Dr. Elizabeth M. Casparian This is Me

Education

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1. 1. HiTOPS.org ~ Contact HiTOPS

   www.hitops.org/contactus/conta - [Cached]

   Published on: 1/27/2008   Last Visited: 1/27/2008

   Elizabeth M. Casparian, PhD Director of Educational Programs ecasparian@hitops.org

2. 2. PACKETONLINE News Classifieds Entertainment Business - Princeton and Central New Jersey - The Princeton Packet - 12/23/2005 - SPECIAL REPORT: KIDS, CARBS & CARDIOGood eating habits plus lots of exercise add up to good health

   www.pacpub.com/site/news.cfm?n - [Cached]

   Published on: 12/23/2005   Last Visited: 12/23/2005

   Elizabeth Casparian, executive director of Princeton-based HiTOPS, whose mission is to promote adolescent health and well-being, echoed Dr. Hoffman's sentiments. "Some of the healthier choices aren't actually good for you," she said. "Switching from chips to baked chips or pretzels, that's simply empty calories. That's not creating a healthful meal." Ms. Casparian was a pioneering member of Fork Lift, a Princeton organization that sought to address nutrition and childhood obesity in the Princeton schools. While the group is no longer as active within the district as it once was, Ms. Casparian said that it brought a number of important issues to the table. For instance, Fork Lift had hoped to find a way to move away from the national school lunch program, which Ms. Casparian said provides a number of unhealthy options to the children. While many food-service providers contend that snack and beverage sales are imperative to raise much-needed money, she said the economic arguments in favor of continuing to use commodity sales to subsidize school food programs don't always hold water. "Several programs don't rely on commodities," she said. "They are no different in terms of size and socioeconomics, and have less reliance on things that are prepackaged and just not particularly nutritious. Kids will eat good food if it's served to them." Ms. Casparian and Dr. Hoffman also agree that exercise and physical activity are equally important when it comes to the childhood-obesity epidemic.

3. 3. The Shreveport Times

   www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/p - [Cached]

   Published on: 6/7/2006   Last Visited: 6/14/2006

   "You give them the least information that will satisfy them," says Elizabeth Casparian, director of educational programs at Health-Interested Teens' Own Program on Sexuality, or HiTOPS, a teen health education center in Princeton, N.J. The nonprofit center offers a clinic and a variety of programs and support groups, as well as www.hitops.org, to help teens understand their sexuality and avoid sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.
   
   The "most common mistake is giving all the information at once," Casparian says.
   ...
   "In my mind there is no such thing as 'the talk.' You need to have ongoing dialogue," Casparian says. But even if that hasn't happened, it's not too late, she says. Ideally, it is "important that you give them correct information" about puberty by fourth or fifth grade because often "they get frightened by body changes."
   
   When and where you do decide to talk? Casparian suggests the following:
   
   Have the discussion in a place where you won't be interrupted, like the car.
   
   Broach the subject just before bedtime, "when they're needy and have let their guard down," Casparian says. "Kids will open up and ask questions. They're relaxed and know they're safe."
   
   Watch television with your kids. "There are teachable moments," Casparian says.