National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month. There is so much confusing and conflicting information about nutrition, many consumers simply throw in the fork and eat whatever whenever, convinced that trying to “eat healthy” is too hard, and that scientists will change their minds about what’s healthy anyway. The result is a nationwide increase in obesity and overweight and in diet-related concerns and in inflammatory disorders as well. In addition, there has been such an alarming increase in childhood and adolescent obesity, that the American Academy of Pediatricians is scrambling to develop appropriate protocols for treating children with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and type II diabetes. And the Johns Hopkins Weight Management Program has added treatment not only for children and adolescents, but for toddlers as well! Past programs of Dr. Phil and Oprah have highlighted the alarming and heart breaking stories of obese children and their families.
In this issue, we’ll try to clear up some of the confusion, distinguish between fact and fiction, and identify which “grey areas” require further research.
First of all, we’ll take a look at childhood obesity which has doubled in the U.S. over the past two decades. Contributing factors include marked decrease in physical activity and marked increase in consumption of high calorie, high fat, high sugar foods in portions which have increased by up to 700%!! Overworked and time pressured parents need compassionate education and support to help themselves and their children to learn to make healthy choices and live an active lifestyle for a lifetime. According to Pediatric Basics, Winter, 2003, The Journal of Pediatric Nutrition and Development, the following practices will go a long way in promoting family health:
- eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day
- prepare and eat dinner together as a family at least 3 nights a week
- eat at the table, rather than while standing up, or in front of the TV, computer or in the car
- play together regularly
- use non-food incentives to comfort, reward, discipline
- say nice things about child’s physical appearance and promote a healthy body image
- comment on others’ positive qualities rather than body type
It is important to remember that causes of childhood and adolescent obesity as well as adult obesity are multi-factorial and not as simple as “eat less, move more”. There are community factors such as unsafe neighborhoods, lack of sidewalks; intrapersonal factors such as poor body/self image, preference for high fat, high calorie foods, hectic lifestyles; institutional factors like calorically dense school lunches combined with decreased physical activity in schools and a preponderance of vending machines as well as a lack of focus on lifelong fun physical activities; interpersonal factors such as a low level of family physical activity and sedentary leisure time behaviors, irregular meals, and family and peer norms that over emphasize dieting while de-emphasizing healthful eating and physical activity; finally, social norms and national policies such as food ads targeting children and adolescents, modern technology leading to decreased physical activity, and social norms that discourage physical activity for those who are overweight or obese. (Pediatric Basics, Winter, 2003)
For on-line help regarding nutrition for children, go to http://www.nutritionforkids.com where registered dietician Connie Evens features news, articles, tips, recipes and a fun and fresh approach to teaching kids about healthy eating.
Next, let’s take a look at what we know condusively from nutrition research. Contrary to what thousands of diet books would have you believe, there isn’t one nutritional prescription that is best suited to everyone. Individual biochemistry, genetics, and physical activity level all influence an individual’s need for calories, as well as vitamins and minerals, and the distribution of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Some individuals are more sensitive to caffeine and/or sugar/or salt, others less able to digest milk products (not only lactose, but casein), are wheat/gluten sensitive, and a host of other variables determine any given individual’s response to food. In addition there is a difference between a “healthy maintenance” level of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients and a “therapeutic level” which may be required to correct an imbalance or to speed healing. If you are looking for a way to fine-tune your diet for optimum wellness or to decrease the chances and/or effects of life-style related diseases, contact a health professional who has received training in “functional medicine and nutrition”. This may include some, but by no means all, of the following: medical doctors, chiropractors, nutritionists, acupuncturists, naturopaths. Contact The Fitness Movement or visit our website at www.healing-bridges.com.