Childhood Obesity News and Research

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New school meal program can cause more harm than good, says nutrition experts

In attempts to improve the nutritional quality of school meals, there have been several strides forward - including the removal of soft drinks and other less nutritious menu options. However, some schools and activist groups are calling for a new change that many health professionals agree could cause more harm than good when it comes to children's health: removing chocolate milk from the lunch line.

10 Nov 2009

Physical education plays a key role for low-income communities in curbing obesity and improving fitness

School-based physical education plays a key role in curbing obesity and improving fitness among adolescents from low-income communities, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco and UC Berkeley.

6 Nov 2009

Food advertising aimed at children contributes to obesity

Childhood obesity in the United States is reaching epidemic proportions. With more than one fourth of advertising on daytime and prime time television devoted to foods and beverages and continuing questions about the role television plays in obesity, a study in the November/December issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior examines how food advertising aimed at children might be a large contributor to the problem.

5 Nov 2009

The Children’s Hospital leads the charge against childhood obesity

The Children’s Hospital is leading the charge against childhood obesity, a problem that is impacting more and more families across the country. Experts from The Children’s Hospital offer a pediatric perspective on proactive steps parents can take to ensure their children maintain nutritious diets and healthy, active lifestyles.

4 Nov 2009

Commit 2B Fit receives "Exemplary Practices in Childhood Obesity in Florida Award"

Commit 2B Fit®, a school-based program to promote overall childhood wellness, received Honorable Mention in statewide Exemplary Practices in Childhood Obesity in Florida Award, presented by the Florida Initiative for Children’s HealthCare Quality (FLICHQ). FLICHQ, evaluated programs around the state according to its “five I’s: Impact, Inclusion, Improvability, Implementation and Innovation.”

28 Oct 2009

PPA reaches historic milestone; helps the six millionth person

After visiting more than 3,000 cities in all 50 states, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) has reached a historic milestone today by helping the six millionth person at an event in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

24 Oct 2009

Community based initiative to help combat obesity and promote healthy lifestyles

President Bill Clinton made a special appearance on October 10 to open the Weight Watchers Presents Fun and Fit in the City -- at the Harlem Children's Zone in Harlem, NY. Part of the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival, the free community based initiative -- which drew over 800 attendees -- was created to help combat obesity and provide practical tips for families to follow healthier lifestyles.

23 Oct 2009

AAFP receives MetLife Foundation grant to counter childhood obesity

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the AAFP Foundation announce that they have been awarded a $150,000 grant from MetLife Foundation, designed to counter the national epidemic of childhood obesity by empowering family physicians with new ways to promote physical activity, nutrition and emotional well-being. The partnership will produce educational materials for children, including books and publications.

23 Oct 2009

Toolkit to help U.S. employers address the growing problem of childhood obesity

Saying that employers can no longer afford to ignore the epidemic of childhood obesity, the National Business Group on Health today announced the launch of "Childhood Obesity: It's Everyone's Business," a toolkit designed to help U.S. employers address the growing problem of overweight and obese children.

22 Oct 2009

Obesity prevention efforts in the El Paso region are effective, say researchers

Researchers at the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living at The University of Texas School of Public Health Austin Regional Campus found the obesity prevention efforts in the El Paso region were the most effective in Texas in decreasing the prevalence of childhood obesity.

22 Oct 2009

NFL, NDC launch 'Fuel Up to Play 60' to tackle childhood obesity

The NFL and National Dairy Council (NDC) today launch Fuel Up to Play 60, a new initiative aimed at tackling childhood obesity by giving youth a voice in changing the school nutrition and physical activity environment. The program will reach 36 million youth in 60,000 elementary, middle and high schools during the 2009/2010 school year.

15 Oct 2009

State-level education policy essential to reverse childhood obesity

The new issue of The State Education Standard, the journal of the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE), examines how education policymakers can best address childhood obesity in school settings.

14 Oct 2009

This Halloween GOT MILK? asks children to make healthier choices

This Halloween, with the help of GOT MILK?, children across California will pledge to not be tricked into bingeing on candy and sweets on All Hallow's Eve.

12 Oct 2009

New U.S. agricultural research institute launched; global food aid examined

The Obama administration recently launched the National Institute of Food (NIFA), "a new agricultural research institute ... but farm lobbyists and others warned that its success depends on whether Congress agrees to substantially increase funding for farm research," Government Executive reports.

12 Oct 2009

Web-based TV program to focus on holistic lifestyle

The outcome of the current healthcare legislation is uncertain, but one matter is clear: Americans need to get healthier. From childhood obesity to alarming rates of clinical depression among adults, people across the U.S. have been confronted with the consequences of lives off-balance.

9 Oct 2009

Interactive fitness and food journal for kids

Back-to-school means back to hitting the books. Yet this year, one Wisconsin teacher is passing out a different kind of book to her students in grades five through eight.

8 Oct 2009

General Mills launches Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation to address obesity

Reinforcing General Mills’ on-going commitment to helping Americans achieve a healthy weight through energy balance, the company joined retailers, non-government organizations and peer food and beverage manufacturers today to launch the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation (HWCF).

6 Oct 2009

BMI training course launched by Anthem Blue Cross to tackle childhood obesity

In a continued effort to keep screening for childhood obesity at the forefront, Anthem Blue Cross' State Sponsored Business launched an innovative on-line Body Mass Index (BMI) training course featuring a virtual BMI wheel and web-based interactive practice sessions to help provide hands-on experience.

3 Oct 2009

Peanuts can help control obesity in children

A landmark study published in Obesity shows that, 80% of high-risk adolescents decreased or maintained weight, while almost 65% of the control group gained at one year.

1 Oct 2009

AAP receives grant to promote awareness on childhood obesity

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) announces that it has been awarded a $250,000 grant from MetLife Foundation, to promote community and regional approaches to obesity prevention. Through the grant, AAP will launch two national grant programs, which are focused on encouraging both established pediatricians and pediatricians-in-training to develop collaborative methods to educate communities about the health effects of childhood obesity.

29 Sep 2009