Healthy Foods Help Battle Childhood Obesity

Two new studies show how important forming healthy food and beverage habits can be in children and adolescents.

One study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that what 5-year-old girls drink can predict their weight status for the remainder of childhood and into adolescence. Researchers at Pennsylvania State University found that those who drank more sweetened beverages, such as soda and sports drinks, at the age of 5 were more likely to be overweight over the following 10 years. Additionally, nutrient-rich beverages displaced the sodas and sports drinks – girls who drank more milk and 100% fruit juice drank fewer nutritionally empty sweetened beverages. Serve your child plain or flavored milk, both have nine essential vitamins and minerals.

Another study, in Public Health Nutrition, reinforces recent reports that suggest low consumption of nutrient-rich foods – specifically low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains – can contribute to obesity among young adults. Try a new recipe that combines nutrient-rich foods for a tasty treat.

• Fresh Vegetable Burrito
• BBQ Chicken and Cheddar Foil Pack Dinner
• Orange Vanilla Smoothie
• Bone Appetit Banana Smoothie

Fiorito LM, Marini M, Francis LA, Smicklas-Wright H, Birch LL. Beverage intake of girls at age 5 y predicts adiposity and weight status in childhood and adolescence. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2009; 94: 935-942.

Bradlee ML, Singer MR, Qureshi MM, Moore LL. Food group intake and central obesity among children and adolescents in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Public Health Nutrition Published online, Cambridge University Press; 2009.