(Source: www.examiner.com)
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Eating Disorders Blog
Friday, July 03, 2009
Obesity Rates Soaring Among Youth
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity rates among youth ages 12 to 19 have more than tripled in the last 20 years. Youth who suffer from obesity are much more likely to be overweight or obese as adults. They are also more likely to suffer from weight-related health problems such as heart disease, bone and joint problems, and type 2 diabetes. The CDC recommends using a body mass index calculator (many are available online) to determine if a young person is at risk for being overweight or obese. A key part of preventing or addressing obesity in youth is helping them to establish healthy eating and exercise habits, and encouraging a healthy self-esteem.
(Source: www.examiner.com)
(Source: www.examiner.com)
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Tennessee County Has 40 Percent Obesity Rate for Children
Nearly 40 percent of children in Knox County, Tenn., are obese, according to school district officials. That number represents a culmination of a steady rise in childhood obesity rates over the past 20 years.
Parents and schools are reacting to the news with plans to increase activity and nutrition programs for children. Knox County is joining with a national sandwich chain to promote healthy lunches for kids. In addition, the Knoxville Area Coalition on Childhood Obesity is focusing on prevention programs. Those include educating parents and children about the importance of regularly engaging in physical activity and limiting indoor sedentary activities, such as watching television and playing video games.
"Children who are obese end up with high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes, and the list goes on and on," said the coalition's coordinator, Eleanor Stevens. "A good rule is: for every hour of television, you need to be outside playing for an hour. There have been studies that have shown that kids who get up and move during the day actually do better."
(Source: www.volunteertv.com)
Parents and schools are reacting to the news with plans to increase activity and nutrition programs for children. Knox County is joining with a national sandwich chain to promote healthy lunches for kids. In addition, the Knoxville Area Coalition on Childhood Obesity is focusing on prevention programs. Those include educating parents and children about the importance of regularly engaging in physical activity and limiting indoor sedentary activities, such as watching television and playing video games.
"Children who are obese end up with high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes, and the list goes on and on," said the coalition's coordinator, Eleanor Stevens. "A good rule is: for every hour of television, you need to be outside playing for an hour. There have been studies that have shown that kids who get up and move during the day actually do better."
(Source: www.volunteertv.com)
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Sunday, September 06, 2009
Parent's Weight Loss Surgery May Affect Children
A woman who has weight-loss surgery before becoming pregnant may help to break the cycle of obesity in her family, according to a recent study by the State University of New York.
The study supports previous research showing that a woman's weight and her propensity for diabetes and heart disease can predispose her developing fetus to the same problems. The study also indicates that obese young women who wish to have children should consider achieving a healthy weight, whether through surgery or behavioral changes, before becoming pregnant.
"Our study confirms previous research showing that the intrauterine environment may be more important than genes and the post-natal environment when it comes to the association between maternal obesity and childhood obesity," said Dr. John Kral, lead author of the study. "Any medical or surgical treatment to reduce obesity and existing metabolic disorders before pregnancy can be an investment in the life of future offspring."
Researchers studied 49 women who had undergone weight-loss surgery, along with their 111 children who ranged in age from 2 to 25 years old. All of the study participants had children both before and after having weight-loss surgery. Researchers found that children who were born after their mother's surgery had reduced birth weight and waist circumference. They were also three times less likely to become severely obese compared to siblings born before their mother's surgery.
"For those women interested in both surgical treatment and having children, we believe surgery should come first," Kral said. "Preventing obesity and treating it effectively in young women could prevent further transmission to future generations."
(Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com)
The study supports previous research showing that a woman's weight and her propensity for diabetes and heart disease can predispose her developing fetus to the same problems. The study also indicates that obese young women who wish to have children should consider achieving a healthy weight, whether through surgery or behavioral changes, before becoming pregnant.
"Our study confirms previous research showing that the intrauterine environment may be more important than genes and the post-natal environment when it comes to the association between maternal obesity and childhood obesity," said Dr. John Kral, lead author of the study. "Any medical or surgical treatment to reduce obesity and existing metabolic disorders before pregnancy can be an investment in the life of future offspring."
Researchers studied 49 women who had undergone weight-loss surgery, along with their 111 children who ranged in age from 2 to 25 years old. All of the study participants had children both before and after having weight-loss surgery. Researchers found that children who were born after their mother's surgery had reduced birth weight and waist circumference. They were also three times less likely to become severely obese compared to siblings born before their mother's surgery.
"For those women interested in both surgical treatment and having children, we believe surgery should come first," Kral said. "Preventing obesity and treating it effectively in young women could prevent further transmission to future generations."
(Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com)
Labels: kids, surgery, weight loss surgery
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Friday, September 04, 2009
Children as Young as 10 Concerned about Body Image
Children as young as 10 years old are concerned with what constitutes the ideal body, according to a recent study that took place in Nova Scotia, Canada.
The study analyzed survey responses from more than 4,000 school-aged children. It determined that young girls' happiness was linked directly to how thin they were, while boys were happiest when they were neither too thin nor too heavy.
About 7 percent of girls reported that they didn't like the way they looked. The percentage of girls who were unhappy with their looks increased proportionately as respondents' body mass index measurements increased. Of girls with normal body weight, 5.7 percent didn't like the way they looked, versus 10.4 percent of overweight girls and 13.1 percent of obese girls.
Experts estimate that approximately 25 percent of Canadian children are now overweight or obese.
(Source: network.nationalpost.com)
The study analyzed survey responses from more than 4,000 school-aged children. It determined that young girls' happiness was linked directly to how thin they were, while boys were happiest when they were neither too thin nor too heavy.
About 7 percent of girls reported that they didn't like the way they looked. The percentage of girls who were unhappy with their looks increased proportionately as respondents' body mass index measurements increased. Of girls with normal body weight, 5.7 percent didn't like the way they looked, versus 10.4 percent of overweight girls and 13.1 percent of obese girls.
Experts estimate that approximately 25 percent of Canadian children are now overweight or obese.
(Source: network.nationalpost.com)
Labels: body image, kids
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Snack Ads Cause Children to Eat More
A new study has found that seeing food ads on television can influence children to eat more while watching. The experiment, conducted by the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale, monitored the behavior of 118 children, ages 7 to 11. The children were each given bowls of Goldfish crackers and left alone to watch a 14-minute cartoon. During commercial breaks, some of the children were shown advertisements for games and entertainment, while other children watched four advertisements for unhealthy snacks, such as waffle sticks with syrup, fruit roll-ups and potato chips.
The children who saw the food ads consumed 45 percent more Goldfish than the children who saw the entertainment commercials. Children viewing the food commercials consumed an average of 28.5 grams of Goldfish crackers, while children viewing entertainment commercials consumed 19.7 grams of Goldfish. Study authors said that the study suggests "a direct causal link between food advertising and greater snack consumption."
(Source: www.nytimes.com)
The children who saw the food ads consumed 45 percent more Goldfish than the children who saw the entertainment commercials. Children viewing the food commercials consumed an average of 28.5 grams of Goldfish crackers, while children viewing entertainment commercials consumed 19.7 grams of Goldfish. Study authors said that the study suggests "a direct causal link between food advertising and greater snack consumption."
(Source: www.nytimes.com)
Labels: advertisements, kids, tv, eating
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