A study conducted by nutritionists at a hospital in Australia found that factors contributing to obesity are present in young children's lives long before they begin attending school. The study reviewed nutritional information for kids ages four to six in 18 different schools.

"Just over half of the children had junk food, including fried potato products, cakes, sweet biscuits and soft drinks, more than twice a day. About 40 percent of children were eating only one daily serving of vegetables, compared to the recommended four servings."

Fiona McKenzie-Lewis, a nutritionist, said the survey highlights just how important it is for parents to monitor their kids' eating habits at very early ages. Source: ABC News (Australia)

Labels: junk_food, parents, toddlers

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law legislation that requires restaurants to include calorie information in their menus.

Many restaurant-goers said they liked the idea. "I think it would be a good thing," said restaurant patron Cory Becky. "That way we actually understand how much we're putting into our bodies, especially [for parents] with little kids."

The law, which will go into effect in 2011, will apply to any restaurant chain that has 20 or more establishments in California. Source: WCSH6 NBC (Portland, ME)

Labels: calories, nutrition, restaurants

In the battle against childhood obesity, parents, teachers and physicians are all calling for children to increase their levels of activity. Unfortunately, on of the primary sources of physical activity for children - recess - is slowly disappearing from public schools.

"Cutting recess time is a growing trend across the country, but some education experts say that's a mistake. Having an outlet such as recess helps student's focus in the classroom, they say, and it helps combat childhood obesity rates..."

A recent study of one county in Georgia found that 35 percent of the elementary schools had no recess at all. All nine of the schools that were surveyed were in high-poverty areas, where school administrators felt that students needed extra classroom time. Source: Macom.com

Labels: exercise, recess, schools

Consumer Reports ranked children's breakfast cereals and found that eleven had more sugar than a glazed donut from Dunkin' Donuts. Most of the cereals marketed to children did not contain much fiber and were high in sodium. The top cereals for sugar content were Kellogg's Honey Smacks and Post Golden Crisps.

Labels: diet, sugars

In the fight against childhood obesity, school lunch programs have become a primary target. More and more schools are banning soft drinks during lunch and in vending machines on school grounds. Yet the ban seems to be having little effect on consumption.

"A researcher found that fifth-graders whose elementary schools didn't allow the sale of soft drinks consumed just 4 percent less overall than those children in other schools."

The study surveyed drinking habits of more than 10,000 fifth grade students in more than 2,000 schools. The study seems to indicate that the fight against childhood obesity can't be focused on just one area or food, but needs to be a comprehensive approach that considers home, school, and other environments. Source: ABC-7 (El Paso, TX)

Labels: schools, sodas, soft_drinks

A British study has found that teenagers who are overweight or obese are more likely to have considered suicide than those who are at a healthy weight. The study, which was conducted through the University of Liverpool, involved a survey of 799 students of various weights.

"A linear relationship existed between suicidal ideal and BMI, with overweight and obese adolescents experiencing the highest rates of 26.8 percent - more than twice the average prevalence for the entire group."

The study also found that teenagers who had high suicidal risks also scored higher on the Eating Disorders Inventory - showing they're also at greater risk of developing eating disorders. Source: MediLexicon News

Labels: mental_health, overweight, suicide

A registered nurse from Maryland has simple advice for parents who are looking for help in their efforts to control their children's weight: Let the kids play.

"Physical play can help children discover what their bodies can do. They'll increase their skills and gain the confidence to try new things. Children confident in their abilities are more likely to interact with other children and develop emotionally, socially, cognitively - and, of course, physically."

Playing comes naturally to kids. Oftentimes it's the parents who hinder it, worried that it isn't safe for their kids to be outside or that they're going to get hurt. But the kind of physical play that kids come by instinctively is just what they need to develop an active, healthy lifestyle. Source: ModernMedicine.com.

Labels: basics, fitness, prevention

A study has found a strong link between overweight/obesity and headaches in children. The study followed 913 children for six months.

"Adult obesity already has been tied to headaches, so helping kids get into the normal weight range could prevent years of pain and disability...Chronic headaches are common in childhood, with surveys suggesting they're experienced by anywhere from one out of four to one in 10 kids... But the overweight children who had lost weight three months after their first visit reported about half as many headaches as the heavy kids who continued to gain weight."

Though several different factors could cause the headaches - everything from dehydration to the stress of being teased - kids with headaches are less physically active, which can lead to a continued cycle of obesity and deteriorating health. Source: USA Today

Labels: headaches, health_care, pain

In the continued struggle against childhood obesity, an Alabama group has received the praises of acting U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Steven K. Galson for its efforts.

"Galson told members of the Jefferson County Childhood Obesity Task Force on Monday they are making a difference and must get involved 'at every level of society,'"

Galson was in Alabama for a round-table discussion with about 40 members of various organizations that are working to improve the diet, exercise, and overall health of Alabama children. Source: Montgomery Advertiser

Labels: prevention

Last year, North Carolina celebrated its inaugural "Talk a Child Outside Week." This year, the week-long focus on walking and exercise was recognized across the country.

"'Take A Child Outside Week' is designed to encourage outside play and exploration to combat obesity. According to the Centers for Disease Control more than 17 percent of children are obese, and millions more are overweight. Experts believe outside play and exploration for as little as 30 minutes a day can combat the trend."

"Take A Child Outside Week" ran through Tuesday, September 30th. Source: Tallahassee Democrat

Labels: exercise, fitness

A Canadian study found that 14 percent of adolescent boys and 20 percent of girls rate their health as "poor."

Researchers from Queen's University in Ontario used data on 2,384 students in the 9th and 10th grades to determine what factors influence teen health and what government programs could improve it. They found that teen health was a complex interaction between factors such as risk taking, family income and the degree to which an individual teen connects to others.

Low-income teens were twice as likely as their more affluent peers to engage in risky behavior including taking drugs, smoking tobacco, using alcohol, and not using seat belts or condoms.

"Our analysis actually states that social capital, affluence, and risk taking all influence health, but these things do not work together," said the study's author, Owen Gallupe. "To improve adolescent health, programs should reduce risk taking [and] improve social capital and levels of affluence."

This study appears in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Labels: health, income, research