Healthy Habits: news & trends on childhood obesity

Acting Deputy Surgeon General answers obesity questions

Rebecca — Tue, 11 May 2010 03:44:51 +0000

The Acting Deputy Surgeon General Dr. David Rutstein discussed the obesity trend. One in every three children in America are overweight or at risk of becoming obese. He answered these questions while at a childhood obesity conference organized by the Greater Houston Area Health Education Center. He talks about how the Office of the Surgeon General handles this issue and sets priorities.

Dr. Storey says soda has nutrients and water on NPR

Rebecca — Thu, 06 May 2010 21:21:27 +0000

This is a blog post about NPR’s All Things Considered on Tuesday night. It is an interesting look on one of the specific aspects of the show. Dr. Maureen Storey was one of the guests on the show and she said an interesting quote.

“Soda is comprised of mostly water,” Storey said. “A full-calorie soft drink has 90 percent water and a diet soft drink is 99 percent water. Water is the most important nutrient that we have…”

Soda taxes: good idea or bad idea?

Rebecca — Thu, 06 May 2010 02:00:21 +0000

NPR discusses taxes on sodas. There is also a segment where Gail Woodward-Lopez and Mauren Storey look at the different views of the health effects of soda.

Oregon has decreased rate of childhood obesity

Rebecca — Tue, 04 May 2010 20:30:00 +0000

Oregon has the lowest rate of childhood obesity in the country. Only about 10 percent o children in Oregon are obese. Mississippi has the highest rate of childhood obesity with more than a fifth of the kids in that state obese. However, all states, even Oregon, have not met the goal set for them by the Healthy People 2010 initiative. The goal was to only have five percent of children obese in 2010.

TV advertisements are culprit in case of childhood obesity

Rebecca — Sun, 02 May 2010 22:31:25 +0000

An editorial in discusses how the advertisements on television have a direct correlation to the large number of overweight children in America. It seems that watching television makes children more likely to be overweight. While the sedentary action of watching television does not help, research has found that the advertisements for food are the real problem.

Diabetes increasing in United States

Rebecca — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 01:38:47 +0000

This is an interview from TIME with weight specialist Dr. Howard Shapiro. Shapiro said that “one-third of everyone born in 2005 will have diabetes.” Shapiro discusses the correlation between obesity and diabetes.

Under secretary Concannon visits Riverside school district

Rebecca — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:33:54 +0000

Kevin Concannon, USDA under secretary for food, nutrition and consumer services blogged about his visit to Riverside Unified School District to celebrate the 5th anniversary of its Farmer’s Market Salad Bar program. The students get to enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables from local farmers and they get the chance to grow their own food. The school district also has a farm to school program where students learn from dietitians about how important it is to be aware of what they are eating.

Task force on Childhood Obesity and Rep. Youngue start turning proposals into laws

Rebecca — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:48:59 +0000

Rep. Douglas Youngue hopes to address childhood obesity. The Legislative Task Force on Childhood Obesity on Monday announced 14 recommendations to help people live healthier lives. Turning these proposals into laws could cost the state a lot of money. The committee is composed of six members from both the House and the Senate.

Michelle Obama talks to 100 policy makers about obesity at task force meeting

Rebecca — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 02:37:14 +0000

Michelle Obama led task force meeting with administration officials. They discussed statistics and did research on how to beat childhood obesity. They talked about issues like mandating recess and having work provide places for women to breast feed their babies because babies who are breast fed are less likely to become obese.

USA Today opinion, school served lunches vs. meals served at home

Rebecca — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 16:34:45 +0000

Kim Painter wrote an Opinions article for USA Today about if parents and the government should be so concerend about the lunches in schools. She points out that what happens at home is probably more important. Although, she does point out some movements against unhealthy school lunches that she agrees with including Fed Up With Lunch. This is a blog written by a mother who attends lunch with her child at day care everday and reports what is being served by the school.