NIH: Banning Fast Food Ads Will Make Kids Less Fat

CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- A ban on fast-food advertising to children would cut the national obesity rate by as much as 18%, according to a new study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research and funded by the National Institutes of Health.

The study measured the number of fast-food ads kids watched and found a fast-food TV-ad ban for children's programming would reduce the number of overweight children aged 3 to 11 by 18%, and for adolescents (12- to 18-year-olds) by 14%. Data also revealed a more pronounced effect on males than females.  Read the full article at...

http://adage.com/article?article_id=132718 

PROCESSED MEATS IN SCHOOLS: Putting Children at Risk for Cancer

A Report from The Cancer Project - Summer, 2008

Approximately 150,000 Americans will develop colon cancer or rectal cancer in 2008, according to the National
Cancer Institute. Colorectal cancer, the fourth most common cancer, will kill nearly 50,000 people this year in the
United States.

Consuming processed meats—including hot dogs, pepperoni, bacon, and deli meats—is a key risk factor for this
disease, according to a comprehensive report released late last year by the American Institute for Cancer Research
(AICR) and the World Cancer Research Fund. After reviewing all existing data on nutrition and cancer risk, AICR
scientists concluded that processed meats increase one’s risk of colorectal cancer by an average of 21 percent for
every 50 grams of processed meat consumed daily. A 50-gram serving is approximately the size of a typical hot
dog. Because research on processed meats shows cancer risk starts to increase with any portion, the AICR recommends
avoiding such products.

As children return to school this fall, how many will be served processed meat products that increase their risk of
colorectal cancer later in life? To determine the prevalence of processed meats in school meals, nutritionists with
the Cancer Project analyzed lunch and breakfast menus at 29 large school districts in 23 states and the District
of Columbia. Nutritionists evaluated one month’s worth of menus from each district. Menus were taken from the
spring semester of 2008.

http://www.pcrm.org/health/PDFs/CP_Processed_Meat_Report.pdf 

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine  - 2008 SCHOOL LUNCH REPORT CARD

As childhood obesity rates climb, attention is increasingly focused on the importance of improving the healthfulness of school meals. The prevalence of childhood overweight could double over the next two decades, according to a recent study from researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. While many factors contribute to childhood obesity, poor nutrition plays a leading role.

Because the school lunches served to millions of children every day have a critical impact on their health and eating habits, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) evaluates meals served in the National School Lunch Program each year. This year, PCRM dietitians analyzed elementary school lunches served by 20 school districts and evaluated the districts’ efforts to promote healthful eating habits to students.

The results, which are summarized in a report card on page 8, show a major shift in the healthfulness of school lunches. Despite rising food prices, many districts have found cost-effective ways to improve their lunch menus. More and more schools are now serving fresh fruit, low-fat vegetable side dishes, and healthful vegetarian entrées on a daily basis. Many schools have also initiated nutrition education programs and other efforts to encourage good eating habits.

http://www.healthyschoollunches.org/reports/report2008_intro.cfm 

European Union Study: "Organic Food Far More Nutritious"

The biggest study ever into organic food – a four-year EU funded project called the Quality Low Input Food (QLIF) project – found that organic food is FAR more nutritious than ordinary produce, and can help improve your health and longevity. You’re likely to hear more about this again, once they publish their findings in full, which is expected to occur by the end of this year.

This study may have considerable impact, as its findings may even overturn government advice – at least in the U.K. – which currently states that eating organic food is no more than a lifestyle choice.

For example, this study found that:

Organic fruit and vegetables contain up to 40 percent more antioxidants
Organic produce had higher levels of beneficial minerals like iron and zinc
Milk from organic herds contained up to 90 percent more antioxidants

The researchers even went so far as to say that eating organic foods can help to increase the nutrient intake of people who don’t eat the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

Food grown in healthier soil, with natural fertilizers and no chemicals, simply has to be more nutritious. It is common knowledge -- though knowledge that is greatly suppressed in the United States. But science is catching up, making suppression of this fact more difficult to sustain.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/08/12/12-foods-you-don-t-have-to-buy-organic.aspx?source=nl