A group of nutritionists is teaming up with chefs from the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec to provide culinary expertise to Quebec daycares and early childhood centres. The goal is to help childcare centres develop healthier and tastier meals and snacks for kids.
176 boys and 169 girls aged 8-9 years old took part in a longitudinal study of associations between eating behaviours, PA and weight gain during childhood. Height, weight and waist circumference were measured, and PA data were collected using an Actigraph worn for 5 consecutive days. In boys, physical activity was progressively lower across the weight spectrum, but in girls physical activity was consistently low across all weight categories. Intervention is required prior to 8 years old to prevent weight-related declines in physical activity in boys and further research is required to determine at what age, if ever, weight related differences in physical activity are apparent in girls.
In California, children from low-income households are nearly three times more likely to be obese as children from affluent households, according to a new UCLA report. Statewide, 21 percent of teens living in low-income families are obese, researchers said, compared to eight percent of teens from more affluent families. The researchers blamed the disparity in obesity on a higher intake of sugary soda and fast food, fewer opportunities to participate in organized sports, more television watched, and less general physical activity. High numbers of fast-food restaurants and low numbers of parks in poorer neighborhoods contribute to the problem, they said. “Our neighborhoods are literally making us fat,” said Susan H. Babey, one of the policy brief’s authors. “We need better strategies and more thoughtful urban planning if we’re going to make our towns and cities livable, not just places where we live.”
The home and neighborhood environments may be important in obesity prevention by virtue of food availability, food preparation, cues and opportunities for physical activity, and family support. In-depth interviews were conducted with 60 African American and White adults over 50 years of age in two rural counties in Southwest Georgia. Neighborhood features that supported physical activity were plenty of land, minimal traffic and living in a safe and friendly neighborhood. The major barrier was lack of recreational facilities. The study suggests that successful environmental change strategies to promote physical activity and healthy eating in rural neighborhoods may differ from those used in urban neighborhoods.
Reducing the energy density of multiple meals decreases the energy intake of preschool-age children
Dec 13
In this crossover study 10 boys and 16 girls aged 3 to 5 were served manipulated breakfasts, lunches, and afternoon snacks 2 d/wk for 2 wk. Children consumed a consistent weight of foods and beverages over 2 d in both conditions, and therefore their energy consumption declined by 389 +/- 72 kcal (14%) in the lower-ED condition. Children’s energy intake is influenced by the ED of foods and beverages served over multiple days. These results strengthen the evidence that reducing the ED of the diet is an effective strategy for moderating children’s energy intake.
899 hospital employees participating in a worksite weight-gain prevention trial were analyzed. Greater perception of organizational commitment to employee health was associated with lower BMI. Greater perceptions of coworker healthy eating and physical activity behaviors were associated with fruit and vegetable and saturated fat consumption and physical activity, respectively. Conclusions: Improving organizational commitment and facilitating supportive interpersonal environments could improve obesity control among working populations.
Are people with the most behavioral goals to achieve more likely to meet more goals than those given fewer goals. 810 participants were randomly assigned to advice-only guidelines for blood pressure control (reduced sodium, increased physical activity), or guidelines plus the DASH diet (increased fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, reduced fat). At 6 months, 12% of Advice-Only, and 44% of those plus DASH met at least 3 goals. Conclusions: Those with the most goals to achieve reached the most goals.
Cabbage & Cancer
Dec 13
Although recent comprehensive reviews of numerous studies have purported to show the specific protective role of cruciferous vegetables, and particularly Brassicas, against cancer risk, the current epidemiological evidence suggests that cruciferous vegetable consumption may reduce the risk only of gastric and lung cancers. However, there is at present no conclusive evidence that the consumption of cruciferous vegetables attenuates the risk of all other cancers.
A new study from scientists in the US found that when women went on low or zero-carb diets they performed worse on thinking and memory tests compared to reducing calories without reducing carbohydrates. When they put carbs back into their diet, their thinking and memory skills went back to normal.
22 parents and 17 carers participated in 9 focus groups. Participants were from lower socioeconomic status, and Middle-Eastern and Chinese communities in the Sydney (Australia) metropolitan region. Learn what they think and do about physical activity and screen time.