The EDGE: Research IDs 7 risk factors behind childhood obesity

Experts take cautious approach to food additive carrageenan | Drinking diet soda in moderation is OK, dietitian says | Have a snack before shopping, nutritionist says

Created for jmabs1@gmail.com | Web Version

July 15, 2013

CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF

FORWARD

Sponsored By

Experts take cautious approach to food additive carrageenan
Some studies link the food additive carrageenan to digestive diseases, inflammation and cancer, but the FDA is taking a cautious approach and has not banned the thickening agent because other research has shown it is not harmful. Registered dietitian Joy Dubost advises clients who are concerned about the additive to read food labels to find products that do not use it, but said she does not generally recommend avoiding it based on scientific evidence. Today's Dietitian (7/2013)

Help boost fruit intake with 100% orange juice

100% Florida orange juice is a great way to complement whole fruit intake to help meet fruit intake recommendations: One 8-ounce glass of 100 percent orange juice provides half of the USDA-recommended daily fruit intake for most adults, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Plus, it contains only the sugars naturally present in oranges.

Dietary Health

Drinking diet soda in moderation is OK, dietitian says
Research suggests alternative sweeteners in soda may be linked to weight gain, but registered dietitian Brittany Donlon says drinking an occasional diet beverage is OK. A bigger concern, Donlon says, is if people are choosing unhealthy drinks instead of healthier options, such as water.

WGEM-TV (Quincy, Ill.) (7/12)

Have a snack before shopping, nutritionist says
A study found that people who shop when they are hungry may buy more calories, so nutritionist Dr. Lisa Young recommends having a healthy snack before going to the store. Some quick options include an apple with peanut butter, fruit with yogurt or cottage cheese, a cup of mixed vegetables with hummus, a fruit smoothie or whole-grain crackers and reduced-fat cheese. The Huffington Post (7/12)

Other News

USDA wants more farmers markets to accept SNAP cards
USA Today (7/13)
Share:

Science & Research

Research IDs 7 risk factors behind childhood obesity
Gender, birth weight, early weight gain, breast-feeding practices, prenatal smoking, prepregnancy weight and paternal weight were among the factors that influenced children's risk of being overweight at age 3, a U.K. study showed. The findings, based on data on more than 13,000 children, were published in the journal Pediatrics. DailyRx.com (7/14)

Study links higher BMI to risk of gallstones
A population-based study linked increased BMI with a higher risk of gallstones, especially in women. The Danish researchers also found that patients who had more genetic variants linked to obesity also had a higher risk of increased BMI and developing gallstones. The findings were published in Hepatology. MedPage Today (free registration) (7/14)

Fitness

Study: Community program effective in curbing childhood obesity
Children in Massachusetts who joined the Shape Up Somerville initiative, a community-based exercise and involvement program, showed better BMI z scores, remission rates and overall obesity prevalence at 2 years compared with those in the control group, a study indicated. The findings appear in the journal Preventive Medicine. Healio/Endocrine Today (7/10)

Hot Topics

Stockton, Calif., is top city for dietitians, report says Times-Herald (Vallejo, Calif.)

Dietitian has tips for healthy, gluten-free vegetarian diet Food & Nutrition Magazine

RD says SuperTracker aims to make healthy lifestyle easier The Washington Post (tiered subscription model)

Exercise, obesity rates simultaneously increase in U.S. HealthDay News

Researcher says artificial sweeteners may raise health risks Medscape (free registration)

Institutional Foodservice

Hospital, farmers market partner for healthy-cooking demos
Norwood Hospital in Massachusetts and the Norwood Farmers Market are partners in a "chef's table" initiative that will feature healthy cooking demonstrations and free recipe cards. The cooking demonstrations will feature hospital dietitian Caitlin Melia, who will cook healthy recipes using locally grown produce. Patch.com/Norwood, Mass. (7/12)