CSPI is concerned about the fact that food marketers continue to aggressively target children with unhealthy foods, despite high obesity rates. That shouldn’t come as a surprise though, should it? Companies are built to make money, not think about what would help parents and their obese children. They are making their products cheaper (i.e. processed and unnatural), so they are cheap enough for average consumers to buy as much of it as possible.

Even though kids naturally gravitate more towards Lucky Charms than a bran cereal, there are sweet and healthier options for breakfast. But, back to the story at hand…

If you’re a parent and your kids are parked in front of the television watching their favorite Nickelodeon show, you can rest assured they will be seeing a commercial for some sort of rainbow-colored, sugar-filled breakfast food, not Fiber One. In 2008, the Federal Trade Commission found that companies spent $870 million to market food to children under 12. And, an additional $1 billion went to marketing to older kids.

“If companies were marketing bananas and broccoli, we wouldn’t be concerned. But instead, most of the marketing is for sugary cereals, fast food, snack foods, and candy. And this junk food marketing is a major contributor to childhood obesity,” says CSPI nutrition policy director Margo G. Wootan.

You can find the entire report card at CSPI’s website. Besides the fact that the report is loaded with failing grades, there is one even more interesting shocker; one company stands above all the rest with a B+ — Mars, Inc. That’s right, the company that makes candy bars (Snickers) and other chocolate favorites (M&M’s) does the best job in not (overly) marketing their products to kids.

(via: WebMD)

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Kids’ Food Makers Get Failing Grades

According to the FDA, 22 products made by companies like Nestle, Diamond Foods and POM violate the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act by using unauthorized words like “healthy” and “cholesterol free.” Using such words on product packaging requires that the item’s nutritional content must meet the FDA’s very strict definition of “healthy” or “cholesterol free.”

One of the products flagged is Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream for Nestle Drumsticks and Dibs. The products claims to have zero grams of trans-fat on their packages, but the FDA is calling out Dreyer’s, a subsidiary of Nestle, for violating labeling regulations. One serving of Dibs actually contains 17 grams of saturated fat and one Nestle vanilla Drumstick contains 11 grams of saturated fat. Federal guidelines recommend consuming no more than 20 grams of saturated fat per day.

Other citations include Gerber baby food, Juicy Juice, POM pomegranate juice and Gorton’s fish fillets.

POM’s pomegranate juice is being cited for its claims that the beverage can help to prevent or cure diseases like cancer, hypertension and diabetes.

Nestlé Juicy Juice makes the claim that its children-targeted drinks come from a single fruit source rather than a flavored blend of juices, which they do in fact contain.

All in all, the FDA sent out 17 letters to companies representing the 22 red-flagged products. The companies have 15 days to respond explaining how they plan to correct the current food labels.

This is just one step taken by the FDA to clamp down on food manufacturing companies who make exaggerated health claims on their not-so-healthy products. Given the current state of obesity in the country, such unsubstantiated labels are an additional nail in the nation’s ever expanding coffin.

The FDA “soon will propose guidance regarding calorie and nutrient labeling on the front of food packages.” The agency “plans to work collaboratively with the food industry to design and implement innovative approaches to front-of-package labeling that can help consumers choose healthy diets.”

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FDA Urges for New Food and Beverage Labels

It appears that some people may be terminating metaformin, a medication commonly prescribed for diabetes, due to complaints of nausea, stomach pain, and unpleasant after-taste. It appears the nausea is more a result of the smell of the medication than a side-effect of the drug. Eue de metaformin has been described as fishy, rotten, or like a sweaty sock. Luckily, the coating on the extended-release tablets seems to protect patients from that smell. Look for more information on this research in the February issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.

Being able to terminate medications for diabetes, blood pressure, and other chronic health problems is often one of the major triumphs of anyone losing weight; it’s even celebrated on the Biggest Loser. For many people, diabetes is very related to weight. However, only a doctor should make the decision to terminate a medication. If you have concerns about a medication, talk to your pharmacist or physician. They may choose to help you safely terminate the medication or they may have other suggestions. In the case of metaformin, you may simply need to switch to the extended-release version. Perhaps being able to terminate certain medications can be a motivation that you use to increase activity, improve diet, and lose weight.

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Taking Medication May Stink, but There May be Other Options

I know what you’re thinking: “Well, I work out and eat right, so I have nothing to worry about.” If that’s all it took, then this news would not be particularly horrifying. The shocking part of the findings is that this applies to everyone.

The first reason for this is the most obvious. Sitting down, aside from sleeping, is about the most passive thing you can do. Even little things like chewing gum will increase your calorie burning. Standing in place can also burn calories, as you will tend to tense your leg muscles, shift your legs, and engage the muscles in your upper body.

Much of what will increase the slow creep of incremental weight gain from year to year is based upon the small decisions that you make. This can be remedied by walking the stairs instead of taking the elevator, or parking your car in the fourth row of spots instead of the rock star parking that opened up in front of the building.

To prove this point, a study of junior doctors who did the same job found that some of them walked four times the distance than others at work each day. While none of the subjects in the study were overweight, the doctors who walked a little more were thinner than the others.

So, here’s the worst part of the new research: Sitting for long periods of time isn’t just about not burning calories, it’s actively working against your health. A study that examined people who sit for long periods of time found that those who took frequent small breaks had smaller waistlines and better health profiles for sugar and fat metabolism than those who have long, uninterrupted strings of sitting down. This includes doing things like standing up to stretch or walking down the hall to chat with a favorite co-worker.

In essence, it now pays to be a little ADD.

Make changes to your sit-all-day habits:

• Get up from your chair at least once per hour, even for a quick stretch or office yoga
• Walk to co-workers’ desks instead of calling or IMing
• Replace your desk chair with a yoga ball
• Request a standing desk
• Consider a treadmill desk for a home office
• Wear a pedometer and aim for 10,000 steps per day, at least

(via: The New York Times)

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Sitting Can be Dangerous to Your Health

National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. One month is not nearly enough time to think about eating healthy and exercise, but I’ll take what I can get!

The theme for March 2010 is “Nutrition From the Ground Up.” I love this theme because it aligns with what I believe is missing in the nutrition conversation – a healthy foundation.

So much of what I read about in papers and magazines is “good food, bad food” kind of talk. Heaven forbid I purchased some Nutella this week… and I just might eat a little out of the jar! Ohhh… and the first ingredient on the label is sugar. Does that mean I don’t care about nutrition? Absolutely not! What it does mean is that I care what is in products because I read the label and I know that since it has sugar as the first ingredient, this is not supposed to be the foundation of my eating plan. It just so happens I love it on bananas and strawberries and that’s how I’ve been having it. I know that this treat is something I should thoroughly enjoy and savor. That I can always go back and get more. There will be some at the store. I don’t need my fair share (read giant spoonfulls) today.

What I’m getting at is critical to the mindset of the “healthy foundation” I was referring to. What is your “nutrition mindset”? Do you eat and repent? What has that done for you? Hmmm…

All this month, I’ll be bringing you interviews with the nation’s top dietitians. We will discuss where people are “getting nutrition right” and where they are faltering. I’m also going to tackle a few big nutrition issues like childhood obesity, the latest research, and a four-week nutrition makeover!

It’s going to be hot!

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National Nutrition Month: Nutrition From the Ground Up

Several of the nation’s leading health experts are calling for a tax on soda and other sugar-sweetened drinks as a means of curbing America’s ever growing obesity epidemic, with children as the age bracket with the highest levels of rising obesity. A report was recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine touting the benefits of such a tax.

From the report:

“We can raise much-needed dollars while likely reducing obesity prevalence, which is a major driver of health care costs,” the paper states. “Ultimately the government needs to raise more money to cover the deficit, and in terms of ways of raising that revenue, a tax on sugar sweetened beverages is really a no-brainer.”

Often referred to as a “sin” tax, the soda tax has been likened to the increased taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products that are so clearly unhealthy. On a federal level, the proposed tax is just about one cent per ounce, so it works out to an additional 12 cents per can. Reports have stated that this could bring in as much as $20 million a year in revenue, directly funneled to the health care reform efforts. That amount, though, falls drastically short of the amount needed for health care reform, and skeptics are critical of the efficacy of such a tax.

“By itself it would probably not really directly impact health care costs because there are so many other foods in addition to pop that has had an impact on the increase in obesity in the country,” said political science professor Don Vermillion. “If you really want impact on health care you would probably attack not just pop but snack foods in addition. Also, the Centers for Disease Control talks about how it’s not just food and drink we have a problem with but lack of exercise, which impacts obesity and health care costs.”

If there was a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages – including Gatorade, Vitamin Water and sodas – would it change your drinking habits? Or would you cut back in other areas? Don’t forget, water is free, and the best thing you can drink for your body.

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Can a Soda Tax Prevent Obesity?

I took a look at Indiana, selected different factors to explore from availability of restaurants and how much we spend on fast food to food taxes and the percentage of high schoolers who are physically active, and saw county by county how we rate and how we compare to neighboring states.

I make the farmer’s market a part of my regular routine; however, it looks like approximately a third of Indiana counties do not have a single farmers market and only Marion county (Indianapolis) has more than five. I am spoiled to be able to walk to one each week. No longer will I complain when my schedule requires I visit the farmer’s market in another area of town. Beyond thankfulness, the data also made me realize that many of my DietsInReview.com readers may not be able to relate to me writing about that area of my life and how I keep my diet healthy.

The Food Environment Atlas in itself could spark many more topics about which we could write. As a blogger, it can give me more information about my audience and more data for my articles. The data has been drawn from many sources and makes many facts and stats easier to find. It is informative, easy to use, and fun too. Check it out and let us know how you will use this new tool.

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Introducing the Interactive Food Environment Atlas

Jillian Michaels Sued because of Diet Pill Claims

A class action lawsuit was filed last week in L.A. against the Biggest Loser trainer by a woman claiming false advertising after she didn’t experience the promised results.

Kevin Smith Forced off Airplane for Being too Fat to Fly

The popular director was escorted off a Southwest Airlines flight after being told he didn’t fit in the seat and was putting other passengers in harm’s way.

Kirstie Alley’s Big Life Premieres March 21 on A&E

The star takes her on-again, off-again weight loss struggle to the reality TV stage, and documents her journey to lose 85 pounds while also creating her own weight loss plan.

Insanity Workout vs. P90X

We put the two most popular at-home workout programs side-by-side to help you decide which is best suited for your goals.

Recession Diet: Healthy Eating on the Cheap

Too strapped to buy healthy foods? Think again. We make a few suggestions to put more nutritious items in your cart and budget.

New Diet Reviews - Now with more than 1,100 published.

• Insanity Workout
• Skecher’s Shape-ups
• High School Reunion Diet
• Eat Out, Eat Right
• The New Atkins for a New You

New Diet Videos and Slideshows

• Video: Busy Mom Diet Tips from Cutie Booty Cakes
• Video: Long Distance Running Tips from Her Bad Mother
• Video: Jamie Oliver’s TED Speech on Childhood Obesity
• Video: Replace Sugar with Truvia
• Slideshow: Winter Olympics Athlete Spotlight

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Weight Loss News in Review – Week of February 14

Just this past Saturday, director Kevin Smith was asked to de-board a Southwest flight from Oakland to Burbank, California because, ahem, his bum was encroaching on the seats of his neighboring passengers, which according to Southwest Airlines regulations, posed a safety hazard to his fellow passengers.

Southwest said in an official statement that his removal was for the “safety and comfort of all customers.” The airlines also extended their “heartfelt apologies” to Smith.

Smith, whose exact weight is unknown, usually purchases two tickets when he’s flying, but because he was forced to travel standby on Saturday, only one seat remained, leaving the director to squeeze into just a single plane seat.

After being forced off the plane, Smith Tweeted in a half-joke and half-threat to the airlines, letting them know that they messed “with the wrong sedentary processed-foods eater!”

Smith’s numerous films and television projects include Clerks, Dogma, Chasing Amy and Cop Out, which will be released later this month.

Read more related stories:

• Extremely Obese Get Two Airline Seats for Price of One
• European Airline Ryanair Considers Charging Fat Tax
• Six Ways to Stay Healthy at the Airport

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Kevin Smith Forced Off Airplane for Being Too Fat to Fly

February is American Heart Month. Learn more about heart health all month long, and how you can prevent the number one killer in the U.S. Look for new articles throughout the month of February and regular tips via our Twitter @dietsinreview.

Lose Weight Gain a Healthy Heart

Five Foods That Will Save Your Heart

Top Five Foods to Lower Cholesterol

Most Popular Yoga Classes

The benefits of yoga are plentiful no matter which style of the ancient practice you choose to follow. Learn more about Bikram, Ayurveda and more.

A Beginner’s Guide to Kettlebells

An increasingly popular workout is the use of kettlebells. Find out what the benefits are and the safest way to start a regimen.

Ellen DeGeneres Gives Up Sugar

The talk show star is giving up sugar for the remainder of the year. Find out what her motivation is.

New Diet Reviews - Now with more than 1,100 published.

• Dole Banana Diet
• ThighGlider
• 5-Hour Energy Shots
• Your Shape, by Jenny McCarthy

New Diet Videos and Slideshows

• Video: Amanda’s Biggest Loser Week 5 Recap
• Video: Swap Spaghetti Squash for Pasta
• Video: Is a Fast-Food Diet Healthy?
• Slideshow: John Crutchfield’s Biggest Loser 9 Journey

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Weight Loss News in Review – Week of January 31