January, 2004
A new crop of not-so-new nutrition news kicked off the year
2004: Skipping breakfast is bad for you. Three servings of
dairy a day will make kids healthy. The mothers of the world
are unimpressed by the federally funded wisdom.
But perhaps the studies are run by mothers.
In either case, you can nutritionally ring in the new year
with new health tips.
- The American Dairy Association recommends three servings
a day of dairy, milk, yogurt and cheese, for starters, to
give kids "calcium along with eight additional nutrients,
including potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins D, A,
B12, riboflavin and niacin (niacin equivalents) to help
keep bones strong and bodies fit." So says www.3aday.com,
the informational Web site put together by the American
Dairy Association/National Dairy Council, "with the
monetary support of the dairy industry"--moo!--"and
the professional support of the American Academy of Family
Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dietetic
Association and the National Medical Association."
Dairy is a great part of your diet, but only when balanced
with your five-a-day fruits and vegetables and with protein.
Don't go overboard on the yogurt, milk and cheese, especially
at breakfast. Which brings us to dentists.
- The American Dental Association finds that caries, or
tooth decay, was more likely in children ages two to five
who did not eat breakfast regularly. In a total surprise,
children who didn't live in poverty and didn't eat their
morning oatmeal were more likely to experience tooth decay,
as opposed to the accepted wisdom that poverty and tooth
decay go hand in hand.
"Poverty may be the more important cofactor in indicating
caries risk, but healthful eating practices are an important
factor in the overall, complex process that leads to caries
experience in young children," concluded the authors.
In other words, Mom says that no matter what your background,
you still have to brush your teeth and eat a healthy breakfast.
- Duke University researchers say that even thirty minutes
walking, and not from the television to the refrigerator,
slows weight gain.
So, for the next time you're watching "Friends,"
Mom says, "Turn off that TV and go outside and play."
Or if you can't miss "Friends," do yoga while
you get in touch with your inner Rachel.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends schools
ban those financially rewarding soda machines in order to
stop childhood obesity.
Mom says, "Roll up your sleeves and let's wash cars
or have bake sales to raise money for education."
- A Rand Corporation study argues that if you can't get
up off the couch because of obesity, later in life you won't
be able to get up because of a broken hip. Obesity now contributes
to disability as you age. To quote lead author of the study
Darius Lakdawalla today it's "very cheap to eat and
expensive to exercise."
Mom still says, "Go outside and play."
Moms of the world, unite, and get paid in hugs for your
ground-breaking time-honored wisdom.
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