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About 30 percent of people who are considered obese have antibodies to adenovirus, or (AD) 36, and researchers are trying to figure out if this virus may actually cause obesity. Only 10 percent of non-obese people carry the antibodies. Researchers are intrigued by the fact that the obese people with the antibody seem to have lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels than obese people without the antibody, which may give a clue as to the role the virus plays in fat development.
The motto on the machine says: "Take if from a cow, this is good chow."
That's our Stonyfield Healthy Vending machine, which made its Washington state debut last week in five middle and high schools. The machines are meant to be an alternative to the usual junk food sold in vending machines in schools across the nation. The Stonyfield machines are now in six states, with more than 800 schools on our list asking for machines of their own.
Everything sold in the machines was taste-tested and approved earlier by the students. The healthy vending machines are filled with an assortment of organic and natural snacks from such companies as Organic Valley (milk and string cheese), Stacy’s pita chips, Newman’s Own Organics pretzels, and, of course, our own Organic Smoothies.
Above is Emilia Ptak of Inglemoor High School in Kenmore, Washington. She was the one who actually applied to Stonyfield, using our on-line application, and worked closely with school food folks to get the machine approved. She also coordinated the student taste-tests. Our lids are off to Emilia for her devotion to healthy eating for her peers!
Also receiving the machines last week were Washington Middle School in Olympia, Cascade High School in Everett, Snohomish High School in Snohomish, and Post Middle School in Arlington.
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A multi-national group is meeting to discuss some 40 health initiatives and as part of that effort, a panel of obese people was convened to poll their attitudes toward government and other involvement in the obesity crisis worldwide. Among the panel members, representatives of the United Kingdom differed widely from representatives of the United States. Only 43 percent of the Americans thought goverment should get involved in tackling the problem, while 83 percent of the UK representatives felt government had a role. When asked if food labels should be more explicit to help curb obesity, 91 percent of the UK participants thought this was a good idea, while only 68 percent of those from the U.S. thought so.
We're not sure what all this means in the long run, but it's interesting to note the vast differences between two countries who are close allies in many other ways. What do you think? Should government get more involved in the obesity problem in this country?
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One solution to the growing problem of overweight children could be a change in a family's eating habits---namely, eating more meals at home. (Come to think of it, this is a good idea for adults, too!) With so many restaurant portions being beyond reasonable, and so many entres being delivered with French fries as the vegetable--no wonder children who eat out a lot are overweight. Researchers have found that children who eat at home more often than children who do not are eating better, nutritionally speaking, as reported in the Journal of Adolescent Health. Among teenagers, eating at home more also seems to be associated with developing fewer eating disorders. Eating a family meal at home five times a week showed reduced risk of eating disorders in teenage girls.
Maybe after dining together as a family, the gang should head out to the health club together. According to a Fox News report, more teens are enrolling at health clubs, up 25 percent over the past few years. About 5 million teens are currently enrolled in a health club--good news for their health.
VISIT OUR NEW BABY BABBLE BLOG
The parents at Stonyfield Farm are chatting with each other about the trials and tribulations of raising infants and toddlers. Perhaps you'll want to join the conversation at Baby Babble?
ABOUT CREATING HEALTHY KIDS
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chalvorson@stonyfield.com
One year from now, the European Union could well ban the advertising of junk food to children, if the food industry doesn't just stop it on its own. The European Commission may resort to a ban if this voluntary effort doesn't work. Those who instigated the one-year deadline say that the obesity epidemic throughout Europe merits this urgent action. In addition to banning ads to children, food labeling will have to improve. For example, one recent study said 36 percent of nine-year-olds in Italy were obese.
Take our poll, or use the comment box below to tell us your opinions on junk food advertising.
ABOUT CREATING HEALTHY KIDS
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