The phrase “like father, like son” now takes on a more serious meaning. According to an Australian study of more than 3000 families, four-year-olds who had fathers who were overweight or obese were at least four times more likely than other children to have weight problems by the time they reached eight.

The researchers investigated patterns in two-parent families, tracking their children  between the ages of four and eight. In each case, only one parent was overweight or obese. Interestingly, if the mother was overweight it did not seem to affect the weight of the children.

“We know that when both parents are overweight or obese, their children are more likely to also be overweight or obese,” said researcher Emily Freeman.

That part is logical, since parents are the providers and if they are buying unhealthy food, children have no choice but to eat what they are fed. While the study did not investigate the reasoning behind the troublesome link, it seems obvious that kids have some sort of special reverence to the way their fathers eat.
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This week, Congress threw the children of the United States under the school bus when they chose to reject the school lunch nutrition standards proposed by the Agriculture Department (USDA). By congressional mandate, the USDA had been tasked with bringing the National School Lunch (and School Breakfast) Programs into line the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Evaluations had shown that school meals were too high in total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium, and too low in fiber from whole grains and from fruits and vegetables. And because school meals are designed to make a substantial contribution to a child’s daily intake, the hope was that a revision would have a positive impact on childhood obesity.

To investigate the issue and make recommendations, the USDA contracted the scientists at the Institute of Medicine (IOM). The IOM measured school menus against childhood nutrition standards as well as the practicality of mass food service within cost restraints. In the end, they recommended these service changes to align the program with the Dietary Guidelines:

• Add more fruit at breakfast, including whole fruit
• Add greater amount and variety of vegetables at lunch
• Require both fruit and vegetables on every lunch menu
• Add more whole grain-rich foods and subtract refined grain foods
• Limit milk choices to fat-free (unflavored or flavored) and plain 1% fat
• Increase the emphasis on limiting saturated fat
• Encourage schools to cook with unsaturated oils within the calorie limits
• Minimized the use of foods that contain trans fat
• Using stepwise reductions, create a major reduction in sodium to be achieved fully by 2020

The USDA then put those recommendations into proposed rules* for meal planning:

• Limit starchy vegetables, like potatoes and corn, to 1 cup (two servings) per week
• Require schools to serve a dark green or bright orange vegetable at least once a week
• Increase the amount of tomato paste that counts as one vegetable from 2-ounces, the amount typically served on one slice of pizza, to a 4-ounce (half-cup) serving
• Make at least half of the grains served at meals ‘whole’ grains

How many recommendations did Congress take? None at all.
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Six-time “Mr. World Fitness,” Franco Carlotto is bringing his proven children’s fitness program, Fitness for Kids, to the United States. This program for elementary school aged children helps teach them healthy habits to combat the problem of childhood obesity. Fitness for Kids has been a success in Switzerland over the last five years and Carlotto is hoping for the same success here in the states.

The Kick-Off Event for Fitness for Kids took place at Tarzana Elementary in Los Angeles with boxing star Laila Ali and NFL player Curtis Conway acting as Ambassadors. Overall there are over 80 Ambassadors internationally. The Ambassadors range from Olympic medalists, actors, politicians and American sports icons.

The Fitness for Kids initiative aims to help American kids embrace respectful life attitudes, track daily activity and incorporate healthy nutrition into their lives. This program is a great way for kids and parents to work together towards the goal of getting kids to live healthier lives at a younger age.

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For years we’ve been hearing how “breast is best” for both mom and child. From improved immunity to a better bonding experience between mom and baby, breastfeeding has many benefits that make it worth pursuing. Additionally, breastfeeding provides opportunity for the earliest obesity prevention possible. In fact, breastfeeding has been shown to impact weight throughout an individual’s lifespan, making the decision whether or not to breastfeed even more important as we see childhood obesity rates continue to rise.

Yet, why exactly is breastfeeding so important in preventing childhood obesity? And are there certain guidelines parents need to follow to help their child avoid all of the complications and risks associated with having an increased weight? Tammy Gold, owner of Gold Parent Coaching, answered some of our toughest questions about breastfeeding and the role it plays in preventing childhood obesity.

According to Gold, breastfeeding for as long as possible and knowing when to introduce solid foods are both important strategies in promoting healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.

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There is a lot of talk about what we need to do about the obesity epidemic we are facing in the U.S… and that’s precisely the problem, according to Jane Black, a food writer for The Atlantic.

“To make real change, reformers need to stop preaching and start forming smart political alliances to get the job done,” says Black.

As she astutely points out, it’s not enough to be right. You can be right about every point on your food policy agenda, but if you don’t have practical and political solutions for achieving results, what good is it?

The problem isn’t unlike any other political battle in our country. You can have truth on your side all you want, but if you aren’t politically savvy with how you brand your messaging, good luck with winning those battles.
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