Kids & Obesity

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Harvard Medical School is asking doctors to recommend that youngsters eat old-fashioned family dinners at home to prevent obesity and curb risky habits. “Doctors should encourage teens to limit their intake of food prepared away from home and eat family dinners together,” said Dr. Elsie Taveras, a pediatrician and childhood obesity specialist who led the research. Home is simply healthier, she said. The prime benefit is “improved diet quality.”

“At-home dinners have also been found to reduce high-risk adolescent behavior such as tobacco, alcohol and marijuana use,” said Dr. Taveras, categorizing the family dinner as “protective.” Other research supports such findings. A Columbia University study of teen lifestyles last year, for example, found that among teenagers who almost never broke bread with their families, 72 percent were more likely to use illegal drugs, smoke and drink alcohol. The Harvard researchers tracked the food choices, weight, physical activities and social habits of 14,355 children, ages 9 to 14, from all 50 states.

Fast food was a major factor in their lives; up to four times a week. The number of heavy feeders—those putting away up to seven servings of fried food outside home per week—has more than doubled among teens in the past three years.

Dr. Taveras suggests that a nutritional reality check for both children and parents is in order, deeming it a “public-health strategy.” Co-author Dr. Matthew Gillman agrees.

“In today’s fast-food environment, it’s a challenge for teenagers and their families to eat what’s nutritious and healthful,” he said. But it’s doable, particularly as McDonalds, Burger King and other restaurant chains tweak their menus to include lighter fare. Ignore fried stuff and go for “modest portions of grilled chicken or fish, a salad, some fruit,” Dr. Gillman said. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advocating another old-fashioned idea for children to counter obesity and prevent heart disease, diabetes and other ills—walking to school. In 1969, half the nation’s youth walked or biked to school, compared with 15 percent today, according to a CDC report released last week.

And no wonder: The report found that 61 percent of America’s parents said distance was the worst barrier to walking to school; among other obstacles, 30 percent cited traffic, 19 percent weather, 12 percent crime and six percent “school policy.”

The transportation bill that Congress passed earlier this year, however, has a surprise tucked away for parents and children alike. The bill set aside $612 million for a “Safe Routes to School” initiative— adding sidewalks, boosting traffic enforcement and starting a program that buses children to one mile from school. Accompanied by two adults, the children walk the rest of the way. It is, the initiative explained, “a walking school bus.”

Comments

• 
  

• Tip of the Month

  January 2012

  Smart Starbucks and Steakhouse Choices

  Starbucks Choices
  • Peppermint Choc Mocha- 520cals, 20g fat
  • Pumpkin Frappuccino- 420cals, 13g fat
  • Flavored Latte- 360clas, 16g fat
  • Latte- 220cals, 15g fat
  • Coffee w/cream and sugar 180 calories
  • Cappuccino- 120cals, 4g fat
  • Coffee w/sugar 90 calories
  • Coffee w/cream 90 calories
  • Coffee w/whole milk 60 calories
  • Coffee w/skim milk 30-50 calories

  Order a coffee with cream and sugar every work day?  Add 900 calories per week to your diet.  That is over 13 pounds in one year.

  Enjoy a cappuccino every day instead, and you save 300 calories per week, and cut 4 pounds per year from the above diet.

  Go to coffee with skim milk and Splenda?  Now you are only adding 250 calories per week, and under 4 pounds per year in coffee weight.

  Enjoy a flavored frappucino or latte once per week?  That could add up to 26,000 calories, and another 7.5 pounds per year.

  Just your coffee could account for 20 pounds of caloric intake annually!

  Steakhouse Choices
  • Caesars Salad- 800cals
  • Chopped Salad, 320cals
  • Spinach Salad, 170cals click here for more »

  click here to read past tips

• Recipe of the Month

  January 2012

  Drink alcohol a little more wisely!

  Drink Choices
  • Eggnog, 350cals
  • White Russian, 260cals
  • Riesling, 160-200cals
  • Shot of liquor, 70-125cals
  • Tonic or Soda, 100cals
  • Winter Beer, 150-200cals
  • Beer, 150cals
  • Bloody Mary, 130cals
  • Wine, 120cals
  • Light Beer, 55-85cals
  • Champagne, 85cals
  Enjoy a small glass of eggnog and two gin and tonics, and you have drank 750 worthless calories.
  Or, start with some champagne, and enjoy two glasses of wine and you only have drank 330 calories, less than half of your first choices.