Childhood obesity linked to habits, not heredity: U-M study

[snooper2]

(Add this to the list of "no shit sherlock" studies)


Childhood obesity linked to habits, not heredity: U-M study

University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center study shows obese children eat more school meals, watch more TV, exercise less than normal weight peers

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Are some children genetically tuned to be overweight, or is lifestyle to blame for childhood obesity?

Check-ups of 1,003 Michigan sixth-graders in a school-based health program showed children who are obese were more likely to consume school lunch instead of a packed lunch from home and spend two hours a day watching TV or playing a video game.

The results were compiled by the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center and suggests unhealthy habits are feeding the childhood obesity trend.

“For the extremely overweight child, genetic screening may be a consideration,” says study senior author Kim A. Eagle, M.D., a cardiologist and a director of the U-M Cardiovascular Center. “For the rest, increasing physical activity, reducing recreational screen time and improving the nutritional value of school lunches offers great promise to begin a reversal of current childhood obesity trends.”

more-
http://www2.med.umich.edu/prmc/media/newsroom/details.cfm?ID=1913

[TBF]

1. It's all in the diet and exercise -

I'm one of the millions who decided to try to lose weight this year, and I'm actually accomplishing it. But not by accident - you have to work to cut sugar out of your diet and focus on fruits, vegetables, lean sources of protein, and whole grain. And it ain't cheap either.

I encourage my kids to play outside, and live in an area where I can do it safely. I have a lot of empathy for folks who can't afford the right foods and safe areas to live in (or have two spouses working so the kids are in childcare during the areas that are light outside and rely on processed foods). It's sad that profit comes before people at all turns in this country - even when it comes to our children eating right and getting exercise.

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. I disagree now..... where is my xbox controller and doritos son?

We need to get back to the game before mom makes dinner.

[surrealAmerican]

3. The findings are not surprising ...

... but it has me wondering whether there is a noticeable difference in calories between an average school lunch and an average packed lunch from home. I've seen good and bad versions of both.

[Dappleganger]

4. Both our boys have been challenged by weight issues over the years.

The oldest one is 17 now and a senior in high school, but his weight problem began in 7th grade when he quit PW football since he never could make the weight at games. Both our boys are quite tall for their age (their father is 6'5"). That son has since gone up and down a few times, but it really began to stay off when he began working out at school (weight lifting class). He also does cardio on his own (running/walking/sprints). Now he weighs far less than he did in 8th grade, is much taller and is clothes are smaller--it's really amazing the body transformation. He does eat a huge caesar salad at lunch in the school cafeteria which he swears helps to keep him on track. The best part is that he did it on his own w/out our insistence.

The younger son is 13 and just hit 6' this past summer (just had his b-day, too). He is probably going to be even taller than his brother, lol. Our pediatrician advised him to just keep his same weight for one year--don't go on a diet, but add more activity. He's doing it too and it's fun to watch him progress. His clothes are getting baggier and he's proud of himself and the fact that he doesn't feel he's dieting, just making some small (yet significant) lifestyle choices.

[snooper2]

5. One thing it is, diet does cost more, about 25%

Our daughter is 15 months and since 10 months has been eating everything (except peanuts :) )

My wife and I for the most part cook from scratch every night (I'm eating leftover pork ribs right now for lunch)
. We'll do stove top once in a while but always mashed potatoes from scratch (cheaper there),. Of course it take more work, more time, and more cleanup. But it is so much better for her.

Eggs every morning with fresh fruit- and the fruit is what gets ya. 8$ a week just in strawberries. Her nanners are cheap, kiwi pretty cheap. But it does add up.

I see kids in the store 2-3-4 years old and just get sad seeing them overweight already.

Those frozen kids meals are just a $1.99 though.

We sacrafice spending money on other things and make the diet one of the top priorities...