What's your Intention?

KFC recently started a new (sorry to be so blunt) stupid campaign. "Buy a HALF-GALLON of soda – with 800 calories from 56 spoonfuls of sugar – for $2.99 and a buck goes to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation."

How could they do such a thing? I am absolutely appalled by their hypocritical marketing.
 

"The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation defends it thus: "JDRF supports research for type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that results when the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, therefore requiring a child or adult with the disease to depend on insulin treatment for the rest of their lives. It is a common misconception that type 1 diabetes is caused by obesity or eating too much junk food or sweets."

FAIL

Now thats what I like to call, SELFISH GIVING.

-Farah

Israeli vs. Mc Donalds

Israeli man sues Mc Donalds for false nutritional claims and not revealing the proper amount of nutritional information.

"The McDonald's Israel franchise owner has settled a class-action motion against it, including through a pledge to fund a study on children's eating habits." 


"Aloniel, the company that owns the McDonald's franchise in Israel, will pay compensation to the lead plaintiff, pay his lawyer - and pay NIS 450,000 for a study on eating habits of children up to age 18. The study will be conducted at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa."

Read more about this here. 

-Farah 

Thrilled to hear someone is DOING something about Childhood Obesity

Students need guidance and need to be nurtured in an educational manner throughout all spheres of life. Nutrition education is not intrinsic, rather, it is an informative tool that can, with the right teachers and mentors, help children thrive. In the United States measures have been made for change but not on a grand scale. Surprisingly, officials in Mexico City seem to care more for the well being of their children.

The New York Times article explains that the nation’s health and education officials stepped in last year to limit what schools could sell at recess.

“We managed to do the most important things, which was to pull out the soft drinks and to get the composition of foods changed,” said Dr. José Angel Córdova, Mexico’s health minister. He estimates that one-third of Mexico’s health care spending goes to fight diseases related to obesity.

It seems to be working at her school. Verónica Cruz Hernández now sends her 6-year-old daughter, Fatima, to class with a packed lunch of a ham sandwich, sliced mango, cucumber sticks and water. No more soft drinks. “She doesn’t want to be fat like me,” Ms. Cruz said.
 

 
“Almost all of the girls eat fruit,” said Leticia García Gutíerrez, 11. Then she added: “Sometimes we eat candy. But that’s because we’re kids.”

Fruity Frenzy- Do you think you've tried them all?

Fruit is an integral food group that our bodies thrive on. A diet that consists of fruit and vegetables contributes to ones overall health. Within the past couple of years, I have researched the beneficial aspects of fruits and the benefits are surely fruitful!  They supply us with the special vitamins, minerals and fiber that protect us from chronic diseases. Behind each fruit lies a special collection of nutrients which means that no two fruits are alike in nutrients. SO, that means each individual fruit is jam packed with beneficial biologically active substances just for you!  I thought I've tried them all... guavas, apples, berries, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, to say the least. Boy was I wrong! There are thousands upon thousands of fruits and vegetables around the world. My co worker introduced me to a new fruit called kava kava, which is said to have double the Vitamin C and antioxidants of an orange. Kava Kava among thousands of unrecognized fruits are ready to be tasted. I know I am going to go an adventure trying exotic fruits while learning about their hidden medicinal effects.

Kava Kava

go ahead, enjoy natures disguised "candy."

Finally, Some Good News: Obama Signs Child Nutrition Bill

Once President Obama's pen signed the Nutrition Bill, I yelped pure joy! This is the single most thing I have looked forward to in the White House and I am thrilled about the progress that is going to be made. This bill has been in the works for some time! Finally, children all over the world are able to receive the proper balanced nutrition so they can thrive. First Lady, Michelle Obama has been working rigorously trying to bring awareness about this issue and now her hard work has prevailed. Prior to the Bill being passed Michelle Obama exclaimed, "We can all agree that in the wealthiest nation on earth all children should have the basic nutrition they need to learn and grow and to pursue their dreams," said Mrs. Obama. "Because in the end, nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our children. Nothing," 
Bravo. Bravo. 

Here's what AP has to say...

"The $4.5 billion measure increases the federal reimbursement for free school lunches by 6 cents a meal at a time when many school officials say they can't afford to provide the meals. The bill will also expand access to free lunch programs and allow 20 million additional after-school meals to be served annually in all 50 states. Most states now only provide money for after-school snacks."  

President Obama immediately after signing The Nutrition Bill 

To read more on this or to watch a video of The President go here. 
So what does this new law really entail? 
Here are some facts from the actual bill posted on the White House's website: 

• Improves Nutrition and Focuses on Reducing Childhood Obesity 
• Gives USDA the authority to set nutritional standards for all foods regularly sold in schools  during the school day, including vending machines, the “a la carte” lunch lines, and school stores. 
• Provides additional funding to schools that meet updated nutritional standards for federally- subsidized lunches.  This is an historic investment, the first real reimbursement rate increase in over 30 years. 
•  Helps communities establish local farm to school networks, create school gardens, and ensures that more local foods are used in the school setting. 
• Builds on USDA work to improve nutritional quality of commodity foods that schools receive from USDA and use in their breakfast and lunch programs. 
•  Expands access to drinking water in schools, particularly during meal times. 
•  Sets basic standards for school wellness policies including goals for nutrition promotion and 
• education and physical activity, while still permitting local flexibility to tailor the policies to their 
• particular needs. 
• Promotes nutrition and wellness in child care settings through the federally-subsidized Child and Adult Care Food Program. 
• Expands support for breastfeeding through the WIC program. 

Menu Template made for new lunch food

Now thats what I call "change" ...


FDS 

Where Nutrition Is Needed The Most....

Children, in my opinion, is the most important age group that needs to be targeted within the obesity craze. The statistics are absolutely staggering. The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 years increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. The prevalence of obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to 18.1%(CDC.) Many researchers even believe that at this rate children wont outlive their parents. Statistics on childhood obesity also indicate that over 70 percent of overweight adolescents will be overweight or obese as adults. 

Ok, this scares me. Actually, it really scares me! 

You might be thinking and asking yourselves all kinds of questions like, who is to blame? why haven't we done anything about it? When are people going to learn that unhealthy food is contributing to their ill-health? 

These are many questions that have been lingering around my head for years. Is there any chance that we can see change? We can never loose hope! 

Change can be determined by two important factors: education and environment. 

Education can be formed in the household and in school. Many do not have the proper education and training to raise their children and teach them the importance of healthy eating. 

On the other hand, the environment is another imminent factor. The government can contribute greatly in helping provide the necessary resources to prevent obesity from spreading. For example if a family lives in an unsafe environment that lacks proper lighting for walking in the night time, this family wont be able to go walking because their safety can be at risk. 

So, what is being done now... 

Well, there is a lot of contention on this issue going on in Washington. Lobbyists are trying to pass the child nutrition bill. Now that congress is back from their recess they have stacks and stacks of important bills to look over. Is child nutrition on top of the stack? Sadly, no. 

An article I read recently offered several reasons Why Congress Should Pass Child Nutrition Now. 

Read away! 

I will touch on this issue further, for it is something that I have a true passion for. Resolving this issue wont be an easy smooth process, but eradicating childhood obesity will take time, patience, and guts. 

Pass it on,

FDS