The EDGE: Legislation would extend coverage for obesity treatment

White House recipe contest encourages healthy eating | Legislators propose bills to extend coverage for obesity treatments | RD: Reduce consumption of all types of added sugars

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June 21, 2013

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Healthy Start

White House recipe contest encourages healthy eating
After more than 1,300 families with children submitted original, nutritious recipes to the White House's East Wing healthy recipe contest, 108 were evaluated by judges that included children, Department of Agriculture employees and Sam Kass, Michelle Obama's senior policy adviser on nutrition. Fifty-four winners will attend a "state dinner" at the White House next month. "This is an incredible opportunity to utilize the platform we have in the White House to incentivize kids to get engaged in preparing healthy meals," Kass said. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (6/19)

Dietary Health

Legislators propose bills to extend coverage for obesity treatments
U.S. Sens. Tom Carper, D-Del., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, introduced The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act to require Medicare to provide coverage for more obesity treatments, including prescription drugs and weight-loss counseling. Reps. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Ron Kind, D-Wis., introduced a companion bill in the House. Reuters (6/19)

RD: Reduce consumption of all types of added sugars
There is not enough scientific data on high-fructose corn syrup to "vilify it," compared with other forms of sugar, but people should reduce their added sugar intake from all sources, writes registered dietitian Hope Warshaw. She suggests reading ingredient labels to find all the added sugars in processed foods, including brown sugar, molasses, fruit nectar and honey. The Washington Post (tiered subscription model) (6/18)

FDA sets 5 goals for improving food safety
The FDA has released a strategic plan that identifies five goals for improving food safety and public health as imports of fresh produce and seafood continue to rise along with demand. "Traditional methods for sterilizing and disinfecting food must change to accommodate consumer preference for fresh and minimally processed foods," the plan says. The Packer (Lenexa, Kan.) (6/19)

Other News

Experts offer advice on how to have a healthier diet
The Wall Street Journal (6/18)
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Science & Research

Harvested fruits, vegetables still react to light, study says
How and when fruits and vegetables are stored and consumed may affect their nutrition value, Rice University researchers reported in Current Biology. The study found that harvested produce remains alive, is affected by light and can change levels of chemicals that may affect health value. HealthDay News (6/20)

Weight gain in first month of life tied to higher IQ scores
Babies who gained the most weight during the first four weeks of life had 1.5-point higher IQ scores at age 6.5 years compared with those with the least weight gain, Australian researchers reported in the journal Pediatrics. PhysiciansBriefing.com/HealthDay News (6/17)

Fitness

Functional-fitness trend brings new type of workout gear
Weight machines, treadmills and other traditional exercise equipment are being replaced by kettle bells, sleds and medicine balls as the functional-fitness trend spreads to help people perform daily activities. Classes such as UFX Zone, or ultimate fitness experience, include repetitions of high-intensity exercises, such as lunges and squat thrusts, that use the newer equipment in a full-body workout. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (6/20)

Institutional Foodservice

Foodservice directors learn new ideas for student menus
The University of Mississippi National Food Service Management Institute is sending trainers around the country to teach the latest child nutrition trends and healthy recipes to school foodservice directors. The institute's Allyson Russell says the mission is to introduce foods that students normally might not eat. The Sun Herald (Biloxi-Gulfport, Miss.) (6/20)