Kristin Bogdonas
Host, "Wellness Wake Up Call"Kristin Bogdonas believes that everyone deserves access to fresh, affordable food and is committed to helping people improve their health literacy. In this digital age it can be difficult to decipher what nutrition information is accurate and what is hype. Connecting people with factual information and evidenced-based programs will help people build the skills and attain the knowledge necessary for positive behavior change. Although nutrition is important for a long and healthy life, one should not overlook the other dimensions of health required for overall wellbeing; physical, mental, emotional, vocational, spiritual, environmental and social. Each dimension impacting the next.
Bogdonas earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with an emphasis in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics from Illinois State University. She then went on to earn her post-graduate degree in the Master of Public Health program at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. During her graduate studies, she instructed Foundations of Human Health, and was employed by the Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development where she worked with the Illinois CATCH onto Health! Consortium and the CATCH onto Health! grant. Her main priorities were nutrition education and research/evaluation. Her collaboration on research regarding menu labeling as well as a case study on the CATCH onto Health! Consortium was presented at the 2013 Robert D. Russell Symposium. She is currently a member of the Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity workgroup, Local Food Systems/Food Access.
Bogdonas’s special interests include farm-to-institution, promoting a ‘slow food’ mentality, food safety, food preservation, improving food access and living sustainably. A long-term goal is to create a generation of conscious consumers and promote the local economy and local food movement by improving students’ food experiences through hands-on, evidence-based programming that is fun and innovative. She prefers to reach her audiences through face-to-face, interactive programming and social media outlets.
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EnvironmentOsteoarthritis (OA) can make movement painful, but staying active is one of the best ways to manage symptoms and improve overall joint health. While it may seem counterintuitive, regular exercise helps reduce stiffness, strengthen muscles that support the joints, and improve flexibility, ultimately leading to less pain and better function. -
Are you struggling to stay active? Does walking feel like a challenge sometime? April is Move More month, and this week, we’re talking about exercising with low mobility. -
Gardening and yard work are more than just chores—they are excellent forms of physical activity that benefit both the body and mind. Many of the movements involved, such as digging, raking, lifting, and weeding, engage multiple muscle groups and provide a moderate-intensity workout similar to walking or biking. -
Sarcopenia is a progressive loss of muscle mass, function, and strength due to aging. We all lose muscle over time. In fact, beginning in our 30s and 40s, you may notice loss of muscle mass and strength. However, the rate of muscle loss occurs much faster the older we get. -
Did you know, only about 25% of adults meet the physical activity recommendations for muscle-strengthening and aerobic activity? A lack of physical activity will put you at risk for chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. -
Healthy habits often start in childhood and can last a lifetime, but if you didn’t develop these habits as a child, don’t worry—you can start at any age! -
Food is more than just fuel; it’s a reflection of our history, traditions, and relationships. The theme of this year’s National Nutrition Month highlights the powerful role food plays in connecting cultures and people around the world. -
RDNs are food and nutrition experts who can guide you in creating personalized meal plans, managing dietary restrictions, and building sustainable, healthy eating habits. Connecting with an RDN doesn’t have to be complicated! -
Exploring where your food comes from can help you make healthier and more sustainable food choices. Here are a few tips to help you get started: -
Stress is a part of everyday life and how you respond to stress can wreak havoc on your health - especially your heart health.
