American Diet: A Boost to the Whole Grain and Healthy Food Industry
With the rise in obesity rate across the US, the Obama administration is keen on combating the most serious epidemic in America by enjoining every Americans to live a healthy lifestyle. Concerted effort made by the government, educational institutions, health advocates, private organizations, and corporates with new healthy food companies proliferating across the country.
Obesity if not prevented can cause detrimental effects leading to serious illnesses such as hypertension, heart disease and diabetes. It can also give psychosocial consequences such as low self esteem and depression. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions shows that 12.5 million American kids whose ages range from 2 to 9 years are obese making up 17% percent of the population which triples the percentage three decades earlier.
Family Exercise By Dr. Oz
Let’s face it, technologies sometimes teach us to be physically less active. Is your family getting enough or even a bit of exercise in a day? Most probably they’re not, because of increasing hours in front of computers and TV. Technology has lots to offer.
Children needs at least 60 minutes a day to do some exercise and shed some sweat. Less than 60 minutes of active
physical activities may lead to health issues like heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Children don’t need to particularly join exercise class. Activities such as tag, basketball, playing with soccer ball, or simply walking with their friends in neighborhood are a good form of exercise. When the sun is out, there is actually no reason not to go outside and enjoy. If they want they can play chasing bubbles and play hoola-hoop for more fun. Engaging your kids to simple outdoor chores to make their time useful such as raking some leaves, watering the plants can be a good form of exercise too.
Childhood Obesity As A National Security Threat
When First Lady Michelle Obama launched her Let’s Move program she described childhood obesity as a national security threat. “A recent study put the health care cost of obesity-related diseases at $147 billion a year,” Mrs. Obama said. “This epidemic also impacts the nation’s security, as obesity is now one of the most common disqualifiers for military service.”
The statement happened at a ceremony at the White House during the launching of the First Lady’s “Let’s Move” campaign which was attended by many officials of the President’s cabinet. And on December 2010, a few days before ushering the New Year, a new nutrition bill was signed into law by President Barack Obama to promote better eating habits among children.
What Kids Think About Childhood Obesity
Nowadays, adults are getting worried with the rising numbers of overweight kids. Kids know it also. In a KidsPoll, 1,168 boys and girls were asked on the issue and it was found out that 52% of them agreed that there are too many overweight kids.
“This is important because knowing there is a problem is the first step to getting answers to solve the problem,” says Dr. Sandra Hassink. Dr. Hassink is a doctor in Delaware who has been helping kids resolve their weight problems. So, read on to find out more about the issue on childhood weight problems.
Fresh Healthy Vending Foods in Schools
According to Philip Brasher on his report yesterday at The Des Moines Register Online, the government wants children to eat nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables although it seems that they are putting the money where it is advice and expected to be. The U.S. Department of Agriculture spent buying the needs for healthy school lunches in a different manner. For every dollar spent, 55 cents went to chicken, beef and cheese and only 23 cents went to fruits and vegetables.
A group of lowa business leaders were stumped by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack when he asked them what was the single food item for schools that the U.S. Department of Agriculture spent the most on, and was answered, mozzarella cheese!
Obese Kids Prone to Bullying?
Bullies have been around for a very long time. Different kids, regardless of the difference, have always faced problems with bullies, and being overweight falls under the “different” category.
According to one study published in the “Pediatrics” journal, obese children in grades 3 through 6 are more likely to be bullied than children who aren’t overweight regardless of academics, social skills, race, or gender. The study showed that 45% of children in these grades were bullied with obese children being 63% more likely to be bullied.
How to Have a Healthy Lifestyle
Weight problems are one of the most common healthy problems that American people are dealing with; not only American people, but I guess people all over the world. But the fact remains that the people in the South, got some more extra pounds than the others. Smoking is another common health issue that we are facing and have to deal with. If we are one of them, how can we convince ourselves to have a healthy lifestyle?
As most– if not all, know that obesity related health issues cost our country billions annually. The link between obesity and different diseases and illnesses such as diabetes, heart problems and hypertension is very close, too close that most obese got one or all of these diseases. Smoking does the same. If you smoke, more or less within 10-15 years, you will be dealing with lung or throat cancer. Though we cannot avoid each and every disease, living a healthy lifestyle, maintaining a healthy body mass, and quitting smoking are ways to improve our immune system and live a healthier life.
Childhood Obesity is out of Control in the US
n spite of the Obama Administration’s all-out war against childhood obesity, statistics show that it is running out of control across the nation. It is becoming the most serious epidemic in America. It is ironic that children from around the world suffer malnutrition from lack of food or lack of healthy foods but America is over-eating. Statistics from the Center for Disease Control shows that 34% of American adults are overweight, while 17% percent of US children are obese, tripling the percentage 30 years ago.
Obesity, if not prevented, will have a detrimental effects leading to many illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Add to these illnesses are the psychosocial consequences to children which includes low self-esteem and lower quality of life which may lead to depression and making obesity-related medical costs surge. In fact, a new research shows that nearly 17% or around $168 billion of US health care cost is attributed to obesity, making an impact on medical spending of the government.
Children Getting Healthier in Schools?
For parents the best you can offer your child or invest in their future is by choosing the best educational institution for them. It is the most important decision a parent can do. As parents, we know for a fact that the school environment affects a child’s growth-emotionally, mentally, physically- making up a unique individual.
The dilemma now is, are we really sure that our child is getting all the needed nurturing and proper healthy foods in schools? Nurturing here means if your child is being offered a curriculum and food necessary to their well-being. Remember that all schools are not the same so it is better for parents to know what the school is offering your children.
Fresh Healthy Vending Reviews Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act
Last month, the Senate passed a bill that aims to reduce hunger and obesity. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act will reauthorize the nation’s child nutrition programs such as School Breakfast, School Lunch and Children nutrition program for pregnant women, infants, and children. These Fresh Healthy Vending reviews are meant to provide an overview on the Healthy Hunger Free Kids act and to discuss the nutrition labeling issues that are moving forward. There is much to like about this Kids bill, which improves the nutritional quality of school meals and invests in strategies to enhance access to healthy foods. Part of the standards include food labeling issues that are long over due.
But more than just the nutritional content, it also serves as guide to planning healthier meals and snack. As the fight against obesity continues across the nation, the FDA released draft guidelines requiring restaurant chains and vending machines to also display the nutritional content or the number of calories in their food. Under Section 2572 of the 2,000 page document authorized by healthcare legislation, it states that the calorie information be posted in the same size type menu item for restaurants and vending machines should display the information in a noticeable appearance.