Archive for category Nutrition and obesity

Produce Safety

Health Canada has launched a new series of fact sheets on the safe handling of fresh produce to help Canadians reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Find Fresh Produce Safety general facts and fact sheets on Melons, Tomatoes, Fresh Herbs, Leafy Greens and Mushrooms.

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Obese young adults risk disability later

A study of more than 2,800 U.S. adults in their 70s found that those who were overweight or obese at any point in adulthood had an increased risk of developing problems with walking and climbing stairs.

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School obesity program shows some benefits

An obesity-prevention program tested in several Dutch schools was able to cut down teenagers’ consumption of sugary sodas and curb body-fat gain. The DOiT program aimed to boost students’ exercise levels, steer them away from junk food and sugar-sweetened drinks.

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United Airlines begin to charge obese for 2nd seat

Chicago-based United says that it decided to adopt the tougher policy receiving more than 700 complaints last year from passengers “who did not have a comfortable flight because the person next to them infringed on their seat. Passengers who are too large to fit comfortably in single coach seat will be required to buy a second ticket or upgrade to business class, where seats are larger.

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Causal link between diet and coronary heart disease

A new systematic review concludes there is STRING evidence supporting a protective effect of vegetables, nuts, and “Mediterranean” and high-quality dietary patterns with CHD, and associations of harmful factors, including intake of trans-fatty acids and foods with a high glycemic index or load. Among studies of higher methodologic quality, there was also strong evidence for monounsaturated fatty acids and “prudent” and “western” dietary patterns. MODERATE evidence for fish, marine omega-3 fatty acids, folate, whole grains, dietary vitamins E and C, beta carotene, alcohol, fruit, and fiber.

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Influence of Cooking Methods on Antioxidant Activity of Vegetables

Some vegetable cooking methods may be better than others when it comes to maintaining beneficial antioxidant levels, according to a new study in the Journal of Food Science, published by the Institute of Food Technologists. Results showed that, depending on the vegetable, cooking on a flat metal surface with no oil and microwave cooking maintained the highest antioxidant levels.

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Regular family meals result in better eating habits for adolescents

Regular family meals, defined as five or more meals together per week, declined over time. Sixty percent of youth had regular family meals during early adolescence compared to 30% during middle adolescence. Having regular family meals at both Time 1 and Time 2 was associated with greater frequency of consuming breakfast and dinner meals and increased intakes of vegetables, calcium-rich food, dietary fiber, and several nutrients including calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and zinc five years later.

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A Report on State Action to Promote Nutrition, Increase Physical Activity and Prevent Obesity

From January to June 2008 US state lawmakers continued to address the nation’s childhood obesity epidemic. Legislators in 39 states introduced or acted on at least 320 bills related to obesity-prevention measures. Get a quick overview in this 15 page report fron RWJF.

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How to Go From Fat To Fit For Good

Enjoy the motivational, practical and some what alternative suggestions for how to transforming your body from out of shape to fit as a fiddle.

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Fast food and soft drinks may be making children fatter but they also make them happy

Using data 2001 from the National Health Interview Survey in Taiwan researchers looked at the fast food and soft drink consumption, body weight and level of happiness of 2,366 children aged between 2 and 12 years old. The study’s key finding was that children who ate fast food and drank soft drinks were more likely to be overweight, but they were also less likely to be unhappy.

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