Health Issues Related to Obesity

Trends Most foods today are available in larger portion sizes than they were in the 1970’s, and far exceed standard portion sizes. What kind of reaction do you get when you are served the standard portion size of ½ cup of French fries? The result of increased portion sizes is eating more calories.

Trends Children who eat fast food consume more total calories, calories per gram of food, total and saturated fat, total carbohydrate, added sugars and sugar-sweetened beverages, but less milk, fiber, fruit, and non starchy vegetables.

Bad Eating Habits Start Early Babies who are served baby food, generally have good diets. When they start eating what the family eats—things change.

Bad Eating Habits Start Early Toddlers eat French fries more than other vegetables. Many children go an entire day without seeing a piece of fruit or green vegetable. Apple juice and apple-flavored fruit drinks are consumed most often; however, juices, fruit drinks, and carbonated beverages appeared to displace milk in toddlers’ diets.

Percentage of U.S. Children and Adolescents Who Were Overweight Ages Ages

Actual Consumption Pyramid U.S. Total Actual Consumption Pyramid U.S. Total What we actually eat does not reflect the recommendations set by the USDA Food Guide Pyramid.

Portion Distortion Super-sizing portions can be found in sodas. The 8-ounce bottle was replaced by a 12- ounce can. Now, that can is being replaced by the 20-ounce bottle. As the portion size has increased, so have the calories and sugar. Putting this in perspective, a 20-ounce soda provides the average teen girl 12% of her daily caloric needs but with no extra nutrients.

Portion Distortion 6½ ounces 88 calories 12 ounces 160 calories 20 ounces 266 calories 1950s 1980s 2000s

Student Access to Competitive Foods and Beverages in Schools Schools with vending machines or a school store –43% of elementary schools –74% of middle/junior high schools –98% of senior high Most of the items sold in these venues are high in fat, sugar, and salt. Source: CDC, School Health Policies and Programs Study 2000

Student Access to Competitive Foods and Beverages in Schools School that have both vending machines and school stores –10% of elementary –27% of middle/junior high –56% of senior high schools Most of the items sold in these venues are high in fat, sugar, and salt. Source: CDC, School Health Policies and Programs Study 2000

Percentage of Teens Who Drink Milk and Carbonated Soft Drinks On a Given Day in 1994, by Sex

Percentage of Youth Participating in Vigorous Physical Activity Age (Yr) Percentage USDA 1998

Increase in Type 2 Diabetes Being overweight is associated with a skyrocketing increase in Type 2 diabetes

Short-term Effects of Diet on School Performance and Health Risk for immediate health problems, such as –Dental caries –Anemia –Obesity Impact on problem-solving skills, test scores, classroom behavior, and absenteeism

What Can You Do?

Experts Recommend: èUse the food guide pyramid èEliminate high calorie snacks èMake gradual changes èEat well-balanced meals Barlow & Dietz, 1998

èSelect healthy fruits and snacks as treat foods, i.e. grapes, raisins, etc. èEat a variety of foods èAvoid drinking high sugar beverages. èFor one month turn off the TV, computers, and video games every Tuesday. Good Ideas

èEat and drink all foods and beverages at the kitchen or dining table. èAlways eat a healthy breakfast. èAvoid snacking after dinnertime. More Good Ideas:

30 Minute Rule F Research indicates that after 30 minutes of mental work, the ability to concentrate begins to decline. F Sitting burns only calories per hour. F Solution: Get up and walk around every 30 minutes or plan a stretch break.

Health Benefits of Regular Physical Activity Decreased risk for obesity Decreased risk for type 2 diabetes Increased self esteem Improved fitness Enhanced bone mass Improved metabolism

BMI Is the First Step Measuring BMI is only a first step to determining if a person is overweight or at risk of being overweight. Two persons can have the same BMI, yet one person can be physically fit and the other person out of shape. See a health care professional for further diagnosis and treatment.

Resources Melinda S. Sothern, PhD Pennington Biomedical Research Center –LSU For more information visit: Howell Weschler, PhD, CDC Clare Miller, MS, RD, USDA