Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child? We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!

Less than one percent of American children - or about 200,000 young people - need to take cholesterol-lowering drugs, according to a new study in the journal Circulation.

Dr. Stephen Daniels and his colleagues examined data on 10,000 children who participated in a national health survey. About 2,700 had been checked for LDL levels, and of those, between five and seven percent had elevated levels. Using guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the researchers determined that only 0.8 percent of those who were studied should take drugs that lower cholesterol.

The Academy recommended last year that even children as young as eight should take such medications if they had conditions such as obesity and high blood pressure.

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Infants who are in the care of people other than their parents gain more weight in their first year of life, according to a new study from Harvard University and the University of Illinois.

The finding was troublesome because more infants than ever are in day care, and too much weight gained during the first year of life is a risk factor for becoming overweight as an adult.

Dr. Juhee Kim and Dr. Karen Peterson analyzed data from more than 8,150 children age nine months. Half received nonparental care for at least part of their day. Infants in part-time day care gained 175 grams more than those who were cared for full-time by parents. Infants cared by relatives at least part-time gained 162 more grams. One pound equals about 450 grams.

Labels: weight_gain, daycare, babies

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Health professionals have long known that children of overweight or obese parents are more likely to be overweight themselves. But they assumed the child became overweight as a result of learned behavior - for example, picking up bad nutritional and exercise habits from mom and dad:

"Now, animal studies suggest the environment the fetus is growing in influences the genes. 'The whole idea is, as that child comes out of the birth canal, you've already imprinted that child's vulnerability to be overweight,' [Dr. Robert] Kushner said."

These findings have compelled Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago to begin a program aimed at helping pregnant mothers maintain healthy weight. The 20 women who participate in the program meet weekly for classes on nutrition, stress, and exercise. Source: ABS-CBN News (Philippines)

Labels: nutrition, pregnancy, parents

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A bill has been introduced in the Hawaii State Legislature that would require food chains to put nutritional information on their menus.

"The Hawaii legislation (House Bill 1526 HD1) is aimed at encouraging healthy food choices to combat increasing obesity and an increased risk of high blood pressure and hypertension, which can lead to cardiovascular disease."

The law would require all franchise food establishments with ten or more restaurants to include accurate nutritional information on all their menus, and make this information available to the public upon request. Source: Star-Bulletin (Hawaii)

Labels: nutrition, calories, restaurants

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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, passed by Congress and likely to be signed by President Obama, includes money for "modernization," which could be used to create spaces and environments that promote physical activity.

"The act... requires that states allocate three percent of their share for Transportation Enhancements, which could include construction of walkways, bicycle paths and bike lanes that can help prevent obesity."

Research that was recently published in a special issue of the Journal of Public Health revealed that state and local policies, in conjunction with the Recovery and Reinvestment Act, can remove many of the obstacles that prevent young people from playing outside.Source: Medical News Today

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High cholesterol is a risk associated with obesity, and as obesity rates increase in children, so does their risk of this dangerous condition.

"When a young patient fits the risk profile, [doctors] recommend testing blood cholesterol levels with a simply finger prick. If the results are normal [they] suggest a follow-up test in three to five years."

Children who test positive for high cholesterol needs to make some immediate changes to their diet and level of activity. High cholesterol can lead to serious health issues including heart disease. Because of the risks associated with high cholesterol, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children between the ages of two and 10 be tested regularly for heart disease. Source: CNN

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The New Jersey state Health Department, in conjunction with the Pediatric Council on Research and Education, is sponsoring a symposium on the prevention of childhood obesity.

"The conference is intended to give school administrators, nurses and physical education teachers as well as dieticians, physicians, and others practical information and guidance they can use in their interactions with young children and their families."

Participants will learn how to interpret body-mass index information and introduce age-appropriate activities. The conference will also address feeding and eating patterns that lead to childhood obesity. The conference will be held March 31 in Monroe Township. Source: North Jersey News

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Researchers from the U.S. Public Health Service have conducted a study which found that cholesterol levels in obese children do not pose the risk they'd initially thought. Analysis of cholesterol levels in 10,000 kids found that just one percent of them fit the profile of needing cholesterol-lowering treatment.

"The study doesn't provide specifics for one of the more disturbing aspects of the new pediatrics guidelines: that some children as young as 8 might need cholesterol-fighting pills. LDL [bad cholesterol] readings for children under 12 weren't available."

However, the study's lead author, Dr. Earl Ford, believes results for younger children will reflect those of older children. Though cholesterol may not be an issue, researchers are quick to point out that there are many other health risks associated with childhood obesity. Source: Associated Press

Labels: health, obese-kids, cholesterol

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A study by Dr. Maureen Dobbins of McMaster University in Canada found that physical education programs in schools can help combat obesity, but they aren't enough.

"Obesity among children aged 6 to 11 has more than doubled in 20 years, going from 6.5 percent in 1980 to 17 percent in 2006, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The rate among adolescents aged 12 to 19 has more than tripled."

While Dr. Dobbins acknowledges that physical activity during the school day is important, she has also found that it doesn't compel kids to be more active outside of school. Parents need to step in, set an example of a healthy lifestyle, and encourage the same in their kids, she said. Source: Reuters

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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and The Advertising Council have joined forces to create an ad campaign aimed at inspiring parents to adopt healthier lifestyles for their families.

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Nutrition and Consumer Services is sponsoring the campaign, which features characters from Walt Disney's Pinocchio. The PSAs also encourage parents to visit MyPyramid.gov, the USDA's website that contains nutritional data and promotes healthy lifestyles..."

In a press release, Secretary Vilsack said combating childhood obesity is a top priority for the USDA and President Barack Obama. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is said to be creating the ads. Source: The Packer (Produce Industry Newspaper)

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A pediatrician in Hendersonville, North Carolina has received a grant from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

"Dr. Paul Trani... received a $10,000 from [the AAP's] CATCH (Community Access to Child Health) Program and the National 'got milk?' Milk Mustache Campaign for his POSH, Preventing Obesity and School Health Centers, program."

The program was created at Apple Valley Middle School and aims to help students who are at risk of obesity by enrolling them in a program that improves treatment options for students and their families. Source: Citizen-Times (NC)

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A study conducted at a university in Victoria, Australia, found that a family dog may have health benefits for the children.

"'We found that young children who are aged around five to six years of age are 50 percent less likely to be overweight or obese if they own a dog, compared to those who don't own a dog,' [Dr. Jo] Salmon said... Dr. Salmon says the health benefits come even if the children do not walk the dog regularly."

The study concluded that children are simply more likely to expend energy if they have a family pet because they spend more time playing and less time in front of the television or computer screen. The results were the same regardless of a family's socioeconomic status. Source: ABC News - Australia

Labels: examples, activity, pets

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A concerned mother recently wrote in to CNN's Expert Q&A, asking for help with her overweight daughter. Though mother and daughter walk two to three miles several times per week and follow a healthy diet plan, her daughter is still significantly overweight.

"Your goal for your daughter at this age should be geared more towards weight maintenance rather than weight loss, allowing her to grow into her weight as she ages and her height increases. If she does lose weight, the [American Academy of Pediatrics] suggests that weight loss for children aged 2-11 be no more than 1 pound per month..."

Diet and fitness expert Dr. Melina Jampolis also suggested family outings that are based around activities such as mini-golf or bowling. She also suggested limiting TV time to a maximum of two hours per day. Source: CNN

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Children who live in stressful homes have double the risk of obesity, according to a new Swedish study.

Researchers from Linkping University assessed the stress levels of 7,443 families by evaluating disruptive life events such as family accidents, sickness, divorce, unemployment, violence, or death. They also counted stressors such as marital and parenting problems, lack of social networks, and concerns about children's health and development.

The study began when the children were infants. When it ended five years later, the researchers noted that the obesity rate of the children from high-stress families was double the rate of those whose families had fewer stressful incidents.

Lead author Felix-Sebastian Koch said that stress is not the only factor involved in childhood obesity, and that it probably interacts with other factors, especially if stress levels become too great for a family to handle.

This study appears in the Journal of Pediatrics.

Labels: mental_health, stress, sickness

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Men's Fitness magazine named Salt Lake City as America's "Fittest City," recognizing its outdoor-oriented lifestyle, superior biking and hiking trails, and high number of health food stores. Salt Lake City residents also spend 23 percent less time watching television than the average American does.

Rounding out the Men's Fitness top five "fittest cities" were Colorado Springs, Minneapolis, Denver and Albuquerque.

Miami was named the "fattest city" because of the number of fast food restaurant there, low usage rates for fitness centers, and other factors.

Labels: fitness, sports, enviroment

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