Healthy eating habits can combat childhood obesity

Two new studies show how important forming healthy food and beverage habits can be in children and adolescents. This science adds to a growing body of evidence that has helped shape a new nutrition and physical activity program from the National Football League and National Dairy Council (NDC) called Fuel Up to Play 60.

One study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that what 5-year-old girls drink can predict their weight status for the remainder of childhood and into adolescence. Researchers at Pennsylvania State University found that those who drank more sweetened beverages, such as soda and sports drinks, at the age of 5 were more likely to be overweight over the following 10 years. Additionally, the nutrient-rich beverages displaced the sodas and sports drinks - girls who drank more milk and 100% fruit juice drank fewer nutritionally empty sweetened beverages.

"This study shows why it's so important to lay the early groundwork for creating healthy eating habits using nutrient-rich foods, because it can have a significant longer-term impact," says Leann Birch, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Human Development and one of the study's authors. "These findings show just how much everyday choices - like picking milk or fruit juice over a soda - can matter, especially for children."

Another study, in the current issue of Public Health Nutrition, reinforces recent reports that suggest low consumption of nutrient-rich foods - specifically low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains - can contribute to obesity among young adults.

Several schools are acting on the obesity crisis among youth as well as this growing body of science by taking steps to improve their health and wellness environment. Many are using Fuel Up to Play 60, which aims to reach 36.6 million students in an expected 60,000 schools in the 2009-2010 school year. Fuel Up to Play 60 acts on the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which call for increased access to nutrient-rich foods from the "food groups to encourage" (low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and 60 minutes of physical activity every day. The program works in two ways to help students make their schools a healthier place:

• It empowers student leaders to work with adults and peers in their school and community to improve the school wellness environment by selecting and implementing new healthy eating and physical activity projects that fit the needs of their school.
• Students also sign up and take the pledge to improve themselves and their school on the Fuel Up to Play 60 Web site, where they can track healthy eating and 60 minutes of physical activity daily to earn points toward winning games and other great prizes in a national competition.

"We have lots of choices when we eat at school, but by picking healthier foods we are actually building healthier futures for ourselves," says Nikki Adeli, a Philadelphia seventh grader and Fuel Up to Play 60 student leader. "Through this program, I've learned that every little bit counts, whether it is picking up an apple for a snack or walking to the grocery store. Being healthy and staying active are easy choices that everyone can make all the time."

In addition to improving access to nutritious foods, Fuel Up to Play 60 uses the physical fitness expertise of the NFL to help students work with their teachers and administrators to improve their school's physical activity levels. This is of critical importance, since a national survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that nearly 62 percent of children aged 9-13 years do not participate in any organized physical activity during their non-school hours and almost 23 percent do not engage in any free-time physical activity.

"We have a huge issue with children's health in our country right now, and as a health teacher and parent I know it's going to take small, everyday changes to make a big difference," says Ric Davies, a health teacher and Fuel Up to Play 60 program advisor in Springdale, Arkansas. "In the short time that our school has been involved in Fuel Up to Play 60, the students already have made so many changes, like starting a Walking Club and adding healthier foods to the lunch line. I think they're establishing some lifetime habits."

Schools and students can sign up now and join the competition at www.fueluptoplay60.com.