spread of COVID-19, the respiratory disease the coronavirus causes. In some cases studentsand their parentshad to decide how to act too.

Colleges began making decisions quickly. On March 10, three members of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) hadtransitioned to online-only classes. By March 13, that number grew to 30 members. As of March 16, that number spiked to 85 of CCCUs 180 members.

One of the highest-profile Christian universities decided Monday to move to online-only education for the rest of the semester. Located in Lynchburg, Va., Liberty University (which is not a CCCU member) made the decision after Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam banned gatherings of 100 or more students. But the move came after other institutions announced their own changes. In a series of tweets Sunday, Liberty President Jerry Falwell Jr. announced the schools stance, saying he didnt want to send studentswho can better withstand COVID-19into homes with older adults who might have more complications. One man on Twitter questioned the move and said he is the father of three Liberty students. Falwell tweeted back at him with an explanation and called him a dummy.

By Monday, more than 9,000 people had signed an online petition urging Liberty to transition to online-only classes.

At least one parent didnt wait for Liberty to shift online before getting his daughter home. David Cortwright said his daughter, a sophomore at Liberty, flew home to Austin, Texas, Sunday morning. When other campuses across the country began canceling in-person classes, he and his family expected Libertys announcement to come soon. But it didnt.

His daughter quickly packed one suitcase, a backpack, and a carry-on bag and flew home. She spent one night in the Orlando airport so she could make an early-morning connection. The rest of her belongings are still in her dorm room.

Libertys online education program is one of the most robust in the country. Cortwright didnt understand why the school waited so long to announce the transition, especially when other Virginia schools were: Why would Virginia Tech take that step and not the premiere Christian university, who has the industry-leading online program?

Many colleges had monitored the COVID-19 spread. But the wave of closures last week forced colleges to act fast.

The Kings College, a Christian liberal arts school in New York City, acted faster than its leaders had originally planned. Emergency management is part of my background, President Tim Gibson said. And Ive seen some real parallels coming into higher education.

Gibson had a career in the Air Force before entering higher education in 2016 and becoming president of The Kings College in 2017. Administrators there sent their first communication to students about coronavirus on Feb. 6. As COVID-19 spread, they decided to take spring breakthis week,begin online-only classes for a week, then come back to campus on March 30.

But they shelved that plan on March 11, when they began three days of online-only classes heading into spring break. Then on Friday, President Donald Trump addressed the country with an update, and Kingsshifted all classes online the rest of the semester.

We had mentally already committed to the idea that we were going to be teaching online the week after spring break, Gibson said. So we had already considered the possibility that we would be doing this for a long time.

Kings was able to move quickly because administrators adapted an inclement weather plan to the coronavirus situation, Gibson said: The pacing just really accelerated.

He also said leaders of other Christian colleges and universities communicate constantly about how each schoolresponds to similar situations. And the CCCU encourages members to share resources and best practices with each other.

Christian colleges and universities tend to really work together, Gibson said. We realize its not just about the individual purpose of our institution.

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Inside the outbreak: Coronavirus at college - WORLD - WORLD News Group

BOISE In response to updated COVID-19 guidance from Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for public events, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game has temporarily waived the requirement to attend an in-person field day for online hunter education certification.

The temporary waiver allows students who complete the online course the ability to gain certification and purchase a hunting license. The cost of the online course is $24.50 and can be taken at http://www.hunter-ed.com/idaho/. Classes are available to anyone nine years or older.

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The public safety of our instructors, staff, and students are our primary concerns," Fish and Games Hunter Education Manager Brenda Beckley said. We have seen an increased interest in our hunter education classes, and want to maintain a path for the public to gain certification. By temporarily waiving the in-person field day, we can follow health recommendations for social distancing while still providing necessary instruction and certification.

While many states across the nation have allowed for online certification, Idaho has maintained an in-person requirement to review Idaho-specific topics such as local regulations, specie identification, and gun safety.

While we recognize the value of the firearm safety information provided in the online course, we are encouraging students to seek out a mentor to reinforce safe firearm handling and hunting safety,Beckley said.

We'll send breaking news and news alerts to you as as they happen!

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Online Hunter Education temporarily waives field day, allowing certification to continue uninterrupted - Twin Falls Times-News

The very low carb, high fat, moderate protein ketogenic diet has been linked to a long list of potential health benefits, ranging from improved blood sugar control to decreased hunger levels (1, 2).

However, its effect on athletic performance remains a subject of controversy.

While some claim that keto can boost fat burning and enhance endurance, others note that it could drain energy levels and make muscle growth more challenging.

This article reviews some of the ways that the ketogenic diet could affect your workout.

Studies show that the ketogenic diet may improve several aspects of athletic performance.

Although the ketogenic diet may not be suitable for high intensity bursts of activity, some studies have found that it may enhance performance for endurance athletes.

For example, one study in 39 athletes noted that being in a metabolic state of ketosis improved physical endurance due to the bodys ability to use fat as an alternative source of energy (3).

However, this was observed in the context of providing ketone supplements not through following the ketogenic diet.

Another study in 20 endurance athletes had similar findings, reporting that following a ketogenic diet for 12 weeks improved performance, body composition, and fat burning during exercise (4).

Whats more, one review reported that increased levels of ketone bodies from supplements may speed muscle recovery and reduce the breakdown of protein following endurance exercise (5).

On the other hand, some research has found that it could negatively affect performance in endurance athletes by impairing energy utilization and speeding time to exhaustion (6, 7).

Therefore, more studies are needed to determine whether the ketogenic diet offers any added benefits over other diets for endurance athletes.

Some research indicates that following a ketogenic diet may help boost fat burning during exercise.

In fact, one small study in competitive race walkers showed that the diet increased the bodys ability to burn fat while working out, even during a range of different intensities of physical activity (6).

However, the ketogenic diet ultimately impaired exercise performance in these athletes.

Another study in 22 athletes found that switching to a ketogenic diet increased fat burning over a 4-week period (8).

Of course, its important to keep in mind that the ketogenic diet comprises mostly fat, which may explain why more fat is burned during exercise.

Additionally, note that fat contains a significantly higher number of calories per gram than carbs or protein (9).

Therefore, just like any other diet, creating a calorie deficit by adjusting your intake to consume fewer calories than you burn is still necessary if youre looking to lose weight on the ketogenic diet (10).

Several studies have found that the ketogenic diet could help speed up post-workout muscle recovery.

For instance, one small study reported that the ketogenic diet led to self-perceived improvements in recovery and inflammation after exercise in five athletes (7).

However, its important to note that they also experienced reductions in other measures of performance, and there was no control group, which could skew results (7).

Another study in off-road cyclists noted that the ketogenic diet reduced levels of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase two enzymes used to measure muscle damage (11).

Furthermore, a mouse study showed that following a ketogenic diet for 8 weeks increased muscle recovery following exhaustive exercise (12).

Limited research suggests that the keto diet could benefit endurance, fat burning, and muscle recovery but may impair other aspects of performance. More research is needed to determine whether it may be more beneficial than other diets in this regard.

Although there are several potential benefits of the ketogenic diet for exercise performance, there are a few drawbacks to consider as well.

The ketogenic diet involves severely restricting your intake of carbs, which are your bodys main source of energy.

Therefore, switching to a ketogenic diet can negatively affect athletic performance and energy levels, especially as your body first begins adapting to using fat for fuel instead of carbs.

One small study in five people evaluated the effects of the ketogenic diet on athletic performance over 10 weeks. At the beginning of the study, athletes experienced decreased energy levels, which gradually increased back to normal over time.

Although they also experienced weight loss and self-perceived improvements in recovery and inflammation, they had difficulty performing high intensity bouts of activity throughout the study (7).

Whats more, other research suggests that increased levels of ketones in the blood could increase feelings of fatigue and decrease the desire to exercise (13, 14).

While the ketogenic diet may be fine if youre looking to maintain muscle mass, maximizing muscle growth may be a bit more challenging.

This is partially because muscle growth requires a good amount of protein, which is necessary to promote muscle synthesis and tissue repair (15).

Although exact macronutrient ratios can vary on the ketogenic diet, some versions of the diet may involve restricting protein intake.

Additionally, ketogenic diets are often low in calories, which can make it more difficult to consume enough protein and build muscle mass.

Consuming a higher number of calories than you expend throughout the day is necessary to maximize muscle growth (16).

The ketogenic diet can be low in calories, which could make it harder to increase your muscle mass. It may also decrease energy levels, especially when first getting started.

Carbs are the main source of energy for high intensity activities, such as sprinting, boxing, swimming laps, or jumping rope (17).

Therefore, following a low carb ketogenic diet may not be well suited for these types of activity.

Instead, try incorporating a variety of low intensity, steady state activities into your workout routine to get the most bang for your buck on the ketogenic diet.

Jogging, biking, rowing, and doing yoga are just a few examples of physical activities that may be especially beneficial on keto.

While you can also include any other activities that you enjoy as part of your workout routine, you may find some high intensity exercises a bit more difficult on the ketogenic diet.

The ketogenic diet may be better suited for low intensity, steady state forms of physical activity than high intensity bursts of exercise.

Some research suggests that the ketogenic diet might speed muscle recovery, boost fat burning, and enhance endurance.

On the other hand, it could impair muscle growth and reduce energy levels, especially during high intensity bouts of physical activity.

Sticking to low intensity, steady state activities during your workout is a simple strategy that can help maximize the many potential benefits of the ketogenic diet.

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Working Out on Keto: All You Need to Know - Healthline

Weightlifter Kate Nye's Diet and Exercise Routine

Kate Nye knew for a long time that she wanted to be an Olympian. Growing up a gymnast, she said, she naturally had "this fascination about the Olympic Games." At age 15, though, injury and surgery led her to give up on gymnastics and fall into a self-described athletic limbo. "I didn't really know where I fit in since that was the only sport I did for so long."

Nye started doing CrossFit to stay in shape, and her coach nudged her into competitive weightlifting. In her first national competition, the Youth Nationals in 2016, Nye ended up earning a bronze. "That's when I kind of realized," Nye said: though she enjoyed CrossFit, she knew she was more "messing around" with it. "I had an actual talent in weightlifting." She started competing seriously and ended up falling head over heels. "I fell in love with the training and competing, and it was the best decision I've ever made."

That's no exaggeration. Nye holds all of the American records at her 71-kilogram weight class and is a 2019 world champion in both types of Olympic lifts, snatch and clean & jerk, as well as total, which is derived by combining a lifter's successful lifts in a single competition. In 2019, she also became the first American to be named the Best Woman Lifter of 2019 by the International Weightlifting Federation.

Now, Nye has her sights set on making the 2020 Olympic weightlifting team, which means she needs to up her game even more. Literally: Nye's normal 71 kg division isn't offered at the Olympics. Instead she'll be going up to the 76 kg class, which means she's working to gain weight through her diet while keeping up her strength in training. Nye talked to POPSUGAR about what that looks like, from the gym to the kitchen, and how she's staying focused on making it to Tokyo in a few short months.

Nye works out six to eight times a week in a combination of three different kinds of workouts: strength, technique, and accessory lifts. Strength-wise, she works on getting stronger through squats, deadlifts, and pressing. "We're usually doing a cycle of squats," Nye explained. "Maybe front squats, maybe back squats, maybe high-volume, maybe low-volume. The core of it is the strength aspect." (The "front" and "back" refer to where you hold the barbell: with front squats, the barbell is across your chest; during back squats, you hold it behind your head and across your shoulders.)

For technique work, Nye finesses her form in the two competitive lifts: the snatch and the clean & jerk. The snatch requires the lifter to heave the barbell up from the ground and over their head in a single motion, starting in a squat and coming to a stand. (Watch Kate set a junior world record in the snatch here.) In the clean & jerk, lifters use two motions to get the bar over their head, first lifting the bar from the floor to a front-racked squat and stand ("the clean") and then shifting the bar overhead ("the jerk"). Here's what a clean & jerk looks like. Still with us? "We're doing usually tons of variations to fix technique problems I have" in both lifts, Kate explained.

You might not do snatches or clean & jerks in your everyday weights workout (although they probably sound familiar if you're a CrossFitter). The accessory work that Nye does to "strengthen the little muscles," though, will sound familiar: Romanian deadlifts, single leg squats, and overhead presses.

Last but not least: core work. "Since I was a gymnast, I know every ab exercise ever made," Nye joked. Her current favorite is the dead bug, a move that targets the full core and works on stabilization at the same time. "They're kind of fun and not very intense, which is good for me."

Diet-wise, Nye focuses on eating intuitively. "I don't track anything. I eat what I need as an athlete." She gets six to eight ounces of protein in every meal, usually ground beef, chicken thighs, and sausage. "I eat protein that has more fat in it, since I'm not cutting weight," Nye explained. She'll add a couple cups of carbs as well as veggies. Well, "We try to do veggies. We need to work on that!" she said. For a healthy fat, Nye said guacamole is her go-to. She avoids protein powder and said she tries to keep her diet "as whole as possible."

From diet to training to her mental health, all of Nye's focus is on making it to the 2020 Summer Olympics. In order to get there, she said, "you've got to do the work to max potential. I think that's the best way to put it. You've got to keep striving for that next kilogram on the barbell."

To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, visit teamusa.org. The Tokyo Olympics begin July 24 on NBC, and the Tokyo Paralympics begin Aug. 23 on NBC.

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The Workout Routine and Intuitive Diet of a CrossFitter Turned World Champ Weightlifter - POPSUGAR

However, she quickly added, Maintaining weight loss can get easier over time. Over time, less intentional effort, though not no effort, is needed to be successful. After about two years, healthy eating habits become part of the routine. Healthy choices become more automatic the longer people continue to make them. They feel weird when they dont.

On the other hand, perfection is not realistic and can be self-defeating, Dr. Phelan said. Successful maintainers know there will be lapses. But they also know they can recover from lapses and how to get back on track. They accept slips and dont engage in black-and-white thinking like I was bad, an attitude that is self-defeating. Rather, they know there will be ups and downs, and they have a plan for coping with lapses thats empowering.

A personal example from one who lost a third of her body weight and kept it off for half a century: I anticipate and plan for the times when I expect to be confronted with culinary largess. Im a little more abstemious beforehand, enjoy the indulgence and get back to normal the next day.

Rather than constant deprivation and self-denial, I practice moderation. The studys co-author, Gary Foster, who is chief scientific officer for WW, explained that in the WW program, Everything is on the menu. Fad diets are overly restrictive, which dooms them from the onset. We advocate moderation, were anti-dieting. People have to find habits and routines that make long-term weight loss sustainable.

And as many of the successful weight maintainers in the study reported, time and practice have permanently modified what I find appealing, so I rarely feel deprived and have less need to exercise self-denial all the time. I do admit, though, that Im less good at ignoring cravings than many in the new study are. Im more likely to give in but control the amount I consume.

What I may be best at is monitoring my weight. I weigh myself every day and keep within a range of two or three pounds. Nearly all the successful maintainers in the study weigh themselves weekly or more often, which makes it easier to self-correct before the numbers on the scale rise significantly.

Dr. Foster said, Whats on your mind is as important as whats on your plate. Weight management is something you do for yourself because youre valuable, youre worth taking care of.

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How to Lose Weight and Keep It Off - The New York Times

Just like being overweight for humans can lead to serious health conditionsthe same applies to dogs. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP),55.8% of dogs are classified as over weight. To make matters worse, 95% of owners dont even know their pets are overweight, which the APOP refers to as the fat pet gap.

Dr. Alex Schechter, DVMatPure Paws Veterinary Care of Hells Kitchentells me, Dog obesity is a major problem with our New York dog population. Limited exercise, high calorie intake, and non-nutritious foods tend to be the major culprits.In general, most pet parents actually think an overweight dog is a normal healthy baseline.

The Farmer's Dog

Its very prevalent, Dr. Joseph Martins DVM and Certified Fear Free Professional atBelle Mead Animal Hospitaltells me of the dog obesity he sees in his practice. My guesstimate is over 50% of dogs and cats are overweight and over 20% are obese.So 70-80% of pets weigh too much and this problem is growing. Its getting worse nationwide every year and especially the past few years.

So what makes a dog obese, what kind of health issues can obesity cause, and with all the brands popping up promoting whole food diets for dogs are these a viable solution?

The American Kennel Club says that figuring out whether your dog is overweight or not is a matter of both appearance of the body constitution and touch. You should be able to feel your dogs ribs when you press the sides of their body. Extra weight can lead to a variety of issues including Type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, a range of orthopedic issues, skin disease, heart and respiratory disease, and even decreased life expectancy.

The Farmer's Dog

While there arent many lifetime studies on dogs, Martins tells me, There is one on Labrador retrievers that shows that labs who are over fed get overweight and consequently get more painful arthritis at earlier ages. Many of these pets require life long arthritis meds for pain years earlier than if they were kept lean. Another shocking part of this study also showed that 50% of overweight dogs were dead by 10 years of age and that dogs kept at an ideal weight lived 2-3 years longer than overweight dogs. This is a huge statistical fact every pet owner needs to knowlean dogs on average live years longer.

Schechter is a fan ofThe Farmers Dog, a breed-specific customized dog food made from fresh ingredients thats delivered to your door, for his adult dog patients because he believes the nutritional value of fresh food is far superior than processed dog food. I recommend The Farmer's Dog for all of my adult patients. I think they have revolutionized the pet food industry with a simple conceptfeed our pets fresher nutritious foods. We vaccinate our patients to prevent disease and have them on monthly medication to prevent against gastrointestinal parasites and ticks. However, I think we often forget that food can also be preventative medicine!

Before and after pic of Jasmine

Pet owner Linda Glass transitioned to The Farmers Dog when her Dalmatian, Jasmine, who suffered from persistent diarrhea was diagnosed with various infections and put on antibiotics, but the diarrhea continued.I tried a variety of food changes and combinations, explains Glass. I added wet food to dry food. I even started boiling chicken and rice. Nothing worked. Then I came across an ad on Facebook for Farmers Dog. After the first week of eating their food, Jasmine went to the vet and she weighed 82 pounds. Two months later they weighed her at 64 pounds. The vet was so impressed. Her coat was shiny, she didnt have flaky skin, and she had very little shedding. I told the vet about the food change and provided them a leaflet with the ingredients, which is now part of her chart. Glass says the only thing that changed to achieve these results is the dog food and the diarrhea is gone. Its worth every penny.

Brett Podolsky, Co-founder ofThe Farmers Dogtells me, Weve heard thousands of success stories from customers over the years. Its one of the most rewarding parts of our day! Its a constant reminder that making a simple change from highly processed products to real, fresh food can have a transformational impact on health. We hear how easy it becomes for people to manage their dogs weight and help eliminate all kinds of other health issues like allergies and stomach problems.

The Farmer's Dog

Whats unique about The Farmers Dogs subscription-basedfresh food plans is that they allow people to tailor their dogs daily caloric intake to their very specific requirements based on breed, age, and a variety of other factors which are asked about during theonline questionnaire. Furthermore, the plan allows people to adapt their plan to their dogs changing needs.

A kibble bag offers broad, and vague guidelines that dont take into account an individual dogs needs, making it very easy to over-feed and kibble-bag guidelines will always err on the side of too much food, so you end up buying more, continues Podolsky. Dr. Ernie Ward who runs APOP has told us at Farmers Dog that hehears about so many pet owners feeding exactly what they suggest on the bag and those suggestions are too much.

The Farmers Dog is madefrom human-grade meat and vegetables that provides more bioavailable nutrients for a dog. Because our food is gently steamed, not processed multiple times at high heat like kibble, it also retains a lot of moisture and the natural nutrients from our whole food ingredients, which is another factor in keeping a dog healthy and satisfied, explains Podolsky. Kibble type dog foods, on the other hand, are dried and devoid of moisture, which is what allows for the long shelf life.

The Farmer's Dog

On why a customized diet is the way to go for our pets, Podolsky tells me, Customized plans allow people to precisely control their dogs caloric intake based on their very specific needs. If you have a 16-pound elderly Pug who needs to lose weight, thats a VERY different caloric demand than a 25-pound Rat Terrier who is younger and extremely active. Yet the guideline on a kibble bag might recommend that any dog between 16 and 25 pounds is fed between one and two cups. Thats a massive gap, and into that gap falls the health of too many dogs, even though the owner has the best intentions.

Martins is also a fan of whole food diets likeFreshpet,which creates meals from100% natural farm-raised poultry, beef and fish and incorporates fiber-packed vegetables and anti-oxidant rich fruits that are gently cooked without preservatives and kept refrigerated (and can be found at major retailers nationwide).

FreshPet

I am a fan of whole food diets like Freshpet that are properly nutritionally balanced using fresh ingredients that are prepared and cooked according to FDA and USDA standards, Martins tells me. Actually pets age 7-10 times faster than we do and dont live as long so maybe its even more important for them. So feeding fresh foods like Freshpet that are gently cooked but provide more moisture, high quality protein, more natural fiber, and highest quality antioxidants makes good sense and pets seem to feel better and look better.

Veterinary nutritionists know now more than ever that cats and dogs have their own species specific trace nutrient requirements different from each other and definitely different from humans, to keep their hearts and other vital organs healthy, continues Martins. Its imperative that owners know you cant just feed pets what people eat long term and keep up with their vital micronutrient needs.We are all constantly looking to keep our pets healthier, happier and living longer. One piece of the puzzle to do that right now is to keep pets from becoming overweight by feeding them the freshest, most balanced measured meals daily along with exercise.

Protein in the diet is essential for dogs. Dr. Gerardo Perez-Camargo DVM, VP of Research and Development at Freshpettells me,Freshpetdelivers to the pet twice the amount of protein and half the amount of carbohydrates than dry foods. Pets need protein to maintain, repair and grow muscle. Muscle is metabolically active, that means that it consumes energy.A dog with muscle will be able to burn more energy and maintain a healthier body weight than the same dog with a lower level of muscle in its body.

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Like The Farmers Dog, Freshpet has heard stories from thousands of pet parents whove experienced incredible transformations once their pets have transitioned to Freshpet. Pet parent Melissa Stewarts 9-year old overweight Chihuahua Benji had a complete turnaround with his weight once she switched over to Freshpet.She tells me, After switching, he slimmed down and acts like he did as a puppy! It really is a miracle! He loves to go on walks and can jump on to the couch again. Benji is a happy dog and so am I!

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With Dog Obesity Becoming More Prevalent Is A Whole Food Diet The Answer? - Forbes

Diets that contain a variety of fresh, nutrient-rich foods can help reduce feelings of fatigue. Such foods include kale, oats, and watermelon, among others.

However, some processed foods such as white bread and baked goods can worsen fatigue in some people.

Read on for more examples of foods that could help beat fatigue. This article also takes a look at foods and drinks to avoid, along with some general tips for boosting energy.

In general, foods that can help boost energy levels are fresh rather than highly processed. They also tend to be rich in nutrients.

Some examples include:

Whole eggs contain plenty of nutrients. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a typical egg contains 7 grams (g) of protein. It also provides 4% of the recommended daily intake of calcium and 6% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A.

Eggs are also a source of fats. According to the National Institute on Aging, fat provides energy and helps the body absorb vitamins.

Bananas are a good source of potassium, fiber, and carbohydrates. This combination of carbohydrates and fiber provides a long lasting source of energy.

In fact, according to one small study, trained cyclists who ate bananas performed equally to those who consumed sports drinks during a 47-mile time trial. The researchers concluded that bananas are a good source of energy, specifically before and during long periods of exercise.

Whole almonds are rich in nutrients such as fats, fiber, and protein. Both protein and fat provide a feeling of fullness and can help increase energy levels.

Almonds also contain vitamin E and magnesium. They make a great afternoon snack.

Watermelons are a great source of hydration. According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, watermelons are 92% water and contain vitamin C, vitamin A, and many other nutrients.

Dehydration can increase feelings of fatigue. However, a review from 2010 suggests that proper hydration increases mental alertness and improves well-being.

Kale is a leafy green vegetable rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and iron.

Red blood cells in the body contain iron. This mineral is essential for carrying oxygen around the body for cells to use as energy. For this reason, low levels of iron can cause a lack of energy.

According to the USDA, 1 cup of raw kale also contains plenty of potassium and vitamin A.

Spinach is another green leafy vegetable rich in iron. It is also high in vitamin K and magnesium.

Spinach and kale make an excellent combination in salads.

Chia seeds are rich in nutrients. For example, 1 ounce of chia seeds contains 4 g of protein, 11 g of fiber, and 9 g of fat.

Fiber is useful for preventing blood sugar spikes around meal times. Rapid changes in blood sugar levels are another possible cause of fatigue.

Oats are high in fiber and complex carbohydrates.

The body can easily break down refined carbohydrates and use them to provide a short-term energy boost. Sugar is one example of a refined carbohydrate.

However, complex carbohydrates are more difficult for the body to break down. This makes them a longer lasting source of energy.

Making some other lifestyle changes can also increase energy levels throughout the day.

For example, the American Council on Exercise suggest that regular exercise can prevent fatigue. A person should aim to exercise on 35 days per week.

Also, the National Sleep Foundation explain that a good nights sleep helps the body with:

These benefits can help maintain energy levels throughout the day.

Managing stress is another way to fight fatigue. Over time, chronic stress can cause symptoms such as tiredness and exhaustion. There are many things a person can try to reduce their stress levels, including meditation and exercise.

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Foods that beat fatigue: What to eat and other diet tips - Medical News Today