The EDGE: CDC data show obesity-rate drop among young children

Diet plans know men, women view weight loss differently | Bill aims to end tax deductions for unhealthy-food advertising | Steps for a better salad

Created for jmabs1@gmail.com | Web Version

August 7, 2013

CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF

FORWARD

Sponsored By

Diet plans know men, women view weight loss differently
Commercial diet plans recognize that men look at losing weight differently than women do, taking a simpler approach and often referring to it as getting in shape, experts said. Some diets offer gender-specific menus, and nutrition specialist Jim White of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says men shed pounds more quickly than women do because their greater muscle mass gives them a higher metabolic rate. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (8/6)

Get CE credits from California Walnuts

Looking to expand your professional education? View current CE offerings from the California Walnut Commission to learn more about the health benefits of walnuts and the role they play in a balanced diet. Topics include: 'Walnuts: A Whole Food with Whole Body Benefits', 'Diabetes & Diet: Connecting the Dots', and 'Omega-3 Fatty Acids from Walnuts'.

Dietary Health

Bill aims to end tax deductions for unhealthy-food advertising
A House bill would end marketing-expense tax deductions for advertising that targets unhealthy food choices to children. The bill would rely on food-quality designations from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Trade Commission, which have previously tried to prohibit most food advertising to children. Adweek (8/5)

Steps for a better salad
Salads with in-season produce are a delicious way to prepare a meal, Alyson Chugerman writes. Start by varying the greens, focusing on dark and leafy varieties, then throw in some protein such as sliced steak or chicken and coat with a flavorful, homemade dressing. Poughkeepsie Journal (N.Y.) (8/4)

Science & Research

CDC data show obesity-rate drop among young children
CDC data show that obesity rates for children from low-income families declined in 19 states and U.S. territories from 2008 to 2011, and researchers said it could signal a turning point in the epidemic among children ages 2 to 4. CDC researcher Heidi Blanck said it is the first time so many states have shown a decline, and that the key to ending the obesity epidemic may be reaching young children. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (8/6)

Lack of sleep may drive preference for unhealthy foods
Sleep deprivation was associated with impaired activity in brain regions associated with decision making, and increased activity in the brain's reward centers, according to researchers at the University of California. Data on 23 healthy participants showed an increased preference for high-calorie foods when they were sleep-deprived compared with when they were well-rested. The results appear in Nature Communications. Yahoo/Asian News International (8/7)

More obese whites opt for weight-loss procedure, study finds
A study in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that while more obese black patients qualify for weight-loss surgery, twice as many obese white patients underwent the procedure from 1999 to 2010. Researchers said differences in insurance coverage may contribute to the discrepancy, but more studies are needed to determine whether cultural differences and physician mistrust may also be factors. HealthDay News (8/5)

Study: Consumption is affected by transparent packaging
Participants in a study ate more M&M's and fewer carrots when the snacks were in packages that let participants see inside, compared with opaque packaging. The results indicate delicious-looking food gets eaten more when in clear packages. FoodProductionDaily.com (France) (8/5)

Fitness

Another study ties walking to lower odds of diabetes
A study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine revealed that people who walk to work have a 40% reduced risk of diabetes and 17% lower odds of hypertension compared with those who drive to work. Researchers also found that only 15% of people who walked and 13% who bicycled to work were obese, compared with 19% of those who used private transportation. U.S. News & World Report/HealthDay News (8/6)

Institutional Foodservice

Santa Monica program makes lunch for its elderly a priority
The WISE & Healthy Aging program providing free or reduced-cost lunches for seniors in Santa Monica, Calif., is dropping funding from Los Angeles County so it can give priority seating to elderly residents who often cannot get lunch because spots are taken by people living outside Santa Monica. There are several countywide lunch programs for the elderly, and the city's human resources administrator, Margaret Willis, said she is confident people will not go hungry. Santa Monica Daily Press (Calif.) (8/6)

Recipe of the Day

Skillet gnocchi with Swiss chard and white beans
This one-skillet dinner comes together quickly and easily on a busy weeknight. Eating Well

Food For Thought

I suspect that while few men would ever admit to being on a diet, they are happy to say that they fast two days a week, as that sounds altogether more spiritual and more manly."

-- "The Fast Diet" author Dr. Michael Mosley, as quoted by The Wall Street Journal