Updated: May 28, 2010
Senate Targets Childhood Obesity With Ban on Sports Drinks in Schools. On Thursday, the state Senate passed a bill (SB1255) that would prohibit the sale of sugar-sweetened sports drinks in public middle and high schools as part of an effort to combat childhood obesity. California Healthline - May 28, 2010.
Mississippi One of 8 States Receiving $15K Grant to Address Childhood Obesity. An end result of the project is to link a health care professional to each elementary school within Hinds, Rankin and Madison counties to provide an educational resource to children, parents and staff in school wellness councils. ClarionLedger.com - May 27, 2010.
White House Kicks Off Summer Exercise Series on South Lawn. To show youngsters different ways of getting that recommended hour of daily exercise, the White House plans to invite local children, sports leagues, community programs and coaches to play sports and other activities on the South Lawn throughout the summer. Associated Press - May 26, 2010.
The High Cost of Cheap Food. The American industrial food system is bad for the planet, bad for farmworkers and bad for consumers. Marc Gunther - May 24, 2010.
Tackling the Obesity Epidemic. Availability of healthy and affordable food options, eating patterns, levels of physical activity, social and cultural attitudes around body weight, and many other factors all play a role in affecting obesity prevalence. Center for American Progress - May 24, 2010.
Oneco Elementary girls fight obesity with shoe design. A group of third and fourth graders created a shoe as part of a collaborative international project called Walk Our World, a global initiative to fight childhood obesity. Bradenton.com - May 24, 2010.
Designers Create Video Games to Teach Kids About Healthy Diets. Teams from Fairfax to San Francisco on Saturday raced to cram Agriculture Department data into video games targeting 9- to 12-year-olds or their parents. The Washington Post - May 23, 2010.
World Health Organization Targets Child Obesity with Food Marketing Curbs. Health ministers, alarmed at the growing number of obese children, agreed on Thursday to try to reduce children's consumption of junk food and soft drinks by asking member states to restrict advertising and marketing. Reuters - May 20, 2010.
Blue Cross Awards Grants to Improve Nutrition, Reduce Child Obesity. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has awarded $20,000 to $50,000 grants to 22 elementary schools and nine community groups to encourage students to exercise more, eat healthier and reduce weight. Crain's Detroit Business - May 20, 2010.
Council All but Kills Soda Tax. During a budget negotiations Thursday, council members battled for more than an hour over the proposal. The majority of D.C. Council members signaled their opposition Thursday to a 1-cent-per-ounce tax on soda, probably killing the proposal. The Washington Post - May 20, 2010.
W&M Study: With Childhod Obesity, Where You Live Matters. A study conducted by the Schroeder Center for Health Policy at the College of William & Mary shows a direct correlation between childhood obesity and the proximity of a child’s home to fast food restaurants. William & Mary - May 18, 2010.
Michelle Obama's 1.5 Trillion Calorie Cut. A coalition of major food manufacturers, including Campbell Soup, Coca-Cola, Kellogg, Kraft Foods and PepsiCo agreed to introduce healthier food alternatives, and cut down calories in existing products. EmaxHealth - May 18, 2010.
Bill Requires Schools to Fight Obesity. The Ohio Senate Tuesday approved a childhood obesity bill that also included a requirement for 30 minutes of physical activity every day. But after last-minute lobbying by schools, they won the ability to apply for a waiver from that requirement. Cincinnati.com - May 18, 2010.
Study Reveals Soaring Obesity Among Kansas Girls. From 2003 to 2007, the percentage of Kansas girls 10 to 17 years old who were obese nearly doubled, a new federal study shows. KansasCity.com - May 16, 2010.
Combating Childhood Obesity May Start in the Womb. Children whose mothers developed diabetes while pregnant are at increased risk of being overweight by age 11, a new study shows. Reuters - May 14, 2010.
Childhood Obesity Report Gives D.C. a Starting Point for Improving Diets. The White House may be leading the battle in the war against childhood obesity, but it's not alone. The Washington Post - May 12, 2010.
When Parent's Good Intentions Disparage Obese Children. Teasing about weight is not confined to schools-- it can also occur within the home, according to childhood obesity experts. CNN - May 12, 2010.
Childhood Obesity Task Force: Healthier Kids Through Transport and Community Design. Michelle Obama’s Childhood Obesity Task Force released its first Report to the President, “Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity Within a Generation,” as part of the national Let’s Move! campaign. The City Fix - May 12, 2010.
Childhood Obesity Shows Signs of Tapering, but It Remains a Public Health Problem. Without firm guidelines on how much extra weight is too much or how best to tackle it in growing kids, the problem of obesity in the young remains a complex challenge, researchers say. Scientific American - May 11, 2010.
White House Task Force Mulls Taxes, Regulation to Fight Childhood Obesity. White House task force applied pressure on the restaurant and beverage industries on Tuesday when it unveiled a comprehensive report on obesity among children. Atlanta Journal-Constitution - May 11, 2010.
Bottle-fed Babies May Eat More, Study Hints. Babies who are bottle-fed early on may consume more calories later in infancy than babies who are exclusively breastfed, a study published Monday suggests. Reuters - May 10, 2010.
Dr. Paul Cunningham: Childhood Obesity Epidemic Requires Call to Action. Below is an abridged version of “Fighting for our children, not just for ourselves,” a speech that was delivered on April 23 to the Pitt County branch of the NAACP. The Daily Reflector - May 9, 2010.
School Bets on Books to Beat Childhood Obesity. By explaining the brain-body-book connection children become stakeholders in their own health and learning. News Blaze - May 9, 2010.
The Threat of Childhood Obesity. U.S. News asked William Dietz, a medical doctor and pediatrics expert who directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, to discuss the nation's problems with childhood obesity and what parents can do to encourage healthy choices by their children. U.S. News & World Report - May 7, 2010.
D.C. Students Change Habits - One Fruit, Veggie at a Time. Sessions with a personal trainer and dietitian helped students think about the way they interact with food and how to exercise even if they don't have equipment or a ball. The Washington Post - May 6, 2010.
State Board of Education Approves New Nutrition and Activity Regulations for Schools. The Board's regulations would set baseline nutritional standards for foods provided outside reimbursable school meals, including items dispensed from school vending machines and sold through fundraisers. The standards would make Pennsylvania's response to the growing obesity epidemic one of the nation's strongest. PR Newswire - May 6, 2010.
Asheville High Students ENERGIZE! to Combat Obesity. Nieva Arana admits that if she weren't enrolled in Mission Hospital's ENERGIZE! program, she would most likely be sitting on the couch, eating and watching TV. Citizen-Times.com - May 5, 2010.
The Food Industry Follows Big Tobacco's Playbook. Is 'Big Food' the new 'Big Tobacco'? Diversity Inc - May 4, 2010.
Obese Children More Likely To Be Bullied, Regardless Of Gender, Race, Socioeconomic Status And Social Skills. Obese children's parents and guardians rate bullying as their top health concern - and previous studies have demonstrated that obese children who are bullied tend to be more susceptible to depression, anxiety, isolation and loneliness. Medical News Today - May 4, 2010.
Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation Forms Partnership With Discovery Education and Meredith Corporation to Fight Childhood Obesity. Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, which was launched last October, is a CEO-led organization and is a national, multi-year effort designed to help reduce obesity – especially childhood obesity – by 2015. PR Newswire - May 4, 2010.
D.C. Council to Vote for Bill That Tackles Childhood Obesity. Healthy Schools Act, a bill to improve the quality of school meals by adopting nutritional standards from the USDA and the Institute of Medicine, and also aims to increase physical activity among students in schools and afterschool programs. Examiner - May 3, 2010.USDA To Purchase $161.4 Million For Food And Nutrition Programs. “These purchases are a ‘win-win’ because they help provide healthy food to kids and families throughout the country, while benefiting producers by providing a customer for these products,” Vilsack said. GovMonitor - May 3, 2010.
First National Physical Activity Plan Is Up and Running. The first national, comprehensive plan to support and encourage physical activity among all Americans was released today at an event in Washington, D.C. PR Newswire - May 3, 2010.
D.C. Council Launching Campaign Against Childhood Obesity. The D.C. Council plans to give final approval Tuesday to school nutrition and physical education standards that would be among the strictest in the country, mandating that low-calorie and low-fat meals be served to about 71,000 students and eventually tripling the time they are required to spend exercising. The Washington Post - May 2, 2010.
Combating Childhood Obesity: Schools Offer Kids Exercise, Education and Health Assessments. At Eagle View Middle School in the Cumberland Valley School District, students are doing a Fitness Quest circuit that includes working with weights, spin bikes and Bosu balls for core strengthening. PennLive.com - May 2, 2010.
One Doctor’s Cure for Childhood Obesity, Bringing About a Revolution in the Way Families Eat. Dr. Marta Katalenas, a renowned Round Rock, Texas, pediatrician, has launched a local crusade called “The Prescription for Healthy, Happy Children–From Scratch,” to help families solve childhood obesity, weight and health issues at home. PRWeb - May 1, 2010.
Childhood Obesity: Tackling a National Epidemic. Author Eric Schlosser in his 2001 investigative book "Fast Food Nation" said it's no coincidence that the little pieces of fast food are wrapped up like presents, or that restaurant chains appeal to children's minds by employing "bright colors, a playground, a toy, a clown, a drink with a straw." Diversity Inc - April 29, 2010.
Cartoon Network to Launch MOVE IT MOVEMENT TOUR In Partnership with NASPE's LET'S MOVE In School Platform. Cartoon Network today is partnering with NASPE's LET'S MOVE In School platform to launch the MOVE IT MOVEMENT TOUR, an all-new summer-long initiative created to empower youth 6-14 to get more active in order to experience healthier lifestyles. dBusinessNews - April 29, 2010.
Americans Want Pizza, Burgers and Nuggets Pulled From School Menus, Poll Finds. A majority of Americans believe nutrition in local school meals falls far short of what children need, a new survey finds. And the foods people most associate with school meals – pizza, chicken nuggets and hamburgers – are the same foods they believe should be cut drastically from school menus. PR Newswire - April 28, 2010.Childhood Obesity and Diabetes: Two Sides of the Same Coin. TIME senior reporter Andrea Sachs met Dr. Shapiro over a healthy, veggie-laden lunch in Manhattan, where he has practiced medicine for 30 years. TIME - April 27, 2010.
Three Cleveland Institutions to Develop Early Childhood Curriculum to Combat Obesity in Cleveland Schools. The Children's Museum of Cleveland and University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital are teaming up with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to create a plan to address the nation's rising rate of childhood obesity in local early childhood school programs. Cleveland.com - April 27, 2010.
Santa Clara County: Supervisors Ban Toys with Fast-Food Meals. Santa Clara County supervisors on Tuesday approved the nation's first ordinance that would prevent restaurants from using toys to lure kids to meals high in fat, sugar and calories. Mercury News - April 27, 2010.Pennsylvania Makes Inroads into Reducing Child Obesity. Pennsylvania school districts set goals and improved snacks and a la carte offerings to meet federal legislation for reducing childhood obesity, but opportunities for physical activity did not improve in most schools, according to Pennsylvania nutritional scientists. Penn State Live - April 26, 2010.
Childhood Obesity: Healthy Eating is Key to Combating Weight. A look into one family struggle to fight obesity and establish healthier lifestyles. PennLive.com - April 26, 2010.
Medical War Rages Against Obesity. The Barkhimers are among an increasing number of American families at the heart of a relentless obesity epidemic. Two-thirds of adults and nearly one-third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. PittsburghLive.com - April 25, 2010.
Schools Can Dish Out Help in Battling Childhood Obesity. Some districts are doing great things with school lunches, particularly Jefferson County, and an unrelenting focus on obesity can have a serious downside, says nutritionist Dayle Hayes. DenverPost.com - April 24, 2010.Give Peas a Chance: Cooking with Children Can be a Healthy Feast of Fun. “We need to pay closer attention to what we are allowing our children to eat daily because even if your child isn’t overweight, it doesn’t mean they are healthy or that they are not at risk for disease,” said Yeemay Su Miller, a registered dietitian with a master’s degree from Harvard University’s School of Public Health. Wicked Local Avon - April 24, 2010.
Indianapolis School Hosts Grandparents Day, Safe Routes to School Mash-up. I cannot imagine a better way to begin Grandparents Day than by walking two of my grandkids, Ella and Henry, to school with my wife, Kathy. And to combine that with a schoolwide event at St. Thomas Aquinas School in Indianapolis celebrating Safe Routes to School is really a terrific bonus. Let's Move - April 23, 2010.
What is the Connection Between Food in Schools and Our Nation’s Health? A group of retired military officer, ‘Mission Readiness,” ask for higher food standards in schools to decrease obesity for the future of national security. Shaping America's Youth Blog - April 22, 2010.
Under Secretary Concannon Visits Riverside for Farmers’ Market Salad Bar Program 5th Anniversary. The Riverside Unified School District’s internationally recognized Farmers’ Market Salad Bar Program in Riverside, California began as a pilot farm to school salad bar program and today provides healthier options on the menus in the Riverside School District. Let's Move - April 22, 2010.
Nonstop Snacking: Kids' Route to Obesity. From a toddler's first fistfuls of Cheerios to a tween's after-school foraging, modern American children are on the receiving end of a steady stream of food - much of it unhealthful and potentially contributing to childhood obesity. The Philadelphia Inquirer - April 22, 2010.
U.S. Rep. Boswell: Boswell and Vilsack Discuss Child Nutrition in First 2012 Farm Bill Hearing. Congressman Leonard Boswell posed questions to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on the child nutrition programs under current U.S. agriculture policy during the Agriculture Committee’s first hearing on the 2012 farm bill. IowaPolitics.com - April 21, 2010.
"Elmo/Broccoli." A recent study attempted to determine whether the placement of a picture of "Sesame Street" cartoon character, specifically, Elmo, on a vegetable would increase the number of children who chose to eat the vegetable over something less nutritious. The Economist - April 21, 2010.
Calorie-heavy Snacks Help Push Childhood Obesity Rate Up. According to a study published in last month's Health Affairs, American children are consuming nearly three snacks a day, on average, in addition to three regular meals. The Washington Post - April 20, 2010.
Military Leaders Want Revamp of School Lunch to Improve Recruits' Health. Retired military officers have asked for the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act to improve school lunches and other food offerings to help minimize childhood obesity which, they say, will ultimately affect national security. Emax Health - April 20, 2010.
Risks for Youths Who Eat What They Watch. Would you want your children’s food and beverage choices determined by manufacturers whose primary goal is to make money by getting them hooked on products of questionable nutritional value? New York Times - April 19, 2010.
Task Force Proposes Recommendations to Reduce Childhood Obesity. Expanding the state's food stamp program, eliminating the reduced lunch category in school cafeterias and enhance funding to child nutrition programs are recommendations a legislative committee proposed today to reduce childhood obesity in North Carolina. Newsobservor.com - April 19, 2010.
How a Sidewalk Can Fight Childhood Obesity. Encouraging kids to walk or bike to school can improve their health and increase their fitness. HeraldNet - April 19, 2010.
Kids in Poorer Arizona Families Battling Obesity. Southern Arizona children are suffering from adult afflictions-and doctors blame it on a troubling surge in childhood obesity. Lifestyle, diet and genetics play a role, but the biggest common denominator among them is socioeconomic. MLive.com - April 18, 2010.
To Tackle Childhood Obesity, Focus More on Pregnancy and Infancy. Efforts to reduce childhood obesity in school-age children may be too late, a recent article from New England Journal of Medicine argued. Los Angeles Times (Blog) - April 15, 2010.
Retired Generals and Admirals, Senator Lugar and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Issue Warning: Childhood Obesity Endangers National Security. Members of the non-profit group Mission: Readiness, will release new findings on the increase of obesity among young adults age 17 to 24 – a trend that is reducing the pool of healthy young adults available for military service. PR Newswire - April 15, 2010.
Little Farmers: Market Teaches Youngsters First Steps in Healthy Living. The Early Childhood Center in South Point, Ohio held mock farmers’ market designed to teach youngsters the first lessons in good eating with the goal that these will last a lifetime. The Ironton Tribune - April 15, 2010.
USDA’s Nutrition Tour Makes Pit Stop in South Carolina. FNCS Administrator, Deputy Administrator for Special Nutrition Programs, and Southeast Regional Administrator meet with key state personnel and advocates from South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Georgia, to discuss Child Nutrition Reauthorization in Charleston, S.C.. Let's Move - April 14, 2010.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day Focuses on Childhood Obesity. In an effort to combat America’s health crisis, the Midlothian Family YMCA is reaching out to the community to show families that leading healthy lifestyles can be fun, rewarding and accessible to all at YMCA Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 17 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Midlothian Exchange - April 14, 2010.
General Mills to Cut Sodium by 20 Percent by 2015 in Some Products. General Mills Inc. says it will cut the amount of sodium by 20 percent in a number of its cereals, soups, snacks and other products by 2015. Chicago Tribune - April 13, 2010.
Mom Returns From D.C. Determined To Take On Childhood Obesity With A Call To Action For Parents. Barbara Flis, mom and founder of Parent Action For Healthy Kids, was honored to be one of only 10 people invited to Washington D.C. to provide input in developing the First Lady's "Let's Move" initiative to end childhood obesity in a generation. PRWeb - April 13, 2010.
Gardening at School to Fight Childhood Obesity. Valley View School has a garden, and its growing. Students are growing sunflowers, lettuce, mustard, cabbage, and tomatoes to name a few. MyFoxPhoenix.com - April 12, 2010.
Michelle Obama Delves into the Details on Kids' Obesity at Task Force Meeting. First lady Michelle Obama's campaign against childhood obesity got down, dirty and wonkish Friday afternoon with a gathering of administration officials reeling off statistics and academics quoting from research papers. The Washington Post - April 10, 2010.Challenging the Obesity System. We need to put a spotlight on the fact that our national obesity epidemic is but a single symptom of a more serious illness: our unhealthy food system. The Huffington Post - April 9, 2010.Food Industry to Obama: We'll Improve Nutrition. The U.S. food industry is willing to let the White House take the lead on making foods healthier in schools, but said on Friday it could improve what is sold on store shelves without government intervention. Reuters - April 9, 2010.
Child Obesity Soaring in Rural America. In the past 35 years, the percentage of overweight or obese children in one Louisiana town has more than tripled, new research shows. BusinessWeek - April 9, 2010.
Let’s Move! Town Hall with First Lady Michelle Obama. Student reporters and young people from schools across the country joined First Lady Michelle Obama in the State Dining Room of the White House for a Let’s Move! Town Hall hosted by C-SPAN’s Susan Swain. Let's Move - April 8, 2010.
Health Care Providers Join Battle on Childhood Obesity. Dr. (Capt.) Erin Moga, Nurse Practitioner Karla Morrow and Registered Dietitian Marcy Sedwick headed up a childhood obesity Town Hall at Eisenhower Elementary School March 31. The trio presented information on diagnostic criteria, the effects of obesity and lifestyle recommendations. Leavenworth Lamp - April 8, 2010.
Obesity Epidemic is Affecting African American Children. Obesity has become one of the most common diseases in the African-American community. It affects African Americans of all ages, but has now begun to affect the lives of African American children at an epidemic level. Mycentraljersey.com - April 7, 2010.
Sebelius Sees Louisville Put Prevention to Work. Secretary Sebelius got moving with students at Wellington Elementary in Louisville, Kentucky to see the school’s health and fitness accelerated learning program in action. Let's Move - April 7, 2010.
Michelle Obama Explains How the First Family Fights Fat; Now, Yours Can, Too. Transcript of Michelle Obama's speech, as provided by the White House. Los Angeles Times - April 7, 2010.
Ronald McDonald Fallout: What Role Does Advertising Have in Childhood Obesity? Research has shown that a two- or three-year-old already knows the McDonald's logo, and a study conducted by Stanford doctors showed that children believed a number of foods, including milk and carrots, tasted better, by a significant margin when served in McDonald's packaging. ABC News - April 7, 2010.
Representative Ron Kind Launches Obesity Offensive With Bill. Following the lead of first lady Michelle Obama, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind began his own drive Tuesday to reduce obesity in America — starting in Wisconsin. Greenbay Press Gazette - April 7, 2010.
Meltdown Station Offers Regimen to Beat Childhood Obesity Now While Nation Struggles for a Cure! Ivette Cortiella of Meltdown Station built a gym designed by, and made just for kids. Equipment is downsized, interactive and equipped with video games. PR Newswire - April 7, 2010.
A Bill Pending in the U.S. Senate Would Improve Nutrition Standards for School Meals, and Administrators are on Board. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 was passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee on March 24 and is headed to the Senate floor for a vote this spring. It pours an additional $4.5 billion into child nutrition programs over the next decade. Postcrescent.com - April 5, 2010.
Kids Learn the Lost Art of Cooking: It's Fun, Healthy, and Social. In its ongoing efforts to combat childhood obesity, the city will give all elementary school students a subscription to a new magazine that teaches how to eat healthy, and to have fun with cooking. The Somerville News - April 5, 2010.
Battling the Bulge: Obesity Rates are Rising, and Fighting that Trend Starts With Our Children. According to the Pennsylvania Deptartment of Health, 29 percent of school-age children in Delaware County are either overweight or obese, a frightening statistic when you consider the health consequences. Delcotimes.com - April 4, 2010.
Newark Mayor Cory Booker named Honorary Co-Vice Chair of Childhood Obesity Foundation. First Lady Michelle Obama selected Newark Mayor Cory Booker to serve as Honorary Co-Vice Chair of the Partnership for a Healthier America, an independent and non-partisan foundation designed to further the goals of the First Lady's Let's Move campaign. Examiner - April 3, 2010.
For Kids, Small Soda Taxes Don't Make a Big Difference. Small scale increases in the cost of soda likely have little impact on childhood obesity, according to a study published in the journal Health Affairs. Time - April 1, 2010.
FDA Wants Nutrition Facts Front and Center. With the changes that have come about in how Americans eat and their level of consumption, the labels are no longer working as they should, according to Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg. TimesDaily - March 31, 2010.
The Dangers of Ding-Dongs. Research just published by Scripps Research Institute associate professor Paul Kenny and graduate student Paul Johnson provides yet another reason to indulge with caution: Ding-Dongs, it turns out, are addictive. The Atlantic - March 29, 2010.
Watchdog group wants Ronald McDonald to retire. A coalition of health professionals, parents and corporate accountability advocates is calling for Ronald McDonald to retire as a spokesman for the nation's largest restaurant chain, saying he has too much influence on kids. Chicago Breaking Business - March 26, 2010.
Overcoming Obesity. If there is any reason for hope among the data on national obesity rates in the U.S. (the numbers should be familiar by now: two-thirds of adults and nearly one-third of children are overweight or obese in the country), it is that they finally seem to be leveling off. Time - March 25, 2010.
Princeton study results confirm dangers of high fructose corn syrup sweetener. Many people mistakenly believe that high-fructose corn syrup is no different than any other sweeteners when it comes to weight gain and obesity. But that is definitely not true. Examiner.com - March 25, 2010.
PepsiCo to Cut Fat, Sugar in Snack Products. U.S. soft drink and snacks giant PepsiCo unveiled plans Monday to cut sugar, fat, and sodium in its products as part of a broad initiative to address health, nutrition, and environmental concerns. The Vancouver Sun - March 22, 2010.
Baby Fat May Not Be So Cute After All. New research suggests that interventions aimed at school-aged children may be, if not too little, too late. The New York Times - March 22, 2010.Get fit Louisville! Mayor Challenges City to Lose 100,000 lbs. Together. The mayor announced a new campaign Monday called "Lose it, Louisville." WHAS11.com - March 22, 2010.
HHS: Putting Prevention to Work. A historic new investment was announced today in prevention and wellness in communities across the country. Over the next two years $370 million will be invested tobacco and obesity-prevention programs in cities, towns, rural areas, and tribal communities across America. Let's Move - March 19, 2010.
San Antonio gets $15.6M to Fight Childhood Obesity. The grant was one of 44 announced Friday, funded through stimulus money and hailed by first lady Michelle Obama, who has taken on the battle against childhood obesity. My San Antonio Education - March 19, 2010.
More Kids Now Extremely Obese. The obesity epidemic is hitting children harder than ever, with 7.3 percent of boys and 5.5 percent of girls classified as extremely obese in a California study, researchers from Kaiser Permanente report. Atlanta Journal-Constitution - March 18, 2010.
Growing Number of Obese Recruits Could Make it Tougher to Field a Fit Military. As American youth get fatter, an increasing number of would-be recruits are too pudgy to qualify for the military. Already, weight is the main medical reason recruits are rejected for military service, accounting for a quarter of medical failures. The Oregonian - March 17, 2010.A Push for Healthier School Meals. Unlike most city schools, the technologically specialized West Philadelphia school has a full kitchen where many meals are prepared practically from scratch. Like just four other schools, it gets $5,000 a year in extra funding from the district to buy fresh produce. There's even a vegetable garden. Philly.com - March 17, 2010.
Earth Fare Aims To Eliminate Childhood Obesity with Launch of Itty Bitty Bites(TM). Launching Wednesday, March 17 in all Earth Fare locations, Itty Bitty Bites is a fun, educational program that inspires kids to make healthy lifestyle choices. PR Newswire - March 17, 2010.
PepsiCo Pledges Not to Sell Sugary Beverages in Schools Worldwide. Consumer advocacy groups are very happy with a pledge, announced Tuesday by PepsiCo, that the company will stop selling full-sugar soft drinks to primary and secondary schools around the world by 2012. Los Angeles Times - March 16, 2010.
First Lady asks Foodmakers to be on Front Line Tackling Childhood Obesity. Michelle Obama on Tuesday called on corporate food giants such as Coca-Cola, General Mills and Kraft Foods to step up efforts to produce more healthful food and then market that, rather than junk food, to children. The Washington Post - March 16, 2010.
Childhood Obesity Gains, Losses. Fewer Chicago kids entering kindergarten and first grade were obese in 2008 vs. five years earlier. But children in Chicago are still more likely to be fatter than kids nationwide and, by sixth grade, more than one in four kids here is obese. Chicago Sun-Times - March 16, 2010.
More Women Dying in Childbirth. Deaths can be attributed to several factors including a mother's age, her access to health care, and one of the biggest concerns over the last decade, her weight. WTVR.com - March 15, 2010.
How U.S. Agriculture Policies Contribute to Childhood Obesity. One of the causes of this obesity epidemic, Susan Dentzer notes, is a U.S. agricultural policy “that has spurred production of cheap sugars and refined grains while doing little to encourage production of fruit and vegetables.” MinnPost.com - March 15, 2010.
Medical Community Tackles Childhood Obesity Issue. Medical professionals are still looking for the best ways to counteract obesity while taking into account children’s nutritional needs fluctuate as they grow older. Most treatment programs are much like preventative programs, focusing on lifestyle factors like diet and activity. Fort Worth BusinessPress - March 15, 2010.
Study to Identify Infants at High Risk for Developing Obesity. Research being conducted at Children's Memorial Hospital may be able to identify infants at high risk of developing childhood-onset obesity by measuring a newborn baby’s body fat within the first 48 hours after birth. PR Web - March 15, 2010.
Mass. Senate Passes Bill Limiting Junk Food at Schools. Senators, who backed the measure in a unanimous vote, approved a bill today that bans the sale of junk food and sugary drinks in school vending machines and school stores. Boston.com - March 11, 2010.
Kicking the Obesity Epidemic. By taking small steps that add up to big changes, your family campaign to trim calories can be fun, painless, filling, and still taste good. Boston.com - March 10, 2010.
LetsMove.gov Website Challenges America to Tackle Childhood Obesity. LetsMove.gov promotes healthy lifestyles by bringing together community leaders, teachers, doctors, nurses, and moms and dads. PRWeb - March 8, 2010.Clinton, beverage group: School efforts working. The U.S. beverage industry has largely stopped delivering sugary drinks to schools and has replaced them with lower-calorie options, the head of the industry's trade association said Monday. The Associated Press - March 8, 2010.
Agricultural Commissioner vows to fight childhood obesity. Todd Staples said there's a crisis that’s not only affecting those suffering from obesity, but other taxpayers as well. To combat the problem, Staples has started a couple of new programs. News 8 Austin - March 8, 2010.
Obesity Risks Start Before Birth. Pediatric obesity experts now say intervention should begin early — very early. The risk of becoming overweight or obese, it increasingly seems, begins before a child is born, establishes roots in infancy and may be entrenched by the time a tot starts kindergarten. Los Angeles Times - March 8, 2010.
"Let's Move" fights childhood obesity in schools. The Marion County Children's Alliance uses four numbers to reinforce healthy living. "5-2-1-0" is an easy way to remind kids how to stay fit daily, said staff member Nancy Castillo: Eat five servings of fruit and vegetables, reduce TV and computer time to two hours or less, exercise for at least an hour and eliminate sugary drinks. Ocala.com - March 3, 2010.
State may be making headway in battling childhood obesity. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among Delaware children, ages 2-17, shows a flattening of the trajectory – no change – between 2006 and 2008. Newark Post - March 4, 2010.
Study Finds Eliminating Junk Food At Schools Lowers Childhood Obesity. A recent study finds that policies eliminating sugary beverages and junk foods from schools may help slow childhood obesity. All Headline News - March 3, 3010.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Addresses the School Nutrition Association, Issues Call to Action for Child Nutrition Stakeholders. The Obama Administration has proposed a historic investment of an additional $10 billion over ten years starting in 2011 that will allow for the improvement of the quality of the School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, increase the number of kids participating, and ensure schools have the resources they need to make program changes. United States Department of Agriculture - March 3, 2010.
Healthier Ways for Kids to Snack. On "The Early Show," CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton explained the survey looked at over 30,000 kids and found, on average, kids are snacking at least three times a day -- adding almost 600 calories from snacks alone, up 168 calories from the late '70s. CBS News.com - March 3, 2010.
Syracuse lawmakers reject school contract with Coca-Cola over obesity concerns. Citing childhood obesity concerns, the Syracuse Common Council this week rejected a school district proposal to contract with Coca-Cola Bottling Co. for exclusive pouring rights in city schools. Syracuse.com - March 2, 2010.
Child Obesity Rates Going Up. New research finds that the prevalence of obesity has grown in recent years among children aged 10 to 17, and certain kids are being especially hard hit. BusinessWeek - March 2, 2010.
Obesity prevention starts early - really, really early. Harvard University researchers writing in the March issue of the journal Pediatrics say such factors as the mother's pre-pregnancy weight, weight gain during pregnancy and how the infant is fed are emerging as significant determinants of future risk of being overweight or obese. Los Angeles Times - March 1, 2010.
HealthWatch: Childhood obesity a serious problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the number of children who meet criteria for being overweight, which is at or above the 95th percentile on body mass index growth charts, ranges from about 10 percent in infants and toddlers to approximately 18 percent in adolescents and teenagers. Ithacajournal.com - February 27, 2010.
Secretary Tom Vilsack: Securing Our Future Through Our Children's Health. The health of our nation - of our economy, our national security, and our communities - depends on the health of our children. We will not succeed if of our children aren't learning as they should because they are hungry, and cannot achieve because they aren't healthy. The Huffington Post - February 23, 2010.
Coverage for treating kids' obesity gets more comprehensive. Parents of overweight and obese children face a heavy burden in navigating a complex health-care system that does little to help them change their kids' course. But a growing number of employers and health insurers are trying to make it easier to get such help. MarketWatch - February 23, 2010.
Childhood Obesity: What's Eating Our Kids? Millions of American kids are seriously overweight. The reason isn't just what they're eating -- it's what's eating them. Childhood obesity is a symptom of deeper problems with American families. The Huffington Post - February 22, 2010.
First Lady: Health Care "A We Thing." Calling health care reform "a we thing," Michelle Obama says President Barack Obama is in that battle for keeps. CBS News - February 22, 2010.
Transcript: Michelle Obama pitches governors on her childhood obesity plan. Remarks by the First Lady to the National Governors Association. Chicago Sun-Times - February 22, 2010.
Proposed laws aimed at fixing childhood obesity. A pair of legislative bills could bring about major overhauls to schools’ physical education and food programs if they become law. Middletown Journal - February 22, 2010.
Coordinated School Health Puts A Dent In Tennessee's Childhood Obesity Rate. From improving the nutrition of cafeteria food to adding more movement during course work in the classroom, schools in Hamilton County and the rest of the state appear to be on the right track toward curbing childhood obesity. WDEF News 12 - February 22, 2010.
Study Finds Sharp Increase in Chronic Health Problems in Children. Childhood rates of chronic health problems, including obesity, asthma and learning disabilities, have doubled in just 12 years, a new study reports — to 1 in 4 children in 2006, up from 1 in 8 in 1994. New York Times - February 19, 2010.
Michelle Obama speaks frankly about race. In tackling the problem of childhood obesity, first lady Michelle Obama is doing something that her husband rarely does: talking about an issue bluntly in terms of race and helping urban America. Politico - February 19, 2010.
California lawmaker introduces soda tax bill. A California lawmaker introduced legislation on Thursday that would tax sodas and other sugar-sweetened drinks and use the proceeds to bankroll programs to fight childhood obesity. Reuters - February 18, 2010.
Committees will aid effort to reduce child obesity. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County and partners are leading the initiative funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to reverse childhood obesity in Kingston through environmental and policy change. Daily Freeman - February 17, 2010.
Let's Move!: Creating Awareness of Childhood Obesity. First lady Michelle Obama has announced her new campaign against childhood obesity - Let's Move! And that's just what she wants children to do. PR Newswire - February 17, 2010.
Southwest Riverside County Kids Clubs Battle Childhood Obesity. Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest County are teaching lessons in good health to local children with the Triple Play program -- named for its focus on "mind, body and soul." Press-Enterprise - February 16, 2010.
School Nutrition Program Takes Up Obesity Fight. At Philadelphia's John Welsh Elementary, nurse Stephanie Miklosey saw students who had a range of obesity-related conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma. ABC News - February 11, 2010.
Schools team with Blue Cross to address childhood obesity. The Valley's health, education and business leaders are joining forces to deal with childhood obesity. AZCentral.com - February 10, 2010.
Experts Laud First Lady's Childhood-Obesity Fight. Dr. William Muiños was among the South Florida physicians and school administrators who applauded first lady Michelle Obama's new initiative to get kids eating healthier and exercising more. The Miami Herald - February 10, 2010.
Michelle Obama's Anti-Obesity Plan Feels at Home in Colorado. Colorado, with its reputation for thinner people and outdoor exercise, is well-positioned to take on the fight against childhood obesity announced Tuesday by Michelle Obama, state health experts said. DenverPost.com - February 10, 2010.
Childhood Obesity Battle Is Taken Up by First Lady. The White House, led by Michelle Obama, announced a sweeping initiative on Tuesday aimed at revamping the way American children eat and play - reshaping school lunches, playgrounds and even medical checkups - with the goal of eliminating childhood obesity within a generation. The New York Times - February 9, 2010.
In fight against childhood obesity, a Midvale school holds P.E. during lunch. More than two dozen middle-schoolers lined up outside the gymnasium doors. It took them less than 15 minutes to scarf down their lunch and they were ready to play some ball. Deseret News - February 9, 2010.
MLB, Granderson Join Anti-Obesity Effort. Curtis Granderson found himself in a select audience in the State Dining Room on Tuesday afternoon, applauding as first lady Michelle Obama outlined a new nationwide campaign, "Let's Move," targeted at solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation. MLB.com - February 9, 2010.
Ag Secretary Pushes School Nutrition Plan. The Obama administration will ask Congress to improve childhood nutrition by ridding school vending machines of sugary snacks and drinks and giving school lunch and breakfast to more kids. The Washington Post - February 8, 2010.
Study: Family Routines Cut the Risk of Childhood Obesity. Preschoolers who eat dinner with their families, get plenty of rest and don't spend hour after hour in front of the tube appear to be at a significant advantage when it comes to keeping off extra weight. The Columbus Dispatch - February 8, 2010.
3 Simple Steps Can Cut Child Obesity. A new study finds three household routines lower the risk of obesity in children: having family dinners, getting enough sleep and limiting weekday TV time. MSNBC - February 8, 2010.
A Federal Effort to Push Junk Food Out of Schools. The Obama administration will begin a drive this week to expel Pepsi, French fries and Snickers bars from the nation’s schools in hopes of reducing the number of children who get fat during their school years. The New York Times - February 7, 2010.
Teach your children wellness: Schools are rethinking phys ed. Previous controversies, sparked curiousity of the role our schools are playing in our children's fitness and whether they are having any impact in the so far losing effort against the obesity epidemic. The Washington Post - February 4, 2010.
Fight Childhood Obesity By Supporting Public School Nutrition Reform. Congress should be reauthorizing the Childhood Nutrition Act this year. It's a bill that is reauthorized every five years and provides funding for all federal nutrition programs, including school lunches. There's a proposal to ban all soda and junk food from these programs. The Huffington Post - February 4, 2010.
It's Time to Turn the Tables on Childhood Obesity. Last Thursday, Obama and Surgeon General Regina Benjamin announced their advocacy and commitment to turning the tide on childhood obesity. Philadelphia Daily News - February 4, 2010.
Reduce child obesity through healthier eating. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that one in five teens across the nation has cholesterol levels that put them at risk for heart disease. The rate more than doubled for those teens who were obese. As a dietitian, I see this as an urgent call to get serious about childhood obesity. The DailyJournal.com - February 3, 2010.
Grant puts focus on child obesity. Childhood obesity rates have tripled since 1980, and nationwide, Kentucky ranks third for overweight children. And it comes with a hefty price tag: Obesity costs the state an estimated $1.2 billion annually in health care expenses. The State Journal - February 3, 2010.
Childhood obesity linked to later onset of puberty in boys. A new study led by researchers at the University of Michigan Health System suggests that excess body weight may lead to a later onset of puberty in boys. Foodconsumer.org - February 2, 2010.
First lady meets with lawmakers on child obesity. First lady Michelle Obama invited a bipartisan group of lawmakers and Cabinet members to the White House Tuesday to help firm up plans for her national campaign against childhood obesity. The Washington Post - February 2, 2010.
New Study Shows Effectiveness of the MEND Program (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it!) in Prevention and Treatment of Pediatric Obesity.) Ground-breaking results from a study to evaluate the effectiveness of the MEND Program, multi-component community-based childhood obesity intervention, are published today in the US journal Obesity. Businesswire - February 1, 2010.
Can intervention prevent adult obesity for overweight teens? The more than 11 million U.S. teens who are overweight or obese face an increased risk for diseases once confined to adults, like diabetes, artery damage and liver trouble. Those problems along with high blood pressure and high cholesterol are showing up increasingly in kids. USA Today - February 1, 2010.
USDA: Pleading the Case for Improving Child Nutrition. The USDA's Office of Communications has sent this document to editorial boards about the upcoming work in Congress relating to reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act. The Packer - January 31, 2010.
'Walk It Out' Helps Beat Childhood Obesity. With childhood obesity rates skyrocketing, it is not surprising that first lady Michelle Obama is launching a major initiative to combat this epidemic. USA Today - January 29, 2010.
Wife of N.H. governor backs obesity screening. The wife of New Hampshire’s governor, a pediatrician, is backing legislation that would require the state’s schools to record children’s body mass index, an indicator of obesity. Boston.com - January 27, 2010.
Listing Calories on Fast-Food Menus Cuts Kids' Intake. When nutritional information is available on fast-food restaurant menus, parents are more apt to pick lower-calorie foods for their kids, new research finds. BusinessWeek - January 25, 2010.
Michelle Obama Talks to Mayors about her Initiative to Combat Childhood Obesity. Better eating habits, improved nutrition and a more physically fit America do not have to come with a high price tag and all are imperative to this country's economy, its future productivity and the well-being of the next generation of children was the message delivered by Obama. The Washington Post - January 21, 2010.
City Already Involved in Battle against Childhood Obesity. A variety of measures are taking place in the Department of Public Health in Chicago, headed by new commissioner Dr. Bechara Choucair. Chicago Sun-Times - January 21, 2010.
More than 20 Percent of U.S. Teens Have High Cholesterol, Report Says. At least one out of every five U.S. teenagers has abnormal cholesterol levels, boosting the risk of heart disease, federal health officials reported Thursday. The Washington post - January 21, 2010.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation awards $15 million in grants to fight childhood obesity. As part of its efforts to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has initiated its Communities Creating Healthy Environments program, awarding $15 million in grants to 10 advocacy organizations. The Daily Tell - January 20, 2010.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Offers Funding for Elementary School Programs Focused on Reducing Childhood Obesity. Blue Cross Blue Shield, committed to building a healthier Michigan, is partnering with schools across the state to get kids moving and eating healthier. PR Newswire - January 20, 2010.
Legislators take up childhood obesity fight. State legislators in Minnesota will unveil recommendations for fighting childhood obesity today. The Post Bulletin - January 19, 2010.
First lady drafts mayors in youth obesity battle. First lady Michelle Obama, who is ratcheting up her campaign against childhood obesity, will ask the country's mayors Wednesday to join her fight to get kids fit. Chicago Tribune - January 19, 2010.
State's Childhood Obesity Rates too Serious to Ignore. According to Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, director of Family and Infant Youth Health at the Metro Public Health Department, "You will do better if you are born in almost any other state in the country than in Tennessee." Tennessean.com - January 18, 2010.
Food Systems and Public Health: Linkages to Achieve Healthier Diets and Healthier Communities. The Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition has published a variety of free articles examining health and food systems available. The Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition - January 2010.
Federal Panel Urges Obesity Screening for Kids Ages 6 and Up. A federal panel of health experts has issued new recommendations encouraging U.S. doctors to screen children aged 6 and older for obesity, and to offer them a referral to intensive weight management programs when necessary. BusinessWeek - January 18, 2010.
National Program Launched to Strengthen Advocacy and Reduce Health Inequities in Communities of Color. Ten local advocacy organizations have been awarded grants through a new national program to develop community-based strategies that will build and sustain healthy neighborhoods from East Los Angeles to Harlem. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - January 18, 2010.
FirstHealth Receives Grant for Childhood Obesity Program. FirstHealth of the Carolinas has received a $360,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to improve opportunities for physical activity and access to affordable healthy foods for children and families in Moore and Montgomery counties. The Pilot - January 16, 2010.
Eight in 10 Americans Say They’re in Control of Their Eating Habits—But Growing Obesity Crisis Tells Another Story. The survey, conducted by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, revealed several contradictions in how Americans perceive their eating habits. Newswise - January 14, 2010.
Surgeon General Benjamin as 'America's family doctor.' Benjamin, who refers to her new job as "America's family doctor," was sworn into office in November as the 18th surgeon general. Her commissioning ceremony was Monday. USA Today - January 13, 2010.
After a Year of Learning, the First Lady Seeks Out a Legacy. Michelle Obama is looking to make a deeper and more lasting policy impact, by spearheading an initiative to reduce childhood obesity that, she hopes, will create a legacy by which she can be remembered. The New York Times - January 13, 2010.
Flint preparing to renovate parks to fight childhood obesity. To fight a child obesity problem, the city of Flint is preparing to renovate dozens of parks. ABC 12 - January 13, 2010.
County Receives $360,000 to Fight Childhood Obesity. Citing the large number of obese children in the area, the Kane County Health Department has ramped up its fight against childhood obesity in recent years. This week, the department was rewarded for its efforts. Mysuburbanlife.com - January 13, 2010.
How Americans Eat Today. How have U.S. eating habits changed over the past 50 years? How has this affected our waistlines? CBS News - January 12, 2010.
Institute for Community Health to Combat Obesity Among African-American Youth. Virginia Chomitz will lead a team of academic and community partners who have been awarded a Harvard Catalyst Pilot Grant to develop a targeted intervention to reduce obesity among African-American youth in Cambridge. Wickedlocal.com - January 12, 2010.
Omaha Gets $360K In Fight Against Childhood Obesity. Omaha was one of 41 communities across the country chosen to share a grant to fight childhood obesity. KETV 7 - January 12, 2010.
CAPITAL CULTURE: WH Garden Ex'seeds' Expectations. The South Lawn garden has given Mrs. Obama a platform to speak out about the country's childhood obesity problem, extol the benefits of eating fresh food, and teach children early to appreciate vegetables. WJZ-13 - January 11, 2010.
Family shares story, tips after teen's successful fight against obesity. Always amiable and good-natured, even when he was heavy, Brandon’s sense of humor belied the underlying tensions and anxieties that can occur in a household when a teenager is overweight. Mlive.com - January 11, 2010.
Grant to help county battle childhood obesity. The Grant County Community Health Council has been awarded a $360,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to improve opportunities for active living for families, and to increase availability of and access to locally grown foods in Grant County. Silver City Sun-News - January 11, 2010.
Clarksdale lawmaker seeks tax on sugary drinks to fight obesity. Rep. John Mayo, a Clarksdale Democrat, is pursuing legislation that would tax sugar-laden soft drinks in an effort to finance programs aimed at cutting obesity in Mississippi, the nation's fattest state. The Commercial Appeal - January 11, 2010.
Dr. Regina Benjamin will be sworn in Monday as U.S. surgeon general. More than 500 people -- including a healthy sprinkling from Alabama -- are expected to be on hand Monday afternoon when Dr. Regina Benjamin is formally sworn in as the 18th U.S. surgeon general. Al.com - January 10, 2010.
Battling Obesity in America. In its "Where America Stands" series, CBS News is looking at a broad spectrum of issues facing this country in the new decade. CBS Evening News - January 7, 2010.
Obesity surpasses smoking as top health threat: U.S. study. Obesity is now a bigger overall threat to people's health than smoking, according to results of the longest ongoing health study of adults in the United States. The Gazette - January 6, 2010.
Kid-friendly diet helps fight childhood obesity at home. Here's some advice for parents who want to help their overweight children and teens slim down: Make some stealth changes at home so that everyone in the family is eating healthier and no one feels singled out as the heavyweight. USA Today - January 6, 2010.