By Susan Tolley

Staff reporter

It was a beautiful, sunny day Saturday, and while perhaps many teen girls either slept late or went shopping at the mall, more than 20 between the ages of 13 - 17 attended “Teen Talk,” a seminar held at the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott in Elkin. They were accompanied by their mothers or guardian, and enjoyed lunch and door prizes. More importantly, the teens received pertinent information by field experts about teen fitness and nutrition, self-esteem, personal safety and teen medical issues.

“Our goal is to give information and resources to keep everybody healthy. Our priority is teenagers,” said Carroll Jernigan, chairwoman of the advisory council. “When we first started discussing the development of The Women’s Advisory Council, we wanted to be sure to have you (teens) as our priority. You’re such an asset to the community. We feel that if you have knowledge, you can make good decisions. That’s what we’re going to be focusing on today,”

While it was the second in a series of women’s health issues seminars conducted by the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Women’s Advisory Council, it was the first for teenaged girls, and covered a number of topics.

Vicky Dinkins, certified personal trainer, spoke about the importance of exercise for everyone but specifically for teen girls to develop the habit of regular exercise to avoid obesity and other health problems brought on by lack of activity.

“You’re getting ready to go on a fantastic journey. Make fitness simple. It’s exercise, good nutrition and lots of rest. You’re growing and this body of yours has to carry you through life. Women who exercise regularly feel like they can conquer anything.” said Dinkins. “As women, we naturally take care of others, but we need to learn how to take care of ‘me. I need to be the most important person so I will be healthy enough to take care of others as I get older.’”

Dinkins encouraged attendees to put one foot in front of the other and simply get outside. She commented on how small changes in women’s daily lives can make a big difference such as working in a garden, walking or biking. She demonstrated how to use large exercise balls, stretch bands and medicine balls to exercise at home if joining the gym doesn’t fit into your schedule or budget.

Dietician Rebecca Subbiah reviewed the importance of good nutrition for teens. One of the main topics discussed was the over-indulgence in fast food to which Americans have become accustomed. Subbiah pointed out that diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are on the rise in American teens at an alarming rate, much of which she attributes to too much fast food and lack of aerobic activity.

She presented the updated food pyramid and called attention to changes that have been made to it over the past few years. She also spoke on the importance of eating together as a family and suggested cooking together to make it more fun. Other nutrition topics such as bulimia and anorexia nervosa were touched on, as well as the importance of getting the right vitamins.

(Ret.) North Carolina State Highway Patrol Sergeant 1st Class Robin Chandler surprised everyone by showing up dressed as Johnny Cash and entertaining the audience with a medley of Cash’s biggest hits. Fun and games aside, Chandler spoke to the teens about seatbelt safety, making the right choices about who to ride with and the effects of teen drinking.

“I’ve seen a lot of the aftermath of poor decisions. You can’t mix alcohol and driving. It brings a lot of regrets” said Chandler. “There is just no easy way to deliver the message to parents that their son or daughter has been killed in an accident. I urge you, please make wise choices.”

Melissa Tharpe, women’s health nurse practitioner at Elkin Obstetrics and Gynecology, spoke about female health issues and what is typically an uncomfortable subject – their first gynecological exam. She explained the importance of having the annual exam and put the teen’s minds at ease about the myths of how uncomfortable the exam can be. Tharpe discussed the importance of receiving the human pappilloma virus vaccine (HPV). This is a series of three shots that is very affective in preventing girls from receiving the four most common strands of the virus. She touched on birth control, but advised the girls that the best way to stay healthy is to not be sexually active.

“Birth control can prevent pregnancy if used properly, but I see diseases; it’s here in our county. There is more than pregnancy to be concerned with. Some diseases have no cure,” said Tharpe.

The seminar ended with a question and answer session followed by an invitation to attend future seminars that will focus on teen health issues.

The Women’s Advisory Council’s next seminar is tentatively planned to be held in June. The seminars are free and are on a first come, first serve basis.