Researchers investigated the appropriateness of basing childhood obesity interventions on expectations of return on investment (ROI). This study show that excess weight is indeed associated with greater medical expenditures even among children and adolescents. However, under current best practices, it is unlikely that interventions will be able to meet the level of effectiveness required at a low enough implementation cost to show positive ROI.
RWJF just published a summary of the latest research about the potential effects of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes on consumer behavior and health.
Although there are many significant differences between tobacco and SSBs, the tobacco example provides a model for how taxes can be used to promote public health. Emerging studies suggest that small taxes on SSBs are unlikely to affect obesity rates, but they can generate revenue that states can invest in improving public health.
Enjoy reading this 6 page-report.
Never smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and following a healthy diet—together appear to be associated with as much as an 80 percent reduction in the risk of developing the most common and deadly chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes, myocardial infarction, stroke, and cancer.
A woman’s choice of food is influenced by the gender of her dining companions, according to a new study published in Appetite. MResearchers at McMaster University in Canada observed 469 students as they ate in university cafes.
Two women eating together consumed an average of 665 calories each, but for a male and female pair the woman opted for just over 550 calories. When women dined in larger groups without men, their calorie consumption edged higher to almost 800. Men seem to eat the same amount regardless of their dining partners; a little over 715 calories on average.
California has become the first state to require chain restaurants to provide brochures listing calories, sodium, saturated fat, and carbohydrates for each menu item at their stores. Both sit-down and drive-through restaurants with more than 20 outlets in the state must comply.
In a series of experimental studies, Rudd Center researchers found that TV food advertisements increased automatic snacking by children and adults.
In the experiments, children and adults exposed to the advertising snacked more on available food, even if it was not specifically presented in the ads. The findings appear in the July issue of Health Psychology.
“This research shows a direct and powerful link between television food advertising and calories consumed by adults and children,” said Dr. Harris. “Food advertising triggers automatic eating, regardless of hunger, and is a significant contributor to the obesity epidemic. Reducing unhealthy food advertising to children is critical.”
753 men and women, all at least 65 years old, who had survived 5 or more years after a cancer diagnosis were interviewed. All were overweight to some degree, but none was morbidly obese.
When the interviewers asked about exercise, diet, weight status, and quality of life, they found that half the group got no more than 10 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per week, and only 7% had healthful eating habits.
Those who exercised more and had better diet quality also had better physical quality of life outcomes (e.g., better vitality and physical functioning) than those who exercised less and ate poorly. Also, the greater the body weight, the poorer the physical quality of life.
Despite rising levels of obesity, 23 per cent of five to 19-year-olds in the UK do not take part in organised sport. The findings are hugely embarrassing for the UK Government, which has pledged to get children and young people doing five hours of sport a week by 2010.
1. Exercise daily
2. Eat more fruits and veggies
3. Avoid tobacco.
4. Practice sun-safety
5. Get regular check-ups
According to The International Food Information Council, these are the top 3 “challenges” consumers face with the nutrition panel:
1. Misleading serving size.
2. Consumers do not consider their consumption of foods and beverages in the context of their daily intake. This is also true, as 63% of consumers do not know what their daily calorie intake should be. Do you know yours?
3. Consumers do not realize information to help them interpret daily context exists on nutrition panels.
The recommendations are:
1. Clarify serving size.
2. Call attention to daily intake.
3. Increase trustworthiness.
Hemi from fooducate also mentions the top 4 influences on a purchase decision as:
1. Taste
2. Price
3. Healthfulness
4. Convenience