Archive for category Nutrition and obesity

Obesity Associated With Worsening Cognitive Function In Older Men

Older men with higher levels of fat appear more likely to experience declines in cognitive function over seven years, but the same association does not appear to occur in older women. This is based on data from University of California-San Francisco where 3,054 elderly individuals were studied.

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Family Meals and Better Eating Habits in Adolescents

Researchers from University of Minnesota report on one of the first studies to examine the long-term benefits of regular family meals for diet quality during the transition from early to middle adolescence. In general, the study found adolescents who participated in regular family meals reported more healthful diets and meal patterns compared to adolescents without regular family meals. See also: http://www.healthscout.com/news/1/624813/main.html

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New Danish report published yesterday on food and learning

The focus of the report is on measurable effects of breakfast on behaviour and learning. Including the effect of relatively short dietary interventions on specific cognitive functions such as memory and attention. It appears that the largest beneficial effect may be observed in children with the poorest habitual diet. This group may also be expected to benefit most from interventions such as the provision of school meals. The report was prepared by researchers from University of Copenhagen and it has a short English summary.

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Label war in the UK: GDA vs traffic lights

Sainsbury, Asda and Waitrose, the Co-Op and Marks and Spencer have all opted for the Food Standard Agency-approved traffic-light label.

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Stores introduce new NuVal nutrition information

Store are looking to make nutritional information more user-friendly. Read more here: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/feb/18/grocery-store-uses-special-labels-help-customers-e/?city_local

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10 Healthiest Fast Food Retaraunts in the US

For decades fast food has been written off as ultimately unhealthy and fattening. So much of it is fried, processed, or both. But in its March issue, Health magazine tells about the top ten healthiest fast food chains in the country.

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4 Easy Ways to Prevent Mindless Eating

Obesity requires a broad, societal solution’”one that may include greater regulation or taxation of the food industry, school- and community-based nutrition education, and city planning that makes it more attractive to walk or ride a bike than drive. But that doesn’t mean, however, that individuals are powerless in the face of our current environment. You can control at least some of the thousands of cues that bombard you every day. Here are four top tips for preventing mindless eating: 1. Use a smaller plate’”but not too small 2. Don’t eat family style 3. Use the rule of two at restaurants 4. Put a barrier between you and your snacks. Source: Brian Wansink.

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Half of all Irish consumers ignore food labels

The survey of Irish consumers’ use and understanding of nutrition labels, carried out by Sarah Keogh, an independent consultant dietician, showed that 61 per cent of males and 40 per cent of females never read the nutrition label before purchase.

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School and home environment and 11-year-olds’ f&v intake

This study examined the importance of school environment in Danish data from the European 2003 Pro Children Survey. Most of the total variance in students’ f&v intake occurred at the individual level (93-98%). The small school-level effects on 11-year-olds’ fruit and vegetable intake imply that family level interventions may be more important and that the success of school interventions will rely on the degree of parental involvement.

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School Lunches Too Fatty and Sugary, Critics Say

Assessment urges more veggies plus restrictions on unhealthy options. Find a series of articles in a supplement to the February issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

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