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

Children under five years old need fat and carbohydrates, but so many parents worry about their children becoming overweight that they are restricting them to low calorie diets.

• A government study of nursery schools in 29 British councils found that some were offering children inadequate amounts of food because of pressure from parents.
• Some parents wanted their children to eliminate red meat, whole milk, and desserts, and yet the very young children cannot yet obtain adequate nutrition from fruits and vegetables alone.

"It is important that parents do not apply healthy eating messages designed for the whole population to small children," said Prof. Helen Crawley. "Poor nutritional status in toddlerhood is linked to permanent cognitive damage and a child never reaching their full potential, as well as shorter stature in adulthood."

Labels: diet, nutrition, parenting, health, toddlers

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Laboratory animals gain more weight when they eat foods sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup rather than table sugar, even when the calories are the same, according to a new study from Princeton University.

Scientists have suspected that high-fructose corn syrup, now a common ingredient in sodas and many other processed foods, may be contributing to the obesity epidemic, but this is the first study to demonstrate cause-and-effect in mammals.

• Professor Bart Hoebel and his colleagues gave laboratory rats drinks sweetened with either corn syrup or table sugar (sucrose).
• The researchers found that that corn syrup group gained more weight, especially belly fat.
  
• In a second experiment, rats with access to high-fructose corn syrup gained 48 percent more weight and developed metabolic syndrome, although those on a normal diet did not.

"These rats aren't just getting fat -- they are demonstrating characteristics of obesity, including substantial increases in abdominal fat and circulating triglycerides," said Miriam Bocarsly, an assistant on the project. "In humans, these same characteristics are known risk factors for high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, cancer, and diabetes."

This study appeared in the journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior.

Labels: diet, causes of childhood obesity, high fructose corn syrup

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Nutritionist Joann Bruso has photos of a McDonald's Happy Meal posted on her blog. A strange choice for a nutritionist? Not really. For the last 12 months, Bruso has had the same Happy Meal sitting on a counter in her Colorado home, waiting for it to decompose. Shes still waiting.

On March 3, Bruso posted a "Happy Birthday" message to the Happy Meal -- and a warning to parents who have made fast food a regular part of their family's diet:

The next time youre tempted to purchase a Happy Meal for your child, think about these photos. Food is SUPPOSED to decompose, go bad and smell foul&eventually. ...

Food is broken down into it's essential nutrients in our bodies and turned into fuel. Our children grow strong bodies, when they eat real food. Flies ignore a Happy Meal and microbes don't decompose it, then your child's body can't properly metabolize it either. Now you know why its called "junk food."

I think ants, mice and flies are smarter than people, because they weren't fooled. They never touched the Happy Meal. Children shouldnt either.

Labels: diet, health, fast food

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Gerber is possibly the most trusted name in baby food. But the company has been criticized by a Canadian group because of the high amounts of sodium in some of the meals it markets for toddlers.

A Feb. 3 Canadian Press article provided the following details:

The Canadian Stroke Network and the Advanced Foods & Materials Network chose Gerber Graduates Lil' Entrees because the product line's Chicken & Pasta Wheel Pickups dinner contains 550 mg of sodium -- more than half a toddler's adequate daily intake of 1,000 mg.

The organizations say the amount of sodium in the prepared food is equivalent to that contained in two medium orders of McDonald's french fries. McDonald's Canada website says a medium order of fries contains 270 mg of sodium.

Yet labelling on the Gerber Graduates meal says it is "appropriate for children one year or older" and is "specially made for toddlers."

"There is a concern that eating too much sodium in childhood can lead to a preference for salty foods and, consequently, an increased risk of disease as an adult," said Dr. Kevin Willis, who leads efforts by the Canadian Stroke Network to raise awareness of the dangers of excessive sodium intake.

Labels: diet, nutrition, toddlers, sodium

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An study on animals has revealed that a high-fat diet takes an immediate toll on short-term memory and the ability to exercise.

• Researchers at Cambridge University in Britain fed rats a low-fat diet and trained them to complete a maze.
  
• Then half the rats were switched to a high fat diet.
  
• Within just four days, the rats on the high fat diet began to fail the maze test, and they performed 30 percent worse on treadmills.

"We expected to see changes but not so dramatic and not in such a short space of time," said Professor Andrew Murray. "It was really striking how quickly these effects happened."

The study appeared in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.

Labels: diet, brain_activity, research, exercise, memory

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The type of weight loss plan a person chooses can affect mood, according to a study that was published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.

• Dr. Grant Brinkworth and his colleagues at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization in Australia studied 106 overweight and obese people
• The study subjects were assigned to a very low carbohydrate/high-fat diet or a high carbohydrate/low fat diet.
• Both groups lost an average of 30 pounds after one year.
• However, the group on the high-fat, low-carb diet experienced negative mood changes, although they did not lose any function in cognitive ability

The group on the low-fat diet experienced improved moods, and also had no changes in cognitive function.

Labels: diet, mood

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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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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

Labels: diet, cholesterol, activity

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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

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An eight-year study of 26,000 Greek citizens found that eating a "Mediterranean" diet reduces cancer risks by 22 percent. This diet such includes the following habits: consuming less red meat and dairy products, using olive oil instead of butter, and eating more fruits and vegetables. The researchers found that individuals who followed this plan had lowered rates for several types of cancer, including cervix, bowel, stomach, liver, and brain.

"Of the thousands of people we studied, those who followed a Mediterranean diet were overall less likely to develop cancer," said Harvard University professor Dimitrios Trichopoulos.

Labels: diet, healthy_eating, cancer

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An eight-month study of dieting women found that eating a large breakfast with plenty of proteins and carbohydrates helped control hunger, reduce their cravings for carbs, and maintain weight losses.

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University put a group of 46 women on a very low-carb diet of less than 1100 calories per day. Another group of 48 women went on a diet of 1240 calories, with half their calories coming during breakfast.

Four months after going on their diets, the first group had lost 28 pounds and the breakfast group lost 23. However, four months after that, the low carb dieters had regained 18 pounds, while the breakfast group had lost another 16 pounds.

Dr. Daniela Jakubowicz, who presented the study at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society, said low-carb diets are not good ways to lose weight because "they exacerbate the craving for carbohydrates." Only 5 percent of such dieters are successful after two years, she said.

Labels: diet, long_term_weight_loss, breakfast

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Children at risk for Type I diabetes might benefit from a diet rich in omega-3 fats, according to a new study from the University of Colorado.

Dr. Jill Norris and her colleagues followed 1,770 children up to 3 years old for six years. The children had risk factors for diabetes such as having a parent or sibling with the disease. The children who consumed foods high in omega-3 fats such as tuna, mackerel, and salmon had less evidence of an antibody associated with the development of Type I diabetes.

Dr. Norris, writing in the Journal of the American Medical Association, believes that some children may benefit from omega-3 supplements.

Labels: diet, diabetes

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Telling your overweight child to diet may backfire, according to a new study from the University of Minnesota.

Professor Dianne Neumark-Sztainer wanted to find out if sending parents "obesity report cards" from school did any good in helping overweight children win the battle of the bulge. Such reports are required by law in certain states.

Prof. Neumark-Sztainer used data on 300 overweight middle and high school students that had been collected by Project EAT. Sixty percent of the boys' parents and 46 percent of the girls' parents wrongly believed that their children were at their ideal weight. Of the rest of the parents who knew their children were overweight, 60 percent encouraged dieting.

Five years later Prof. Neumark-Sztainer reassessed the children. The ones who were encouraged to diet were more likely to still be overweight. The figures were 75 percent of boys whose parents encouraged dieting compared to 52 percent whose parents ignored the issue. Among girls, the figures were 66 percent compared to 44 percent.

Prof. Neumark-Sztainer believes the important thing for parents to do is to set a good example of healthy eating and appropriate exercise. She also indicated that "school obesity report cards" might be counterproductive.

Her study appears in Pediatrics.

Labels: diet, advice, parents

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The health risks associated with childhood obesity are well-documented and well-known. What many parents don't know is how much simple dietary changes can reduce a child's risk of becoming obese.

"In Philadelphia, five schools revised their cafeteria menus. They got rid of the sodas and replaced them with water, low-fat milk and 100 percent fruit juice. They also made sure that the snacks in the vending machines and cafeterias met certain nutritional requirements. Parents were also encouraged to give their children more fruits and vegetables."

A team of researchers then tracked Philadelphia students from fourth through sixth grade. They found that twice as many students became obese in the schools that did not revise their menus and snacks. Source: OnHealthyLiving.com.

Labels: diet, nutrition, health_risks

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Researcher Phoenix Gilman refers to low-fat diets as "myths". She cites not only the benefits of eating healthy fats like fresh cheese and eggs, but also the fact that healthy fats don't trigger insulin - which has to be present in order for the body to store fat.

"Though the low-fat diet has clearly not worked, the fear of eating healthy fat still runs rampant... However, those who follow Gilman's research are proving where the truth really lies. Her clients are losing weight - and keeping it off; reversing their type 2 diabetes; improving thyroid function... and achieving healthier cholesterol panels..."

Gilman goes on to say that low-fat diets often include too many carbs and too much sugar. Yogurt, low-fat milk, and even some fruits contain only 'simple carbs' - the same kind of sugar that's found in most candy bars and triggers insulin production. Read more at SnackandBakery.com.

Want to learn more about diets and weight loss programs? Visit the Weight Loss Help Directory for resources and information on how to lose weight and get healthy.

Labels: diet, healthy_eating, fats

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For over fifty years, nutritionists and doctors have depended on studies that prove adolescent acne is not related to adolescent diet.

Now an Australian study from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology found that teens who consume a healthy diet experience less acne.

Dr. Neil Mann and his colleagues had 22 males ages 15 to 21 years old follow the usual teen diet of white bread, potatoes, sugary drinks and snacks. A second group of 21 males was put on a healthy diet of whole grain breads and pasta, legumes, lean meat, fish, and lots of fruits and vegetables. Three months later, the boys on the healthy diet reduced their acne lesions in half and had no new lesions or infections.

"These results were astounding," Dr. Mann said.

This study appears in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Labels: diet, research, acne

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All of the talk about childhood obesity is causing some parents to panic. Their panic is leading to extreme food restrictions and criticisms of their children that may be making the problem worse.

"Food restrictions, pressuring and criticism don't work at any age, but especially not during adolescence, said [David] Ludwig, who believes such coercive strategies can have negative consequences. 'These methods teach children what not to do instead of what to do,' he said. 'They can leave a child feeling upset, erode self-esteem and take a toll on the parent-child relationship.'"

Studies have shown that restricting a child's food actually has the reverse effect. A child who's denied certain types of food, is more likely to become preoccupied with food and more like to overeat when given the chance. Read more at TheOlympian.com.

More important that rapid weight loss, are learning how to make healthy lifestyle choices. Learn how to make small, but important changes, in the Guide to Behavior Change.

Labels: diet, parenting, criticism

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One of the best ways to help your child make changes in her diet is to have her keep a food diary so that she is more aware of what she's presently eating. This may sound silly, but how many times have you grabbed a handful of pretzels while passing the kitchen, or nibbled on cheese while cooking? It's easy to consume a lot of extra calories before you realize it.

A diet diary can also be a useful tool for figuring out personal triggers for unhealthy eating, such as snacking while watching TV, or eating when feeling stressed.

The diet diary should be kept for 3-7 days without changing normal habits. Everything that is consumed should be recorded, including snacks, drinks, and extras such as dressing and condiments. Some of the things to include in a diet diary are:

Time of day
Type of food
Amount of food (approximately 1 cup, a handful)
Where you are when eating
Who you are with
Mood or feelings at the time of eating (happy, stressed out, angry, neutral)

It's important for the food diary to reflect normal eating patterns rather than an attempt at eating correctly. This way you and your child can look at the diary and see what kinds of changes can be made to improve the diet. For example, if she tends to munch on snacks when feeling stressed, you can discuss other options, such as taking a walk with the dog, calling a friend, or taking a bath.

Labels: diet, nutrition, fast food, food diary

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Overweight girls who lose weight before they reach adulthood are less likely to develop diabetes, according to a new study from the National Institute of Health and Harvard University.

• Researchers analyzed data on 109,000 female nurses, of whom 3300 developed diabetes.
• If a woman was obese when she was 18 years old, she had nine times the risk of diabetes.
• If she had been overweight at age ten but not overweight at age 18, her chances of developing diabetes were no greater than those who were normal weight as children.

"These findings suggest that ensuring that overweight kids reverse their weight gain is critical to their future risk of diabetes as adults," said author Edwina Yeung.

This study appeared in the journal Diabetes Care.
 

Labels: diet, diabetes, girls

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Poor diet and insufficient exercise puts children at risk for asthma even if they are of normal weight, according to a new study from the West Virginia School of Medicine.

• Dr. Giovanni Piedmonte and colleagues used data collected on 18,000 children ages 4 to 12 years old that included information on demographics, body mass index, and metabolic dysfunction.
• Asthma was more likely to occur among those with high triglyceride levels and those who had biomarkers for insulin resistance.
• Both of these as well as asthma are more prevalent among overweight and obese children, but Dr. Piedmonte found that asthma could develop into normal weight children who also had both metabolic markers.

"Both imbalanced nutrition and inadequate exercise may play a role in metabolic syndrome, and our experience suggests that degree of physical activity may be as important as nutrition," said Dr. Piedmonte. "Our present data suggest that strict monitoring and dietary control of triglyceride and glucose levels starting in the first years of life may have a role in the management of chronic asthma in children."

This study appears in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Labels: diet, exercise, asthma

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Forty percent of the food the children eat has little or no nutritional value, according to a new study from the National Cancer Institute in Maryland.

"This number is staggering and depressing," said Professor Kelly Brownell of Yale University.

The study found that half of the calories that children ages 2 to 18 year old consume every day come from six foods:

1. sweetened soda
2. sugary fruit drinks
3. grain desserts, such as cake, cookies, and doughnuts
4. dairy desserts such as ice cream
5. pizza
6. whole milk.

Soda with sugar accounted for ten percent of their daily calorie intake.

"High added sugar consumption, which occurs most commonly in the form of sugar sweetened beverages, is associated with a constellation of cardiovascular risk factors and the development of obesity," said Dr. Rae Ellen Kavey of the University of Rochester's Medical Center Department of Pediatrics.

The study appears in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association
 

Labels: diet, nutrition, junk food

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