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19-09-05, 06:48 AM
<strong>What’s Your Core Score?
</strong>New Quiz Allows Consumers to Assess Their Digestive Health
BETHESDA, MD (March 12, 2003) If you’re not paying attention to the quality of your digestive health, you’re ignoring your body’s core – the vital part of your body that provides the delivery system for nutrients you consume.
To find out the quality of their digestive health, consumers can take the Core Score quiz, created by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). The quiz is featured on the Web sites of the AGA, www.gastro.org/corescore, and the California Dried Plum Board, www.californiadriedplums.org. The quiz is not intended to replace or supersede a physician’s advice</P>
. Do you experience any of the following symptoms — or some combination of them — at least once a month but no more
than two days a week? If so, add 25 points. If you experience these symptoms more than two days a week, add 50 points.
• Heartburn/abdominal pain • Nausea
• Diarrhea • Constipation
2. Do these gastrointestinal symptoms ever:
• Make it difficult to function normally? – Add 10 points
• Make you avoid certain foods? – Add 5 points
• Increase when you feel stressed? — Add 5 points
3. Which, if any, do you use to prevent or treat any health problems you might have? For each one add the appropriate points
based on how often you use the item.
Stool softeners/
laxatives
Once every few weeks + 5 pts.
About once or twice a week + 10 pts.
More than twice a week + 15 pts.
Anti-diarrhea products
Once every few weeks + 5 pts.
About once or twice a week + 10 pts.
More than twice a week + 15 pts.
Anti-nausea products
Once every few weeks + 5 pts.
About once or twice a week + 10 pts.
More than twice a week + 15 pts.
Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen
Once every few weeks + 5 pts.
About once or twice a week + 10 pts.
More than twice a week + 15 pts.
4. Consider what you eat and drink during a typical day. Usually, do you eat:
• Fewer than five servings of fruits or vegetables – Add 5 points
• Fewer than three servings of whole grain breads or cereals – Add 5 points
• More than two servings of butter, margarine, fatty meats, fried foods – Add 5 points
• Fewer than two servings of milk or milk products – Add 5 points
• More than two servings of concentrated sweets, such as regular soda,
fruit drinks, candy, cakes, and cookies – Add 5 points
• More than one drink of alcohol – Add 5 points
5. Have you unintentionally lost or gained five or more pounds in the past year?
a. Yes, lost – Add 10 points
b. Yes, gained – Add 10 points
c. No – Add 0 points
6. Finally, conduct the following calculation to determine your Body Mass Index or BMI*.
Then, add the appropriate number of points.
Multiply your weight (in pounds) times 703. Divide that figure by your height(in inches). Then, divide by height
(in inches) again.
For example, someone who weighs 110 pounds and is 5’2” would do the following:
110 X 703 = 77,330
77,330/62 inches = 1,247
1,247/62 inches = 20
BMI = 20
a. Less than 18.5 – Add 5 points
b. 18.5 or more, but less than 25 – Add 0 points
c. Between 25 and 30 – Add 10 points
d. Over 30 – Add 15 points
UNDERSTANDING YOUR SCORE:
This test is not intended to replace or supercede a physician’s advice. If you have questions about your digestive
health, see your physician or health care provider.
Digestive Strength – Score less than 15 points: Your answers reflect positive digestive health. Continue to
demonstrate good habits, like eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. This will help you
maintain a healthy weight and digestive system.
Digestive Warning – Score 15 - 50: There is room for improvement in your digestive health. Unintentional
weight loss and use of digestive remedies (like antacids or laxatives) may be signs of poor digestive health.
Take care to monitor your weight as well as your digestive health. If you experience prolonged bouts of
heartburn, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, see a doctor sooner rather than later.
Digestive Distress – Score of 50+: Poor digestive health is a cause for concern. It is time to reassess your
habits. Frequent digestive ailments (like heartburn, nausea, diarrhea or constipation), lack of dietary fiber,
and a BMI that is indicative of obesity could be putting you at risk. Take control of your digestive health.
See a doctor and/or learn more about habits and foods that can help</P>
</P>
</strong>New Quiz Allows Consumers to Assess Their Digestive Health
BETHESDA, MD (March 12, 2003) If you’re not paying attention to the quality of your digestive health, you’re ignoring your body’s core – the vital part of your body that provides the delivery system for nutrients you consume.
To find out the quality of their digestive health, consumers can take the Core Score quiz, created by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). The quiz is featured on the Web sites of the AGA, www.gastro.org/corescore, and the California Dried Plum Board, www.californiadriedplums.org. The quiz is not intended to replace or supersede a physician’s advice</P>
. Do you experience any of the following symptoms — or some combination of them — at least once a month but no more
than two days a week? If so, add 25 points. If you experience these symptoms more than two days a week, add 50 points.
• Heartburn/abdominal pain • Nausea
• Diarrhea • Constipation
2. Do these gastrointestinal symptoms ever:
• Make it difficult to function normally? – Add 10 points
• Make you avoid certain foods? – Add 5 points
• Increase when you feel stressed? — Add 5 points
3. Which, if any, do you use to prevent or treat any health problems you might have? For each one add the appropriate points
based on how often you use the item.
Stool softeners/
laxatives
Once every few weeks + 5 pts.
About once or twice a week + 10 pts.
More than twice a week + 15 pts.
Anti-diarrhea products
Once every few weeks + 5 pts.
About once or twice a week + 10 pts.
More than twice a week + 15 pts.
Anti-nausea products
Once every few weeks + 5 pts.
About once or twice a week + 10 pts.
More than twice a week + 15 pts.
Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen
Once every few weeks + 5 pts.
About once or twice a week + 10 pts.
More than twice a week + 15 pts.
4. Consider what you eat and drink during a typical day. Usually, do you eat:
• Fewer than five servings of fruits or vegetables – Add 5 points
• Fewer than three servings of whole grain breads or cereals – Add 5 points
• More than two servings of butter, margarine, fatty meats, fried foods – Add 5 points
• Fewer than two servings of milk or milk products – Add 5 points
• More than two servings of concentrated sweets, such as regular soda,
fruit drinks, candy, cakes, and cookies – Add 5 points
• More than one drink of alcohol – Add 5 points
5. Have you unintentionally lost or gained five or more pounds in the past year?
a. Yes, lost – Add 10 points
b. Yes, gained – Add 10 points
c. No – Add 0 points
6. Finally, conduct the following calculation to determine your Body Mass Index or BMI*.
Then, add the appropriate number of points.
Multiply your weight (in pounds) times 703. Divide that figure by your height(in inches). Then, divide by height
(in inches) again.
For example, someone who weighs 110 pounds and is 5’2” would do the following:
110 X 703 = 77,330
77,330/62 inches = 1,247
1,247/62 inches = 20
BMI = 20
a. Less than 18.5 – Add 5 points
b. 18.5 or more, but less than 25 – Add 0 points
c. Between 25 and 30 – Add 10 points
d. Over 30 – Add 15 points
UNDERSTANDING YOUR SCORE:
This test is not intended to replace or supercede a physician’s advice. If you have questions about your digestive
health, see your physician or health care provider.
Digestive Strength – Score less than 15 points: Your answers reflect positive digestive health. Continue to
demonstrate good habits, like eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. This will help you
maintain a healthy weight and digestive system.
Digestive Warning – Score 15 - 50: There is room for improvement in your digestive health. Unintentional
weight loss and use of digestive remedies (like antacids or laxatives) may be signs of poor digestive health.
Take care to monitor your weight as well as your digestive health. If you experience prolonged bouts of
heartburn, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, see a doctor sooner rather than later.
Digestive Distress – Score of 50+: Poor digestive health is a cause for concern. It is time to reassess your
habits. Frequent digestive ailments (like heartburn, nausea, diarrhea or constipation), lack of dietary fiber,
and a BMI that is indicative of obesity could be putting you at risk. Take control of your digestive health.
See a doctor and/or learn more about habits and foods that can help</P>
</P>