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

Concern for healthy eating habits motivates parents to set rules regarding the types and quantities of food their kids can eat. But according to a Feb. 19 article by Jodi Mailander Farrell of the Chicago Tribune, the parents' own eating habits have a far greater impact that the rules they set:

The best thing you can do for your kids is to be a good role model and eat the way you want your child to eat. Choose a variety of healthy foods from all the food groups, eat in moderation and make exercise part of your regular routine.

An estimated 10 million women and 1 million men suffer from eating disorders in the United States. Many of these disordered eaters begin to show symptoms at very early ages -- some as young as eight. Parental influence goes a long way toward ensuring that kids have good perspectives on food and healthy body image.

Labels: parents, attitudes, body_image

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A study in the journal Hypertension suggests that more children are developing kidney stones because they are eating too much salt:

• Sodium causes calcium in the urine, which in turn is linked to the formation of kidney stones.
• Children ages five to ten years old are consuming 50 percent more sodium than they did ten years ago, according to the new research.
• Most small stones pass on their own; however, ones over six millimeters often require surgery.
• Kidney stones recur in 67 percent of pediatric cases.

Pediatricians advise parents to reduce their children's salt intake and increase the amount of water they drink. In addition to reducing the risk of kidney stones, following a healthy diet also increases the likelihood that a child will avoid a host of other problems related to childhood obesity.

Labels: diet, kidney_disease

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More than 75,000 children across the country are participating in youth running programs aimed at preventing childhood obesity. The programs are funded by the New York Runners Foundation's "Team for Kids."

"Here in New York where one in 10 people suffer from Type 2 diabetes and many other chronic, terrible diseases that are related to obesity, weve created two programs which start teaching kids about the wonderfulness of physical activity and in particular running and walking," said New York Road Runners Foundation Executive Director Cliff Sperber. (Source: NY1 News)

The programs who which Mr. Sperber referred are the Mighty Milers and Young Runners, which are designed for younger and older kids, respectively. Both programs teach young people about the basics of running, and help them build their strength and endurance. Achieving milestones builds confidence, which increases the likelihood that the kids will continue to exercise even when they're adults.

Obesity research has determined that following a nutritious diet plan and engaging in regular physical activity are two of the most important components in a young person's effort to avoid childhood obesity and grow into a healthy adult.

Labels: prevention, exercise, youth, running

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The Childhood Obesity Prevention Demonstration Project of Watauga County (NC) has spent seven months promoting healthy living. This month it is celebrating the accomplishments of all its participants by hosting Family FunFest. The fest is scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Boone Mall:

Family FunFest will feature a number of activities for participants of all ages including inflatables  a giant rock wall, giant slide, obstacle course, moon walk, and a hula hoop contest. There will also be free food samples from our Healthy Cooking Contest finalists, as well as budget-friendly cooking tips. (Source: High Country Press)

The Obesity Project partnered with the Eat Smart, Move More N.C. program, which encourages communities, schools and businesses to promote healthy eating and physical activity.

Families who are looking for additional ways to improve their children's eating and exercise habits may also want to consider the many benefits of a healthy weight loss summer camp.

Labels: childhood_obesity, prevention, families

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A study that was presented before the European Congress on Obesity found that the obesity epidemic in the United States is a result of overeating, not under-exercising.

"Weight gain in the American population seems to be virtually explained by eating more calories ... Changes in physical activity played a minimal role," said Boyd Swinburn, director of the World Health Organization.

Researchers calculated the actual number of calories needed every day by tracking 1,400 adults and 960 children. Then they calculated the number of calories Americans actually ate between the years 1970 and 2000, based on the amount of food produced annually, the amount thrown away, and the amount used by animals.

By comparing the figures, the researchers then predicted that adults would be 23.8 pounds heavier in 2000 than they were in 1970. The actual number was 19.6 pounds, which was close to the estimate.

The researchers explained that modern American adults would have to cut 500 calories a day, or exercise moderately for 110 minutes a day, to weigh what they did 30 years ago. For children, the statistics translate to a decrease of 350 calories per day and an increase of 150 minutes of moderate daily exercise.

As summertime approaches, children who are having trouble following a healthy diet or getting adequate amounts of exercise may benefit from participating in a science-based, professionally supervised weight-loss summer camp.

Labels: overeating, obesity_rates, exercise

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A study that was conducted through the University of California (San Diego) School of Medicine found that overweight teenagers who weigh themselves at least once a week exhibited healthier overall behavior, including eating more fruits and vegetables and getting more exercise.

"We think that regular weight monitoring may increase a teen's awareness of weight fluctuations or gradual weight gain, enabling him or her to appropriately adjust their diet and exercise, said [Kerri] Boutelle. They also reported less daily calorie intake, less junk-food consumption and greater use of a structured diet." (Source: MediLexicon)

Some people have expressed concern that teens who regularly weigh themselves are more likely to develop body dissatisfaction and eating disorders. But this new study shows that the opposite appears to be true for teens who are overweight or obese.

Self-monitoring is encouraged by a number of highly effective and reputable weight loss and wellness programs, including the Structure House residential weight loss program.

Labels: self-control, weight_loss, teens, self-monitoring

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Two-thirds of television food advertisements shown during the hours children watch are for junk foods, according to research presented at the European Congress on Obesity meeting. In the United States, things are even worse: 90 percent of the ads during the time period in question are for junk foods.

Bridget Kelley and her colleagues monitored television shows broadcast during the hours children are most likely to watch in Australia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia, and North and South America. She found that children see between 4,000 and 6,000 ads a year, with 2,000 to 4,000 for junk food.

"There is a lot of attention on unhealthy food marketing as an influence on childhood obesity and a lot of governments are reluctant to regulate," Kelley said.

The excessive consumption of junk food has been associated with many of the health consequences of childhood obesity.

Labels: causes of childhood obesity, television, advertising

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The United States Senate is considering taxing sugary drinks such as sodas, fruit drinks, sweetened teas, and sports and energy beverages.

Advocates estimate that a tax of three cents per 12 ounces would yield $80 billion a year. Some senators believe a tax may also lower consumption of such beverages, reduce health problems, and save medical costs. Many experts have noted an association between sugary drinks and childhood obesity.

Susan K. Neely, the president and CEO of the American Beverage Association, was quick to respond, saying the tax was not a good idea, and a better approach is to reduce soda consumption in schools. Neeley noted that soft drink consumption has declined by almost 10 percent since 2000.

Earlier this year, New York Gov. David Paterson proposed an 18 percent tax on sugared sodas, but the measure did not pass the state legislature.

Labels: causes of childhood obesity, legislation, soft_drinks

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Obese children are more likely to have food allergies, but this does not mean that allergies cause obesity, according to a new study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Researchers with the National Institute of Environmental Health Studies examined data that had been collected from more than 4,000 children ages two to 19. Those who had body mass indices (BMI) in the 95th percentile (or higher) were 26 percent more likely to have food allergies.

"Given that the prevalence of both obesity and allergic disease has increased among children over the last several decades, it is important to understand and, if possible, prevent these epidemics," the study's lead author, Cynthia M. Visness, said in a May 8 press release.

Labels: childhood_obesity, childhood_health, allergies

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An Ohio study has discovered that children in day care centers are not getting much exercise because directors do not want them to get hurt, and parents want them to spend time doing academics.

Dr. Kristen Copeland of the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and her colleagues studied 34 child care centers in the Cincinnati area.

"Child care providers told us many parents were more focused on their children learning cognitive skills such as reading, writing, and preparing for kindergarten than their participation in recess," Dr. Copeland in a May 5 press release that announced her findings.

"Some of the most valuable lessons in science, nature, cause and effect, and even important social skills ... all come from playing outdoors on the playground," she said in the release. Dr. Copelands report indicated that some centers do not have adequate playground equipment.

About 75 percent of children ages three to six years old are in child care centers at least part-time.

With childhood obesity associated with such a wide range of physical and psychological problems, experts advise parents to ensure that parents take action to get treatment for overweight children before any lasting damage is done.

Labels: childhood_obesity, causes of childhood obesity, exercise

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Economic hard times may cause teenage girls -- but not boys -- to gain weight, according to a study in the journal Social Science and Medicine.

Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth, researcher Jeremy Arkes, compared young people's body mass indices (BMI) to unemployment rates from the years 1997 to 2004. Arkes found that for every one percent rise in unemployment, there was a 1.8 percent rise in BMI percentile among girls ages 15 to 18 years old. The opposite was true for males, who tended to lose weight when unemployment rates increased.

Regardless of the cause of their weight gains, stressful times can be difficult for overweight children and teens, who may already be dealing with a number of weight-related physical and psychological challenges.

Labels: weight_gain, recession, girls

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Exercising can reduce belly fat, even if the exerciser is not dieting, according to a new study from the University of Illinois.

Dr. Jeffrey Woods divided mice into four groups: One group exercised, one group was sedentary, one group was put on a low-fat diet without exercise, and one group followed both a low-fat diet and an exercise regime.

"The surprise was that the combination of diet and exercise did not yield dramatically different and better results than diet or exercise alone," said Vicki Vieira, lead author of the study.

Only the sedentary mice had a significant increase in belly fat, which is linked to heart disease and diabetes.

"Even if you struggle with dieting, we believe you can still reduce the likelihood of developing obesity-related inflammatory diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, by adding a modest amount of exercise to your life," said Dr. Woods.

This study appeared in the American Journal of Physiology, Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Labels: overweight, weight_loss, exercise

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Dr. David Kessler believes that the food industry is manipulating the American public in ways that are similar to the tobacco industry. He believes that they promote foods that are high in salt, sugar and fat -- a deadly combination that does not satisfy the appetite, but actually stimulates hunger.

Dr. Kessler has degrees in medicine and law, and has served as dean of the Yale University School of Medicine as well as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, where he was known for taking a tough stand on tobacco companies. Today, he is the author of a new book, "The End of Overeating."

"I used to think I ate to feel full," said Dr. Kessler, who admitted to having his own weight-related struggles. "Now we have the science that shows were eating to stimulate ourselves."

Dr. Kessler said he believes that foods that are high in salt, fat, and sugar actually alter brain chemistry in the same ways that addictive drugs do. The sight or thought of such foods can stimulate dopamine in the pleasure centers of the brain. For this reason, you can crave these foods when you pass a restaurant or see a food advertisement on television even if you are not hungry.

Dr. Kessler says that food deprivation only heightens the way the brain views food, which is why most diets do not work.

"How do we explain to America what is going on?" he asked. "How do we break through and help people understand how their brains have been captured?"

Labels: overweight, overeating, food_companies

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A study of 1,011 adolescents found that those who had higher levels of stress were more likely to be overweight.

"We found that an adolescent or youth who is more stressed -- caused by such things as having poor grades, mental health problems, aggressive behaviors, or doing more drugs and alcohol -- is more likely to be overweight or obese," said Brenda Lohman, professor of human development and family studies at Iowa State University.

The five stress factors used were academic problems, consumption of drugs and alcohol, depression or mental health issues, aggression, and lack of future orientation. The study, which involved children ages 10 to 15 years old, also found that their mothers' stress could be a contributing factor to their being overweight.

Adolescent overweight has been associated with a wide range of serious health problems (including an increased risk of premature death) both during one's younger years and into adulthood.

This study appeared in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Labels: causes of childhood obesity, overweight children, stress

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One in three mothers puts too much food on their childs plates, according to a report entitled "Kids and Nutrition."

Researchers surveyed 302 mothers of children ages one to seven years old, and found that 80 percent were unsure if their children's food intake met nutritional requirements. In general, the mothers put too much food on the kids' plates, and 80 percent believe that their children are "fussy eaters" if they do not eat all of it.

These finding are similar to those that were arrived at by Cornell University researchers who documented the negative impact that forcing children to clean their plates can have on childhood overweight and obesity.

Children have a "tremendous capacity" to self-regulate their food intake, and parents should not force them to eat, said pediatrician Dr. Michael Kohn. T

This study appeared in the Journal of Nutrition and Diabetes.

Labels: nutrition, parenting, causes of childhood obesity, family meals

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