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

The My Overweight Child blog will help you keep informed about the latest research, findings, and resources available to parents of overweight or obese kids. There are many knowledgeable people working on the increasingly dire problem of childhood obesity - and we want to give parents a place where they can check in regularly to see the latest studies and tips available to help you help your child lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

We invite you to add your comments - if you have feedback for the blog, would like some specific topics covered, or you just want to share your experience as a parent dealing with childhood obesity.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Fortified "Faux-Junk Food"

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

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Thursday, May 17, 2007

Gatorade Contributing to Childhood Obesity

Gatorade has recently released its first sport drink aimed at children under thirteen. Called "Active Under 13s", the new drink has some pediatricians, nutritionists, and dentists upset.
"...Dr. Louise Baur, a pediatrician at the Children's Hospital at Westmead and the director of the University of Sydney's NSW Centre for Overweight and Obesity, said sports drinks were unnecessary for children and adolescents, and their consumption was part of the growing childhood obesity problem."
Dentists are also concerned with the high sugar content, which can not only cause problems with obesity but with tooth decay as well. Read more at SMH.com.au.

Labels: pediatricians, nutritionists, sports_drinks

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments