Researchers have found that communities with an abundance of fast-food and convenience stores have much higher rates of obesity and diabetes.

"Dr. Francine Kaufman, one of the nation's leading childhood diabetes experts, said the new research demonstrates that staying healthy is not simply a matter of personal responsibility."

Dr. Kaufman works with programs that help small neighborhood markets buy refrigerators so they can sell fresh produce. Source: Detroit News

Labels: community, fast_food, junk_food

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

British media regulator Ofcom stopped short of a total ban on junk food advertisement aimed at children. It's a move that has disappointed the British Heart Foundation and consumer groups, which called for a complete ban on all junk food advertising before 9pm.

"Under the plans, celebrities and characters from films or TV programs would not be allowed to take part in any food or drink commercial targeted at the under-10s. Adverts showing excessive consumption would also be discouraged. Ofcom research indicates TV adverts have a 'modest direct effect' on children's food choice."

Ofcom goes on to say, however, that exercise, family eating patterns and school policies play a greater role than advertising. Read more at BBC.co.uk.

Labels: advertising, influences, junk_food

A study that was conducted in 2003-2004 and is being published in the journal Pediatrics found that advertising during kids' TV shows was almost entirely comprised of junk food ads.

"A nine-month survey of the nutritional content of food ads in 170 top-rated [according to Nielsen] TV shows with kids 2-17 concluded that 97.8% of those food ads viewed by young children (2-11) were for foods with poor nutritional content, and 89.4% of ads for teens (12-17)."

The survey did not include fast food advertisements. The senior Vice President of the American Association of Advertising Agencies has argued that the findings are in opposition to a study conducted by the FTC but, while the FTC study found that ads for junk food hadn’t increased significantly in 30 years, it also found that 95% of all ads were for restaurants, fast or junk foods.

Copper Canyon Academy all girls schools help struggling girls find their way back on track.

Labels: advertising, junk_food, TV

For years, family physicians have warned parents against giving their kids too much fruit juice because it was linked to obesity. But a recent study has found that 100 percent fruit juice with no sugar added does not contribute at all to childhood obesity.

"Other studies, meanwhile, have found that many fruit juices provide powerful health benefits, [Pamela] Rockwell notes. Research in recent years has identified ways that beverages such as pomegranate, orange and cranberry juices can help to prevent or cure diseases."

Parents still need to be careful what they give their children. Most fruit juice drinks are not 100 percent natural, and many have high concentrations of corn syrup, which is connected to many health issues.

Labels: diseases, healthy_eating, junk_food

At a Federal Trade Commission Forum on Wednesday, eleven of the nation's biggest food and beverage companies signed contracts agreeing to limit the kinds of products they'll market to children. The pledges came from companies like Coca-Cola, McDonald's USA, Kraft Foods Inc. and General Mills who are promising to restrict advertising to kids 12 and younger.

"If the task force determines that these pledges do not go far enough, legislation may follow, said Gary Knell, the task force's volunteer chairman and the chief executive of Sesame Workshop, an educational organization."

The task force on media and childhood obesity led by Senators Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) is working on a report on media and childhood obesity.

Read more at LATimes.com.

Labels: advertising, junk_food, marketing

Some West Virginia schools, in an effort to address childhood obesity, have begun stocking cafeterias and vending machines with "faux-junk food". The pizza is made with low-fat cheese and a whole grain crust. The deep-fried super donuts are fortified with 5 grams of protein and 14 minerals and vitamins. But does this method teach the right kinds of eating habits?

"While the faux-junk food movement may be an appropriate stepping stone to healthy eating, some nutritionists say it could establish bad habits... [Dr. Stephen Daniels] worries that children who grow up eating faux-fast foods may have trouble making good food choices as adults."

Other nutritionists insist that children will eat healthier foods when they're prepared right, and that this establishes better eating habits as children learn how to correctly prepare and enjoy genuinely healthy food. Read more at MontereyHerald.com.

Labels: healthy_eating, junk_food, nutritionists

For years, there's been a commonly held belief that 100% fruit juice (possibly because of its high sugar content) increased the risk for weight gain among children. But the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey has shown that not to be true.

"In fact, children aged two to three who drank the most juice were nearly three times less likely to be overweight than children who drank no juice at all."

Kids who drank 100% fruit juice also consumed higher amounts of vitamin C, potassium, riboflavin, and magnesium. They were also more likely to consume whole fruit than kids who drank very little, or no, fruit juice. Read more at CTV.ca.

Labels: junk_food, nutrition, weight_gain