Taking folic acid

Folic acid is an important B vitamin for women -- especially for those who are pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant.

The U.S. National Institutes of Health site, womenshealth.gov, offers these general guidelines about folic acid:

* Women who are able to become pregnant should take 400 micrograms of folic acid each day.

* Pregnant women need 600 micrograms daily.

* Breast-feeding women need 500 micrograms daily.

* Women who have had a baby with certain birth defects -- such as spina bifida or anencephaly -- and who want to have another baby should check with their doctor. These women may need as much as 4,000 micrograms of folic acid per day.

* Women who have had a baby with these birth defects and who do not plan to have another baby should take 400 micrograms daily.

'Asthma 500' contest

Show the Indiana State Department of Health Asthma Program what you know about asthma and be entered to win a prize.

Contest activities, instructions and a prize list can be found at www.statehealth.IN.gov/programs/asthma.

All children ages 5 to 14 are eligible.

All entries must be received by April 30.

'Ready, Set, Walk!' with First Lady Cheri Daniels

First Lady Cheri Daniels is leading a new INShape Indiana effort to help Hoosiers become more active. The new program, "Ready, Set, Walk!" will begin today and go for 12 weeks.

While supplies last, participants who sign up on the INShape Indiana Web site, www.inshape.IN.gov, will receive a coupon that can be redeemed at various locations throughout the state for a free INShape Indiana pedometer and walking log to track their progress.

"Ready, Set, Walk!" will follow a format similar to the recent "10 in 10 Challenge." Those who participate will receive a weekly e-mail message with useful information to encourage them to incorporate more walking into their daily routine and to couple this activity with improvements in their eating habits. As with all INShape programs, information on smoking cessation will be provided as well.