The Brain,Obesity and Food - Part 4

The Brain, Obesity and Food- Part 4 continued from last week.

  Don’t forget the children and their problem with obesity as well. These statistics do not bode very well for our young .1. The average American child watches 2 to 3 hours of television viewing per day. 2. The American Academy of pediatrics (AAP) recommends no more than two hours of TV per day. 3. In the 1970s study, researchers found that, at age 5, approximately 40% exceeded the AAP guidelines. 4.  Every additional hour of weekend TV viewing by five year olds beyond the AAP 2 hour recommendations may cause a 7% increase in risk of obesity at age 30. 5. Kids do not have to engage in high levels of physical activities and sports to prevent obesity. 6.Teens and preteens involved in outside of school activities: clubs, bands, music lessons, part-time jobs, volunteer work, church activities and household chores are less likely to become overweight than those who don’t. 7. Parents who are themselves obese and have sedentary lifestyles need to be aware that their behavior is putting the kids at risk. 8. Children who purchase lunch at school are more likely to be overweight than those who brought their lunch from home. 9. Children who attended physical education classes 2 or more times per week are more likely to be normal weight. 10. Children who ate dinner with their families three more times per week were at a decreased risk for being overweight .11. Children who skipped breakfast were 50% more likely to be overweight than those who usually ate breakfast. 12. Teens who frequently ate fried foods away from home consumed more calories, more saturated and trans fats, sugar sweetened beverages, red and processed meats, and foods with higher glycemic loads. 13. Eating family dinners is associated with reduced risk for tobacco, alcohol, marijuana use and healthier diets.

Some statistics regarding breakfast and weight control: 1. Breakfast eaters tend to have lower BMI’s than breakfast skippers.2. Approximately 20% of US adults skip breakfast. 3. Approximately 24% of young American women skip breakfast. 4. Those that eat cereal/grains for breakfast and have lower BMI’s than breakfast skippers, or meat and egg eaters.5. Eating cereal or fiber rich whole grain breads for breakfast can help regulate body weight. Eating meat and eggs, skipping breakfast and/or eating on the run do not contribute to healthy weight management.

How do French women stay slim? 1. Only 7% of French adults are obese compared to 22% of Americans. Mortality from heart disease among French adults is also considerably lower. 2. Comparing restaurants in Paris and in Philadelphia the findings suggest that the mean   portion size across Parisian eateries was 277 g compared to a mean of 346 g in Philadelphia restaurants. 3. Chinese food restaurants in Philadelphia served meals that averaged 72% more food than those served in the Parisian counterparts.4. Comparing single serve food sold in supermarkets in both cities, 14/17 items were larger in the American stores. 5. Don’t forget the wine.  Resveratrol antioxidants found in high concentrations in grape skins shows an ability to reduce conversion of dietary fat to stored fat and an ability to mobilize fat stores.

To be continued

I have a slight groin” over use “going on so I started tapering earlier than usual for my 50 k on March 9. Tomorrow, Alpha and I are planning a trail run. Remember, keep moving.