The Center of Disease Control and Prevention states that over 90% of U.S. children eat too much sodium in their diets. Latino kids are also in need of reducing high sodium foods as they are more likely to be obese and have cardiovascular disease, studies show. The American Heart Association also shows that many Americans do not know how much sodium they eat daily, but are interested in reducing their sodium consumption. Overall, Adults, children and teens are eating too many salty or high sodium foods, so what can be done? The United States Department of Agriculture updated nutrition standards for foods sold in schools that will reduce sodium up to 50% by 2022 and has provided free tools for schools looking to work towards these goals. The same CDC study also shows that if ...
What is the recommended daily intake of sugar? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now asking consumers, just how much sugar are you eating and drinking daily? Although nutrition facts and labels show consumers how many grams of sugars are in food items or drinks, these labels are still confusing for many Americans. Statistics show obesity being a huge factor for many Americans, (34.9% overweight), and American Latinos (78% overweight), clear labeling on nutrition is a must for those looking for less sugary options. To help consumers understand nutrition labels, the FDA has just proposed that companies declare a percentage of daily sugar intake for all nutrition labeling. For instance, instead of showing 65 grams of sugars, the labeling would show a percentage of daily ...
Doctors know that fresh vegetables are better for patients, so why not serve patients what the doctor recommends? St. Luke's Hospital has been doing just that since 2014 when they changed the way Hospitals provide for their patients by incorporating an organic farm within their hospital development plan. Going the extra mile St. Luke's is actually serving their patients the diet they recommend, fresh organics foods. What does a farm hospital look like? How about land on the hospital campus with rows of fresh spinach to make salads for their patients, and delicious organic sweet potatoes? The hospital works with the Rodale Institute to keep the organic farm in motion while harvesting over 44,000 pounds of food for patients, employees and visitors over six network hospitals ...
Painting a new picture of healthy living, 20 students from Laura W. Waring Elementary Schools reflected on designs for murals that would be captured on bikes displayed across the Philadelphia city. Obesity was reported to have a disproportionally affect on Latinos in Philly as a recent article, showed that 50.1% of Latino children ages 6-17 were overweight or obese in 2011, compared to 30.7% non-Hispanic whites. However, also mentioned was that Latinos in Philly are very involved in the music and art scenes. Bike share is something new in the city and the riding mural initiative is one way the city is trying to get people more excited about biking. Encouraging students to think about a healthier active lifestyle, teacher Sarah Folger and lead artist Candy Coated asked students ...
How would a city kid know how to milk a goat? Or grow fresh spinach? Steve’s Camp at Horizon Farms in New York just might be the answer. This fresh farm idea for high school teens allow them to jump right into farm life for a unforgettable hands-on experience about living a self-sustainable life. Students learn the camp’s core tenets of how to have a healthy body, healthy heart and a healthy mind. Many Latino teens live in urban areas within New York that have barriers to living healthy, including food deserts and little access to open green space. Also, Latino teens are less likely to eat fruits and vegetables and more likely to have diabetes than their non-white peers. Camp youth learn self-sufficient skills on how to implement healthier cooking at home with cooking ...
Illinois is home to an overweight population of 62.2 percent, where 31.1 percent of the population is drinking 1 sugary beverage a day, according to a recent CDC study. Another study from childhealthdata.org also shows that 40.1% of Latino children are obese in Illinois.
In hopes to prevent ongoing obesity and childhood obesity, a new bill in review will give 98 percent of funds taxed on sugary beverages, to the Illinois Wellness Fund. Funds will then be allocated to support obesity prevention and support Medicaid beneficiaries. The bill, known as the Healthy Living Active Living (HEAL) Act, and will ensure that sugary beverage distributors be taxed at the rate of $0.01 per ounce of bottled sugar-sweetened beverages sold or offered for sale. Recent polls show support of ...
What does green your school mean? Healthy Schools Campaign offers a resource guide to getting your food schools program clean and green. They have outlined five ways to reduce the environmental impact of school lunches. Some of these strategies can be applied to the home as well. Get started: Establish who's in charge and confirm that health regulations are being followed
Use green cleaning products: look for a 3rd party seal
Green equipment and supplies: code supplies to reduce waste and purchase more efficient kitchen tools
Adopt green cleaning procedures: ensure that supplies are being properly cleaned and disposed of
Share the responsibility: get students involved, consider starting waste free lunches Green lunchrooms can be healthier lunchrooms - this is especially ...
A warning sign may be on the next soda or sugary beverage you see in New York. Why? A new assembly bill, 2320b, will warn consumers about sugar in their beverages. With the "Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Safety Warning Act", sodas and any beverages that contain sugar, syrup, or any other type of sugary substance will have warning labels about diabetes, cardio-vascular disease or obesity. Sugary beverage consumption is well known for it's link to obesity and diabetes, as research shows and Latinos are more likely to be diabetic and obese, and drink sugary beverages. Having warning labels for multi-cultural audiences, may help lower consumption of sugary drinks in Latino families. The bill is currently in recess, and may be likely taken up by state senate in 2016, to ...
What are you doing to help the health of a child in your life?
Good4Growth, with the Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics and the Cardinal Health Foundation, is supporting children's health by asking those who know a child in their life, to connect with them and build a healthier future for that child. The 7-day connect challenge, asks an adult to connect with kids and create a caring environment with healthy food and creative play. How can you get involved? It's as easy as trying a new vegetable with the child, or going for a walk with them. Want to learn more on how to get involved? Click here to download the flyer or read the full article on how to ...
