by Tripp Underwood on August 18, 2011
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you’ve probably heard plenty of healthcare experts stressing the importance of eating healthy food like fresh fruits and vegetables. The message may sound a little repetitive at times, but it’s important advice; whole, unprocessed foods are not only good for our bodies, but for our waistlines too. And as obesity continues to dramatically affect the health of millions of Americans, it’s clear that more of us need pay closer attention to what the experts are saying.
But for many Americans, the shift towards eating healthy food isn’t so easy. Adding more greens to the grocery list is good advice, but it’s easier said than done for a lot of people. The high cost and limited availability of fresh fruits and vegetables in some areas makes them practically unobtainable to a substantial portion of the population. Full story »
by Tripp Underwood on February 7, 2011
The study's authors, Susanna Huh and Sheryl Rifas-Shiman
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a new study online today that reinforces its previous recommendations that parents wait to introduce solid foods to their babies until they are at least 4 months old. The study was co-led by Susanna Huh, MD, MPH, of Children’s Hospital Boston’s Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, and Sheryl Rifas-Shiman, MPH, a research associate at Harvard Medical School/ Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute.
Huh and Rifas-Shiman’s research followed 847 children from birth, and found that among formula-fed infants, those who were given solid food before 4 months were six times more likely to be obese by the time they turned 3 than those whose parents waited until 4 or 5 months to feed them solids. Interestingly, the timing of solid food introduction didn’t seem to be related to the risk of childhood obesity in children who were breastfed. Full story »
by Tripp Underwood on December 13, 2010
From the schoolhouse to the White House, everyone is talking about America’s childhood obesity epidemic. And while raising awareness on the issue is vital, is it possible that our obsession with the topic is causing some kids to go in the opposite direction? According to data released by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the answer may be yes.
The journal Pediatrics recently published a study that shows eating disorders in young children are on the rise, especially among children younger than 12 years old. What’s worse, the degree of the disorders may be intensifying; the study showed a 119 percent increase in eating disorder hospitalizations among preteens when compared to data collected in the mid 1990s. The fact that these numbers surfaced around the time the media took such an interest in obesity has some people wondering if there’s a correlation. Full story »
by Kristin Cantu on March 3, 2010
We’re constantly told that if we eat less and exercise more, the pounds will come sliding off. Not true. According to a recent study, small caloric changes have almost no long-term effect on weight.
While this news is disappointing, Children’s obesity expert – David Ludwig, MD, PhD, tell The New York Times that there is hope, especially for children. Small changes made during childhood lead to a much healthier adult lifestyle.
You can read more of Ludwig has to say on topic of childhood obesity here on Thrive.
by Childrens Hospital Boston staff on January 24, 2010
by Kristin Cantu on January 21, 2010
This week there has been a lot of coverage on the topic of childhood obesity. It’s not a new subject and one that we’re likely to hear much more on this year.
The Boston Globe reports that for the next 18 months, every public school in Massachusetts will evaluate whether students weigh too much or too little by calculating their body mass index (BMI) scores. Full story »
by Childrens Hospital Boston staff on January 17, 2010
by Kristin Cantu on January 14, 2010
New studies indicate that after decades of Americans steadily gaining weight, they may have finally hit a plateau, reports an article in The Boston Globe.
Children’s obesity expert, David Ludwig, MD, PhD is quoted as saying that while it is a relief that these rates are not continuting to rise, it is certainly not cause for celebration. “If we continue those unhealthful habits, we just continue to maintain weights the way they are. It actually takes a marked improvement in lifestyles to start bringing weight down.”
Read a previous blog post where Ludwig discusses obesity rates leveling off for American children.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you’ve probably heard plenty of healthcare experts stressing the importance of eating healthy food like fresh fruits and vegetables. The message may sound a little repetitive at times, but it’s important advice; whole, unprocessed foods are not only good for our bodies, but for our waistlines too. And as obesity continues to dramatically affect the health of millions of Americans, it’s clear that more of us need pay closer attention to what the experts are saying.
