Children and Nutrition

Childhood Obesity in the United States

[danibrag]

The countless number of Americans that are food insecure in our country greatly rely on programs such as SNAP and WIC to get them through the day, week, month, or year. Without these programs they would be left with no help and support, and therefore no food on their tables. As amazing as...

[kellizentz]

It's sad to think families that use SNAP and WIC can still be considered food insecure. It would be difficult when you get money for food once per month. Fresh foods don't last vey long compared to processed foods and I understand why families don't buy much fresh food, if any at all. I found this article interesting in regards to blood sugar levels being lower at the end of the month compared to the beginning.

[kellizentz]

Portion Sizes

I found this study to be interesting. I believe that portion sizes have truly changed and most individuals do not know what actual portion sizes are. Take for instance going out to a restaurant for dinner and ordering pasta. Generally that plate of pasta is filled and you can’t even finish half of it because of how much is served. Filling a plate of pasta is not the correct portion size that you should be served but restaurants do it anyways. Parents have control over what they make and serve at home. If a parent is serving their child a larger portion of food then a child actually needs that child will most likely eat what they are given, especially if it is something that child enjoys eating.

  Childhood obesity is a persistent and growing problem worldwide but especially in the United States. The hypothesis of this article is that the potential contributor to the increase of childhood obesity is the increase of portion sizes, whether eating at home or eating out. Over the last 40 years portion sizes of foods served both at home and out have increased dramatically. Increased portion sizes leads to an increase of food intake by children. This study looked at multiple different mechanisms that contribute to obesity and portion size. The first thing looked at was visual cues, such as plate size, packaging, unit size, and utensil size as a potential moderator to the portion sizes. The second thing  looked at was meal components such as bite size, ingestion rate and bite frequency, as these may contribute to a difference in portion sizes. Other things reviewed included flavor-nutrient as a key contributor in portion sizes. The findings of the study suggest that individual differences in cognitive and neural responses to food cues are critical to understanding the portion size effect.    

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666314005170

[miss-scottie-says]

In 2007, school lunch chef Ann Cooper filmed a talk for TED.com in which she discussed “the coming revolution in the way kids eat at school — local, sustainable, seasonal and even educational food.” Long before the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act was passed, this lunch lady from Berkeley, California was already noticing how important school lunches are as contributors to childhood health. She was also noticing that school lunches were not playing their part in providing healthy food options to support healthy students, and she believed that this needed to change. After implementing many changes within the school lunch offerings in her own school district, she branched to become an advocate for healthier lunches nation-wide. Her website offers a plethora of information for parents, school administrators, and more with the goal of educating and ultimately igniting changes within schools. She has even established grants to help with the process! Take a moment to check out the website and see just exactly what this lady is all about, or watch her TED talk and let her tell you herself.

http://www.ted.com/speakers/ann_cooper

[kellizentz]

This is great. I think if we had more people like Ann Cooper we could really start seeing a change in our school system with what kids are eating and what is offered. Great blog I really enjoyed reading it.

[danibrag]

Food Insecurity and Pregnancy

Food insecurity effects people off all ages and lifestyles, but pregnant women are at higher risk. Food insecurity in pregnant women is linked to more weight gain and mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and lower self-esteem. Weight gain is an issue with food insecurity because pregnant women need more calories and minerals and vitamins. Often times money goes farther if unhealthy foods are purchased, which seems to happen with food insecure house holds. Low income house holds can get support from WIC, but food stamps do not increase in level until the child has been born. This could prove a serious issue for pregnant women relying on food stamps throughout pregnancy.

A study I found online evaluated food insecure pregnant women and the results were upsetting. They found that food insecure pregnant women were more likely to have at least one mental health disorder and at a significantly higher risk for weight gain. 36% of the 606 food insecure women were on WIC and 16% on food stamps. Over 14% of the women reported either borrowing food from people or getting it from a church or food bank. They also found that the women were more likely to be food insecure if they had a lower income, less education, and were single.

Food insecurity in pregnant women puts their children at risk for birth defects and malnutrition. It is a vital time as a child is developing and it is important pregnant women have enough food and healthy food.

http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nancy_Dole/publication/7405695_Psychosocial_factors_and_socioeconomic_indicators_are_associated_with_household_food_insecurity_among_pregnant_women/links/0c960525edb422ac0e000000

[kellizentz]

This is so sad. I don't like that there are so many food insecure people out there but I especially don't like to see food insecurity in pregnant woman. That is just not right. Woman who are pregnant need nutrients and not only do they suffer but the growing baby is suffering as well and that just makes me sad to think about.

[kellizentz]

A Solution-Oriented Research Paradigm

I think there are a variety of different social and environmental causes to obesity and weight gain among children. I found this article that looked at problem-oriented research and solution-oriented research. They looked at a few different issues related to childhood obesity. Some of the issues I did not agree with but found to be interesting.

  The hypothesis formed in this article is that there are social and environmental causes related to obesity and weight gain among children. The first example used is a research question whether soft drink sales should be allowed in schools. When using the problem-oriented research paradigm design studies to determine whether soft drinks are associated with obesity. The second example used is about environmental research and whether television watching and childhood obesity are related. A problem-oriented research paradigm was used and some researchers found that television watching, physical activity levels, and dietary intake are not an important factor with regards to obesity. The third example used is applied litmus test to neighborhood safety, physical activity, and obesity. Some believe that neighborhood safety is a huge factor in whether or not children are held indoors or can go outside and have more physical activity. Two research paradigms were used, a problem-oriented research paradigm and a solution-oriented research paradigm. The problem-oriented research paradigm focused more on causes of diseases and risk factors. It focuses on what caused the existing problem to determine a solution. The problem-oriented research can be easier and less expensive. The solution-oriented research paradigm focuses on solutions; it identifies solutions to move forward. The solution-oriented research paradigm can be more difficult and more expensive but can have greater chances of improving overall health. This work is relevant to food systems because it shows problems and solutions to possibly preventing childhood obesity.

  http://www.sciencedirect.com.proxybz.lib.montana.edu/science/article/pii/S0749379704003101

[kellizentz]

Government role and childhood obesity

Childhood obesity is a growing problem in our country. How much can the United States government actually do to help change it? Is this even a government problem? I think the government can help with things like public school lunches and before and after school meals but I also think it is up to the parents of these obese children to make a change for the better. I don’t believe you can force people to do something they don’t want to do. Providing healthy fresh foods in school settings is a step of change for the better. I think if we as a nation can make small changes over time this problem can be solved.

  The hypothesis formed in this article is that change is needed in communities, schools, childcare, worksites and healthcare facilities. The government can support these changes by executing legislation and regulation at federal, state and local levels. Since 1980 childhood obesity has tripled. This is the first generation to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. In the United States 34% of children are overweight, 16% of children are obese and 11% of children are extremely obese. The Centers for Disease Control and the Institute of Medicine have recommended policy changes at environmental levels to address these growing concerns. This issue is a matter to population health because a growing number of children are becoming more and more overweight. This work is relevant to food systems because the United States government can put policies in place to help prevent childhood obesity for example having healthier options for public school lunches. Government agencies whose mission does not include health can positively influence public health by considering the impact their policy making has on health. There is an understanding that health needs to be considered in all policies in order to address health disparities and the public health issue of obesity.   

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/articles/pii/B9780123749956100428

[lindlaub]

During exercise minerals are lost through sweat. Vitamins B,C, D, and E, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and zinc are a few of these minerals. These minerals are also important for muscles to work efficiently.

Vitamin B: used to convert protein and sugar into energy and produce red...

[kellizentz]

I knew that you lost vitamins and minerals when you exercise but I didn't know which ones exactly. This is important for athletes or anyone who exercises to know because vitamins and minerals are very important for the body. I enjoyed this blog and found it to be very educational.

[lesleyfrazier12]

It’s well known that your mood can influence your food decision, but it’s also true that what you eat also affects your mood. How can your diet put you in a good mood? And how can your food encourage bad moods or even depression?

Things to avoid:

Genetically modified foods- they can...

[kellizentz]

I liked reading your blog. I completely agree that what you eat can determine your mood. I feel like my mood is better when I eat more healthy fresh foods. I have also noticed that my mood and feeling is not good when I eat junk.

[kellizentz]

Action to prevent childhood obesity

I believe since I was a kid growing up to now things have changed dramatically. I remember as a kid in grade school we had physical education every day. Physical education included playing sports like soccer, basketball, and t ball which required movement. Every year we had to run a mile at the beginning of the school year and at the end of the school year to see if there was improvement. I don’t remember school lunch much because my lunch was always packed. Physical education is not in schools now and if it is there is a limitation to it. I was a nanny for a while and the kids I watched would tell me about what they did during P.E. It included things like staking and counting cups and placing them in certain color circles. When I heard this is saddened me to think they don’t do the same things I remember a kid. They also had P.E. only once per week. I think we can prevent childhood obesity if we change things.

  Default conditions for youth are dangerous, and include multiple forms of marketing, poor foods promoted in schools, and a variety of other conditions. This article discusses how optimal defaults can be created using five issues as examples: framing of the obesity issue, treating versus preventing obesity, nutrition in schools, marketing, and addressing weight bias and discrimination. There is hope of reversing troubling trends by adopting a public health approach that addresses the conditions causing obesity. Record levels of obesity in children and adolescents are predictable with conditions that promote high consumption of calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods and discourage physical activity. Children are exposed to conditions that promote excess food intake and discourage physical activity. Social, political and economic conditions must change to prevent obesity.

  http://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(09)00107-4/abstract

[miss-scottie-says]

Brian Wansink, a professor at Cornell University, recently published information from his research in which he studied eating habits of children in schools. The new requirements established by the NSLP have left many children dissatisfied as foods they once loved to eat have been removed from the menu, and as they are required to take servings of fruits and/or vegetables, whether or not they actually want them. The conflict between the healthy foods and the desires of the children have left many wondering what foods could be changed to encourage the children to eat more, but Wansink’s research has led him to believe that it is not about the food options, but rather about how the foods are presented. He proposes that changing the design of the food trays and altering food line presentation and order will encourage children to choose more healthful options.

To read more, follow this link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/16/healthy-school-lunches_n_5991324.html

[kellizentz]

I think this is a good idea and very interesting. More schools should try this and want to be more involved in getting kids to eat and choose more healthy foods.

[maddyemmer-deactivated20150301]

The National Public Radio published an article on September 19, 2014. The article was titled: “Around the World in 8 Hospital Meals”. It talked about how people traveling around the world would have no thought or drive to go to a hospital to grab a bite to eat. I mean, would you? Let’s face...

[kellizentz]

That is crazy to think they make 3 meals off $2.20 per day. How do they expect patients to get better when they feed them junk. The body needs good nutrition and hospital food is definitely not helping anyone.

[kellizentz]

Family Income and Childhood Obesity

I think family income and childhood obesity are related. Sometimes healthy food can cost more than unhealthy food. For instance I went to lunch with my mom and the desserts were anywhere from $1 to $3, the fresh bowl of fruit however cost $4.50. When shopping at a grocery store processed foods can be bought in bulk and are cheaper than fresh foods. I found an article that showed great examples of the relationship between family income and childhood obesity.

  The hypothesis formed in this article is that there is a correlation between family income and childhood obesity. There is also a correlation between lower income families and childhood obesity. The affiliation with family income and body mass index is firm with higher BMI children. Obesity rates increase with children’s age from lower income families to higher income families. A cohort survey was conducted from 1998 to 2007 with a group of kindergarten children. This survey was comparing children environments and their development. Data was collected from the children, parents, teachers and school administrators seven times over the nine year span. The survey found that the obesity rate of 13% in kindergarten increased to 18% when the children reached eighth grade. The issue at hand matters to the population health because the data collected shows a correlation between family income and childhood obesity. Some factors that were examined to contribute to childhood obesity are as followed: the role of school characteristics, such as school lunches. The calorie content of school lunch may be higher than homemade lunches. Another factor examined to contribute to childhood obesity is the role of parental characteristics. For example a single parent household may have greater challenges in preparing healthy meals or engaging in physical activities. Children of single parent households may also experience more stress which in turn can lead to higher obesity rates. This work is relevant to food systems because it examines whether or not income in a household has an effect on childhood obesity.

  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1570677X14000495

[maddyemmer-deactivated20150301]

If you were laying in a hospital sick, would this meal make you hungry? (This photo was taken in a hospital in Germany and provided by “Real Pharmacy”). We must improve the quality of food for patients in hospitals! There are 300 million meals served in English hospitals yearly, and the...

[kellizentz]

This was a great blog. I really enjoyed reading it. I completely agree with you. Hospitals do need better options and better nutrition. Boxed food isn't going to help people get better. It also tastes bad. Hospitals definitely need to improve their food choices and options.

[kellizentz]

Sleep and Eating in Childhood

  My personal opinion regarding sleep and eating is that there is a correlation with lack of sleep and increased calorie intake. I find myself snacking more than I should if I am up later at night. I don’t know why I tend to snack more when I sleep less or am up late but I do. I understand why children would have an increased calorie intake when they less sleep. Typically when I am up late and I do snack I am not snacking on things like carrot sticks or fruit. I find myself eating things higher in calories or fat such as chips, crackers or ice cream. It’s easier to snack on a bag of chips late at night then something healthier. I read an article that I found interesting regarding sleep and eating in childhood.

  There is a great relationship between sleep deprivation, overeating, and obesity. A study was conducted with 56 children ages 5-12 years old with healthy BMI's. The goal of the study was to see if there was an association between sleep and eating behaviors. The children's sleep patterns were studied for seven consecutive days using actigraphy. Actigraphy is a non-invasive method of monitoring human rest/activity cycles. A sleep log was also kept in which the children answered questions about sleep, wake times, mood, sleepiness, and medicine intake. The child dutch eating behavior questionnaire was used to determine levels of emotional, external, and restrained eating in children. They found that external eating was negatively related to sleep duration. Emotional eating was associated with lower levels of sleep and restrained eating was associated with a later sleep start and later bedtime. Short sleep duration and poor sleep continuity was associated with high levels of eating behaviors which was also related to increased food intake. Sleep loss may be related to self-regulation of eating in children which can then lead to overeating and obesity.

  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24239496

[lesleyfrazier12]

It should be no surprise to hear that 83% of Americans are coffee drinkers. To my surprise, it really does matter when you have your “coffee break.” Our bodies are guided by a 24-hour hormonal cycle referred to as the circadian clock. At certain times of the day, our body releases a hormone...

[kellizentz]

Wow I had no idea when you drink coffee during your peak cortisol levels it decreases its effectiveness. I found this to be very informative and useful information since I am a frequent coffee drinker.

[kellizentz]

Childhood Obesity and Television

I believe that one reason childhood obesity is on the rise is because of electronics and more television children have access too now than ever before. Years ago before internet, ipads and flat screens were ever a thought children used more of their free time playing outside. Running around with friends, riding their bikes, ect… Now you see more children sitting inside playing on ipads and watching television. There is less physical activity going on with the youth of today. I think that when you sit around watching television you can have more tendencies to snack. It’s not hard to grab that bag of chips while watching television and before you know it the bag is empty. Not only do you see adults doing this but children as well.

The hypothesis formed in this article is that there is a direct relationship with television watching and childhood obesity. Children who watch more television tend to have increased calorie intakes and reduced physical activity. Advertisements of high fat, high sugar, higher calorie foods and beverages have been shown to affect children’s preferences. Foods eaten while watching television include more fat, sugar and higher calorie foods as opposed to fruits and vegetables. A survey found that television sets in children’s bedrooms have also increased. 50-70% of children now have a television set in their bedroom. Children with television sets in their bedrooms spend more hours watching television than those who do not have television sets in their bedrooms. One half of U.S. children live in homes where the television is constantly on and have no rules regarding television watching. School age children on average watch 3 hours of television per day. A cross sectional study was done among preschoolers showing the amount of time spent watching television and the prevalence of obesity. They found that each additional hour spend watching television was associated with a 6% increase in obesity prevalence. Several interventions have been successful at reducing television watching. A reduction in television combined with other healthy behaviors can reduce the incidence in obesity.

http://www.ppc-journal.com/article/S1058-9813(08)00037-4/fulltext

[danibrag]

Often times when people think of food insecure house holds it is automatically related to household income, and it is assumed that food insecure households have no income. This assumption is very wrong, and the statistics behind it come as a surprise to many, including me at first.

Between 2006 and 2007, 68% of food insecure households had at least one full-time working adult, and 10% had an adult employed part time. That means that almost 80% of food insecure households had an employed adult. Therefore, food insecurity cannot be blamed on unemployment or lack on money coming into the household. In houses with children, especially more than one, even when an adult is working full time that money only stretches so far. Households with a disabled adult had a significantly higher rate of food insecurity, almost 30%.

I think it is important for people to become informed and aware of the facts of food insecurity, instead of assuming and believing everything we hear. Just because a household is food insecure does not mean the adults in that house don’t work as hard or are less responsible than people in food secure homes. Food insecure is not a choice someone makes and decides to live with, it is something people suffer from. The more aware people are about food insecurity the more we can do to stop it.

[kellizentz]

I found these facts to be very interesting. I was definitely one of those people who were misinformed about food insecurity.