Three middle schools replaced snacks and beverages that did not meet nutrition guidelines, whereas three comparison schools made no systematic changes. Findings indicate that removing low nutrition items from schools decreased students’ consumption with no compensatory increase at home. This dispels concerns that such efforts will have unintended negative consequences.
Obesity Paradox
May 19
Obese Heart Patients May Live Longer. Obesity is a leading cause of heart disease, but as a group, heart patients who are overweight or obese live longer than lean patients and respond better to treatment. It’s called the obesity paradox, and a new review of the research shows that it is real.
With a built-in accelerometer the iPhone senses motion and can be made to measure metabolic activity with the free program Walk n’ Play. Walk n’ Play allows players to compete in real time against another iPhone user or against a simulator and watch the calories burn off as they go about their everyday walking.
Researchers in Sweden found that among 579 adults ages 75 to 80 years, nearly 15 percent were at risk of malnutrition, based on their diet, weight and recent weight loss, and physical and mental well-being.
A study published in the journal Appetite shows that 66% of adults living in Spain eat fruit with their main meals, particularly from Monday to Friday.The study, carried out on-line using a sample of 831 people living in Spain aged between 25 and 49, recorded their food intake during the day and related this to the social context of these kinds of foods.
These days participating in social media such as Twitter, Facebook, blogging and more is almost required for any entrepreneur or business, small or large.
Leo Babauta from Zen Habits gives some tips that will help you stay in touch, and continue to participate in cyber conversations, without losing sight of your mission and the important work you need to get done. These include:
- Use simple tools to make the most of social media
- Focus on sending out high impact messages
- Let go of the need to read everything. Learn to scan
- Figure out which social media give you the most value, and simplify
- Form close relationships with people who give you the most value, not everyone
- Manage your time wisely
Could sleep be a critical component to maintaining a healthy body weight? According to new research to be presented on Sunday, May 17, at the American Thoracic Society’s 105th International Conference in San Diego, body mass index is linked to length and quality of sleep in a surprisingly consistent fashion.
The RWJF Active Living Research is calling for research proposals to investigate policies and environments to support active communities. RWJF supports research to identify promising policy and environmental strategies for increasing physical activity, decreasing sedentary behaviors and preventing obesity among children and adolescents. They place special emphasis on strategies with the potential to reach racial/ethnic populations and children living in lower-income communities who are at highest risk for obesity. Please note only US researchers can apply.
The Massachusetts Public Health Council approved rules requiring major chain restaurants to provide calorie information for the food that they sell.
Today’s children eat about 350 calories a day more than did kids in the 1970s, the equivalent of a small serving of french fries and a nondiet soda. Grown-ups eat about 500 calories more–about a hamburger’s worth. You could cut those calories by exercising more, of course, but that would require 150 minutes more of walking each day for a child and 110 minutes for adults. Not too realistic.