The Illinois state Senate has passed legislation that would ban the use of trans fats in all schools that participate in the state lunch program.

"As the number of reports of childhood obesity rises, at least eight states have limited the use of trans fats in foods, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. California has an outright ban on trans fats in school meals, and Oregon doesn't let schools sell snacks with trans fats."

Now that the bill has been approved the by the Senate, it moves on to the House, where it's expected to pass as well. From there, the bill would have to be signed into law by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Source: Chicago Tribune.

Labels: fats, legislation, schools

The University of Western Ontario has developed a summer day camp specifically for overweight and obese children who are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. This brand of diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes because it only appeared in overweight or obese adults.

"[Camp] activities include everything from hiking and aquatics to sports and games. Participants will be divided into groups to enhance team cohesion and social support, which will also allow for friendly competition. In addition, there will be a weekly activity-based field trip."

The day camp will also include weekend education sessions for the whole family. Implementation of the camp program was made possible by a $150,000 grant from the Lawson Foundation. Source: Western News (publication of the University of Western Ontario

An increasing number of children in the U.K. are becoming so obese that they have to be put on ventilators at night to ensure they keep breathing while they sleep. The children, weighing as much as four times their ideal weight, are considered morbidly obese.

"Many of the children will need to sleep attached to a breathing machine every night for the rest of their lives and doctors warn that they are at 'huge risk' of dying because they cannot get enough oxygen."

The added weight on the chest makes it difficult for the child to breathe, as does the extra fat around the airway. For many of these children, stomach surgery is the only way they'll be able to reduce their weight and reduce many of the risks associated with childhood obesity. Source: U.K. Sunday Times

A bill pending in the Illinois State Senate would ban trans fats in schools if voted into law. Senator Donne Trotter introduced the legislation, citing a school's responsibility for teaching kids the benefits of healthy eating habits.

"Illinois' bill would require the State Board of Education to eliminate cafeteria food cooked with vegetable oils containing trans fats by July 2009. A year later, all foods with added trans fats from cafeterias, vending machines and a la carte items would be outlawed. Food with naturally occurring trans fats - including meat, milk and cheese - would be exempt."

Trans fats are created when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil. While these fats improve food's flavor and increase shelf life, they have also been linked to high cholesterol, obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Source: The Courier News - Chicago

Labels: fats, legislation, schools

Childhood obesity is a complex problem that can't be fixed overnight or by just one group of people. We can't look only to schools or parents or the children themselves. It's going to take everyone working together to solve this problem.

"Some may argue that it is the individual's choice as to what they eat, how they exercise, and if they put themselves at greater risk for co-morbidity of obesity. However, children are products of our environment and reflect the habits that we teach them."

Similarly, all responsibility can't rest with the parents, because kids spend a significant time away from their homes. Schools need to support parents' efforts to teach their kids healthy eating and exercise habits. Source: The Ellsworth American

Labels: community, responsibility, schools

Richard Louv's new book Last Child in the Woods is a call to return to nature. Too many kids, he says, spend too much time in organized sports and in front of a TV or computer screen, and not enough time enjoying nature.

"Evidence is mounting in support of getting kids back outside. Pioneering teachers are now experimenting with outdoor classrooms, where children spend part of their school week interacting directly with the environment... Louv reported that these children perform better across the board, from math and science to standardized testing, than do the students stuck inside."

Louv goes on to say that the environment would also benefit greatly if kids spent more time outside. Kids are much more likely to become "environmental stewards and advocates" if they're consistently experiencing nature. Source: OregonLive.com.

This summer join your kids at summer camp! Wellspring offers a Family Camp that teaches parents and children how to control their weight by eating properly and exercising.

Labels: enviroment, nature, outdoors

A recent public opinion survey by the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) found that 82 percent of Americans think food companies aren't doing enough to help combat obesity. Though a staggering number of food companies say they're reformulating products to make them healthier, consumers are looking for more.

"US based companies are complying with government initiatives in Europe that curb junk food advertising to kids, limit fat and salt content in processed foods, and call for nutrition information on the front of food packages, but are opposing such steps in the US..."

The survey also found that Americans still think there is too much advertising of junk food to children and that the government should get more involved in combating childhood obesity. Source: FoodNavigator.com.

Labels: advertising, food_companies, junk_food

The best role models kids can have for physical activity and healthy eating are their parents. Studies have shown that overweight parents are far more likely to have overweight children. With spring right around corner, there are lots of things the family can do to increase physical activity.

"Limit the amount of time you watch television. By doing this, you will find it easier to limit the amount of time your child watches TV and movies, or plays video and computer games. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a maximum of two hours of viewing time for children each day."

Pick some favorite family outdoor activities like playing Frisbee, hiking, or gardening. Modeling a healthy lifestyle while kids are young will go a long way toward ensuring they become healthy adults. Read more at SeattlePI.com.

Wellspring offers a family camp geared to getting families on the road to a healthy lifestyle. Learn more at WellspringFamilyCamp.com.

Labels: families, fitness, role_models

Debra Zarella isn't a certified physical trainer, but she has plenty of clients. When they're not working out, they're probably watching cartoons, playing video games, or practicing their spelling. Zarella designed her Healthy Kidz fitness club for just that - kids.

"Every piece of equipment in the gym is pint-sized to meet the needs of its pint-sized clients. Gym owner Debra Zarella got the idea after her own gym fell short for her seven-year-old daughter."

A typical workout consists of a warm-up on the treadmill and three rounds of strength-building on hydraulic resistance machines. A dietitian and nutritionist are onsite as well, and each training session costs just $15. Read more at ABC-7.com.

Labels: exercise, parents, role_models

Barbara Jones Slater became, at 15 years old, the youngest woman ever to win an Olympic gold medal. It's a record she still holds. Now, at 71, she's encouraging young people to be active. She recently spoke at a conference aimed at fighting childhood obesity.

"The conference - 'Healthy Cultures, Healthy Kansas: Moving Forward' - was sponsored by the Center for Health Disparities at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. It kicked off April as National Minority Health Month, said Sharon Goolsby, program director for the Center..."

About 150 people attended this third annual conference, which included breakout sessions and a wellness center that offered health screenings and chair massages. Read more at CJOnline.com.

Labels: activity, exercise, role_models

When Paz Soto's son was just 8 years old, he was diagnosed with "fatty liver disease" - an ailment typically reserved for adults. It's one of many adult diseases that are beginning to affect overweight and obese children.

"In addition to the well-known rise in type 2 diabetes among U.S. youth, overweight children are suffering from fatty liver disease, hypertension, high cholesterol and sleep apnea. Health professionals are increasingly concerned, fearing the long-term impact of developing chronic diseases early in life."

While health care professionals are not trying to scare or alarm parents, they do want parents to realize that children who are overweight or obese are at risk of serious health problems. Read more at Modbee.com.

Labels: diseases, long_term_health_risks