As I point out in my book, SuperSized Kids: How To Protect Your Child from the Obesity Threat, and on my SuperSized Kids Website, many parents overlook their child’s unhealthy weight because they believe it is normal, research suggests. Now, another study proves my point.

More Information:

Three-quarters of middle schools have vending machines where snacks and sugared drinks are sold, a new study finds. The research demonstrates that there are vending machines in most middle schools, and “that those vending machines don’t always have the healthiest choices,” said study author Amy Virus, a registered dietitian with the Center for Obesity Research and Education at Temple University in Philadelphia.

My Take?

The weather is getting cooler and the days are getting shorter. As seasonal changes begin, it’s easy for people to get into a rut when it comes to dieting and exercise. And that rut can translate into extra pounds once the holiday parties start rolling around.

My Recommendations:

HealthDay News is reporting that healthy foods should be included on the list of back-to-school supplies for your children. Dietitian Catherine Kraus explained that a healthy, balanced diet enables neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain) to function more efficiently, resulting in improved concentration and memory.

My Take?

USA TODAY is reporting that as kids are heading back to school, that many parents are scrambling for ideas for quick breakfasts and easy bagged lunches. USA TODAY asked two registered dietitians to give parents ideas for healthful meals to pack at home. 

My Take?

Reuters is reporting that a new rule requiring New York chain restaurants to post calorie information on their menus took effect on Friday, marking a first for a U.S. city. The move follows the city’s 2003 ban on public smoking and a ban on artery-clogging trans fats that began on July 1.

My Take?

WebMD Health News is reporting on a major change in baby nutrition advice that’s gone nearly unnoticed. This week, the American Academy of Pediatrics changed its recommendation that weaned babies be fed whole milk until they’re 2 years old. Instead, after weaning, kids at risk of being overweight — or whose families have a history of obesity, heart disease, or high cholesterol — should get reduced-fat 2% milk between 12 months and 2 years of age.

My Take?

Reuters is reporting a study of childhood obesity in which University of Toronto nutritionist Harvey Anderson found that kids who watched TV while eating lunch took in 228 extra calories than those who ate without the television on. “One of Anderson’s conclusions is that eating while watching television overrides our ability to know when to stop eating,” the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, which funded the study, said on Tuesday.

My Take?

Reuters Health is reporting a study in which researchers found that when they had 30 young women eat a lunch of pasta, tomatoes, and cheese, the diners consumed an average of 70 fewer calories when they ate the meal slowly and chewed the food thoroughly. The findings give scientific support to a long recommended weight-control tactic, the researchers report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

 My Take?

Reuters Health is reporting that the current epidemic of childhood obesity is going to lead to an epidemic of young adults with type 2 diabetes. Ultimately, this may lead to shorter life spans.

My Take?

Reuters is reporting that New York City’s ban on trans-fats in restaurants, which took full effect on Tuesday, is the first of its kind among major U.S. cities. The move follows the city’s 2003 ban on public smoking.

My Take?

HealthDay News has an informative review on Trans Fat labeling. The bottom line? Trans fat is always unhealthy, since no amount of the artery-clogging artificial fat is good for you. But, it may be hard to get that from food labels.

My Take?