This Australian study published in 2008 examined associations between density of and proximity to fast food outlets and body weight in a sample of children and their parents. Among 13-15-year-old girls and their fathers, the likelihood of overweight/obesity was reduced by 80% and 50%, respectively, if they had at least one fast food outlet within 2 km of their home. While consumption of fast food has been shown to be associated with obesity, this study provides little support for the concept that exposure to fast food outlets in the local neighbourhood increases risk of obesity.
A South Carolina House subcommittee on Wednesday approved a measure aimed at curbing the availability of junk food in schools, the Columbia State reports. Under the bill, schools would be required to replace sugar-laden beverages and fatty snacks sold in cafeterias and vending machines with water, fruit juice, milk, granola bars and other nutritious snacks.
Schools across Colorado are taking steps to ensure they comply with a new statewide ban on the sale of soda in schools
Eating just one more serving of green leafy vegetables or three more servings of fruit a day reduces the risk of developing Type II diabetes, according to results of data analysis performed by researchers in the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and the Harvard School of Public Health. The research team also found that one serving of fruit juice a day increased the risk of Type II diabetes in women.
The focus group study concluded that to persuade this population to change their eating habits, it will be necessary to convince them that healthful food can be low-cost, convenient and palatable for children.
Obese women are more likely to give birth to children with spina bifida, heart problems, cleft palate and a number of other defects, British researchers said on Tuesday.
Researchers found adolescents are more likely to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day if their parents do. Contrarily, teens whose parents eat fast food or drink soda are more likely to do the same.
Children’s usual fruit and vegetable intake and its determinants were assessed through self-reports from the children (n 963) and their parents’ reports. Children reported lower availability and accessibility of fruits at home than did their parents, while the reports of children and parents for vegetables were more in agreement. The strongest determinants for fruit and vegetable intake according to the children’s reports were availability at home, modelling, demanding family rule and knowledge of recommendations. Interventions aiming to increase fruit and vegetable intake among children must target the parents.
A unanimous vote by county commissioners Thursday made Multnomah County in Oregon the third place in the US to require big chain restaurants and coffee shops to include calorie counts on menus, menu boards, drive-through order boards and food tags at buffets and self-service stations.
The prevalence of diabetes for all age-groups worldwide was estimated to be 2.8% in 2000 and 4.4% in 2030. The total number of people with diabetes is projected to rise from 171 million in 2000 to 366 million in 2030.