Youth who study just a short walk from a fast-food outlet eat fewer fruit and vegetables, drink more soda and are more likely to be obese than students at other schools, according to research published in the American Journal of Public Health (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19106421?dopt=Abstract). The study, which involved more than 500,000 adolescents at middle schools and high schools in California, lends new fuel to a growing backlash against the fast-food industry as studies suggest they contribute to the rising obesity epidemic.
Coca-Cola has marketed Diet Coke Plus as “a good source of vitamins B3, B6, and B12, and the minerals zinc and magnesium.” It was launched in the United States in April 2007. This claim does not meet U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s standards, the agency said in a warning to the company on December 10th. “The FDA does not consider it appropriate to fortify snack foods such as carbonated beverages,” the agency said. Representatives for Coca-Cola defended the product’s claims.
Daily exercise fluctuations and dietary patterns during training predict fat regain in obese women
Jan 3
101 moderately obese Japanese women, 23 to 67 years of age, participated in 0- to 4-month training-education and a follow-up after 12 months. Dietary patterns of food groups during training-education were analyzed. The more rice, pickles, miso, alcohol, and meat the more weight regain. Those with smaller or no weight regain ate more bread, milk and dairy products, fruits, seeds and nuts and mushrooms. The more variation in daily exercise duration during training-education the more weight regain.
Even a few extra pounds and just a little inactivity increased the risk of heart failure in a major study of American doctors. What this study shows is that even overweight men who are not obese have an increase in heart failure risk, said Dr. Satish Kenchaiah, lead author of a report on the finding in the Dec. 23 issue of Circulation.
This paper outlines why the Government is developing a National Men’s Health Policy, what the Government wants the Policy to achieve, and gives information on the consultation process and how you can have your say.
The development of a new National Women’s Health Policy has moved a step closer with the Rudd Government’s release of a paper outlining the aims of the policy.
Only 3 percent of kids’ meals served at fast-food restaurants met federal dietary guidelines in the first study to examine the nutrient quality of such meals in a major U.S. metropolitan market. The study, “Nutrient Quality of Fast Food Kids Meals,” was recently published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Volume 88: 1388-1395).
Who are you kidding?
Jan 3
Women who misperceive their body weight are more likely to gain too much weight during pregnancy. A study published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth has shown that a poor estimation of one’s own size at the beginning of pregnancy is associated with excessive gestational weight gain, in both normal weight and overweight or obese women.
In a new study led by the University of Michigan Health System, women more than doubled their fruit and vegetable intakes and dramatically increased their consumption of “good” fats when they were counseled by registered dietitians and provided with a list of guidelines on the amount of certain foods they should eat each day. 69 women were folloewd for 6 months.
In small towns in the Midwestern US, people who eat out often at buffets and cafeterias and who perceive their community to be unpleasant for physical activity are more likely to be obese.