Childhood Obesity

The new definition of a child that is considered at risk of being overweight is where the BMI is over 85%. When a child exceeds 95% of the BMI, he or she is considered overweight. If the child has no medical complications, the range for gauging obesity starts at age 7. If the child is between ages 2 and 7, a weight loss plan should be initiated. The CDC uses growth charts to analyze if a child is overweight (Fowler-Brown, 2004). The use of these growth charts are promoted in schools, summer camps, and sports programs so that obesity is detected early in the childhood as a method for intervention.



This new definition is considered useful because the child has already established poor eating habits that have been the responsibility of the parent. It becomes very difficult to change eating habits unless it is initiated by the entire family. Early detection of poor eating habits will help to identify these problems and correct them.

Probiotic Enzymes

The consequences and health effects of childhood overweight exposes the child to type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. Sleep disorders are also an effect caused by obesity. The child is unable to breathe during sleep causing sleep apnea (Mayoclinic.com). These health problems affect the child’s ability to develop into a healthy adult. Depression and poor social skills may also lead to childhood obesity.



Prevention of childhood obesity lies in increasing exercise, calorie restriction, lifestyle exercise changes, and decrease in sedentary behavior (Fowler-Brown, 2004). Making lifestyle changes by eating less fatty foods and decreasing the length of time spent in front of the television will help to prevent childhood obesity.


Intervention of childhood obesity begins by recognizing those at risk earlier. Most schools and summer programs use BMI charts to identify those at risk. Prevention methods can begin right away. These interventions include removing snack machines out of the schools, making physical education a requirement, and providing nutritional choices for meal plans (Grodner, 2007). Integrating these changes in schools provide better outcomes in early intervention plans.

A specific application for the general approach to therapy is to provide a caloric-restriction approach. Calorie restriction can be monitored by parents by planning meals using mypyramid.gov (Fowler-Brown, 2004). Calories of foods eaten can be documented and monitored based on each food group. Balanced meals can be prepared so that better food choices are made in the future.

References:


Fowler-Brown, A., Kahwati, L (June 1, 2004). Prevention and Treatment of Overweight in Children and Adolescents . Retrieved on May 26, 2010 from http://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/0601/p2591.html
Mayo Clinic Staff (March 26, 2010) Childhood Obesity: Definition. Retrieved on May 27, 2010 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/childhood-obesity/DS00698
Grodner,M., Long,S., Walkingshaw, B., (2007). Foundations and Clinical Applications of Nutrition: A Nursing Approach (4th Edition). Mosby, Inc. St. Louis, Missouri, p. 272-273.

Recipe for Vegan Quiche

For all you Vegan's looking for a great recipe, try this one!  It's very tasty, and full of good stuff!  It is very simple to prepare as well!  If you are looking for a great meal to fill you up, try this one!



Vegan Quiche


1 onion

6 mushrooms

1 pepper

2 cloves garlic

1 tsp. cooking oil to fry the veggies

250 g shortcrust pastry

250 g plain or smoked tofu

1tsp. of soya milk

Salt and pepper, to taste

1/3 block of soy cheese

7 cherry tomatoes, halved

• Preheat the oven to about 400°F.

• Chop the vegetables and garlic finely and fry in the oil over low heat until soft. Roll out the pastry or press into a quiche dish with your fingers. Blind bake in the oven for 5 minutes.

• Chop the tofu roughly and blend, along with the soya milk, salt and pepper, into a smooth paste in the blender.

• Remove the veggies from the heat and the quiche dish from the oven. Pour the blended tofu into the pan with the veggies and stir. You will see liquid rising from the vegetables, diluting the tofu mixture. Grate the soya cheese into the mixture until it stiffens. Dollop the mixture into the pastry-lined quiche dish and garnish with the cherry tomatoes. Bake for about an hour or until brown on top (VegCooking.com). This recipe yields 4 servings at 246 calories per serving.

Entertainers and Weight Loss

Seems that everyone is talking about weight loss. Entertainers are also talking about how 50 Cent the rapper lost over 54lbs in less than nine weeks. When losing so much weight, you have to rely on vitamins to get your nutrients when on a liquid diet.


Read what Fat Joe thinks about 50 Cent's massive weight loss.
http://www.sohh.com/2010/06/fat_joe_on_50_cents_massive_weight_loss.html

Best Diet So Far!

I'm always looking at the nutritional value of fad diets that get the attention of dieters looking to lose 15 pounds in two days! Well, I haven't found any of those yet, however, The Three Day Diet is working very well for me! I am on my second cycle (three days on, two days off), and have lost at total of 8 pounds! I'm so excited because I haven't really tried as hard to stay on the diet, but it seemed to work!


Here it is: 3 Day Diet
Day 1
Breakfast
black coffee or tea,
1/2 grapefruit or juice,
1 slice of toast with a tsp. of peanut butter.
Lunch
1/2 cup of tuna
1 slice of toast
black coffee or tea
Dinner
3oz of lean meat
1 cup of green beans
1 cup of carrots
1 cup of vanilla ice cream
1 medium apple
1 cup of coffee or tea

Day 2
Breakfast
cup of black coffee or tea
1 egg
1 slice of toast
1 banana
Lunch
1 cup of tuna
5 saltine crackers
1 cup black coffee or tea
Dinner
2 hot dogs
1/2 cup of carrots
1 banana
1 cup of broccoli or cabbage
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
black coffee or tea

Day 3
Breakfast
1 cup of black coffee or tea
5 saltine crackers
1 oz slice of cheddar cheese
1 apple
Lunch
1 hard boiled egg
1 slice of toast
1 cup of black coffee or tea
Dinner
1 cup of tuna
1 cup of carrots
1 cup of cauliflower
1 cup of melon
1/2 cup of ice cream
1 cup of black coffee or tea




I have been very successful staying on track with this diet. I am not hungry, I am getting a sufficient amount of proteins, carbs, and veggies. The coffee helps to give energy during the day. If you are not a coffee drinker, try some Oolong tea, it's great! Try this diet...it will work for you!

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