Eating breakfast may help teens stay slim, according to a new study from the University of Minnesota.

Researchers surveyed 2,216 students in middle school and high school in 1998, and again five years later. Teens that did not eat breakfast were five pounds heavier, exercised less, and made more unhealthy food choices throughout the day than those who ate breakfast regularly. More boys than girls skipped breakfast - 19 percent compared to 14 percent.

This study appears in the journal Pediatrics.

Labels: healthy_eating, unhealthy_food_choices

A recent study of more than 2,500 adolescents found that teasing, and pressure to lose weight often increased the risk of obesity in teens that were already overweight. The study also found that overweight teens were just as likely to use unhealthy weight-control measures (i.e. - purging, laxatives, or overuse of diet pills) as under-weight kids.

"Pushing diets won't help. Neither will teasing about weight. Instead parents should focus on having frequent family meals, creating a positive atmosphere at mealtimes, promoting physical activity and building self-esteem, the researchers recommend."

About one-fourth of the overweight girls in the study reported using extreme measures to try and lose weight. The study emphasizes the fact that body-image and self-esteem issues lie at the heart of weight problems at both ends of the spectrum.

Labels: body_image, self_esteem, unhealthy_food_choices

Most teens exercise too little and eat too many unhealthy foods - according to a study of Australian teens. Despite all of the warnings about obesity and its health risks, little is changing about the eating and exercise habits of today's adolescents.

"The survey, published in the September issue of Health Promotion International, found most students did less than one hour of physical activity a day. 'We found that only 14 percent of students engaged in recommended levels of physical activity,' [Dr. White] said."

The Australian department that oversees health issues recommends at least an hour of moderate physical exercise every day, and no more than two hours sitting in front of computer and television screens. Read more at News.com.au.

Labels: activity, exercise, unhealthy_food_choices

Believe it or not, children gain more weight during the summer than they do during the school year. Though kids are outside playing more, they're also snacking more and eating fewer structured meals. Keeping healthy snacks in the house will help your kids not only eat well but avoid the customary summer weight gain.

"With simple substitutions, brown rice instead of white, wheat pasta with cheese instead of that orange and blue mac and cheese box, children will stay fit and healthy this summer."

Do your best to avoid enriched flour and use things made with whole wheat instead. Also consider mixing some dark green veggies into a standard iceberg lettuce salad. Read more at 9WSYR.com.

Summertime is great for getting outside to play and exercise. Get an Education in Fitness from the WeightLossHelpDirectory.com.

Labels: snacks, unhealthy_food_choices, weight_gain