Combatting Obesity in the Business Community

-
Franco, E. L., & Shinder, G. A. (2013). Combatting obesity-a helping hand from the business community. Preventive medicine, 57(4), 251-252.

As rates of obesity and its associated comorbidities continue to rise in the United States, it is crucial that preventative measures be taken to combat this issue. An article from Preventative Medicine discusses the need for businesses to take an active role in obesity prevention. Many restaurants have already made changes, such as posting nutrition information on menus and offering more “healthy” options.  Other restaurants have resisted making nutrition information so easily accessible, in fear of losing revenue. Businesses have an opportunity to make healthy choices available and known to their customers, in turn empowering and motivating them toward a healthier lifestyle. Preventative Medicine discusses a food labeling strategy that was used in a Boston, Massachusetts’s hospital cafeteria, implementing traffic light labels to categorize menu items based on nutritional info. Customers were encouraged to choose the healthier green-labeled items and to choose the red labeled items less often. This simple strategy is something that could be recreated in other food service settings such as school cafeterias, vending machines, and even fast food restaurants. As dietitians, it is important that we push for the adoption of creative strategies like this, which empower our clients while simultaneously making a positive impact on the health of our nation.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do you struggle with pre and post exercise nutrition?

-
Image
What should i eat before and after a workout? First things first…carbohydrates, proteins and fats are important for the body before  and after exercise. Exercising muscle preferentially uses carbohydrates from stored glycogen, but fats are also an important fuel source for energy production during exercise. Fats and carbohydrates are the two major fuel sources during exercise. Fats must be translocated and broken down from their storage form before they are used. Typically there is enough carbohydrate stored as muscle glycogen for exercise but as muscle glycogen stores decline, the skeletal muscle will then use some amino acids (basic components of all protein). More specifically, the amino acid leucine is used for energy.              It is important to consume an adequate amount of carbohydrates exercise to delay fatigue and minimize gastrointestinal distress. It is also important to consume enough fluids to prev...
Read more

Child Malnutrition

-
New approach to childhood malnutrition may reduce relapses, deaths http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150211124024.htm               Moderate acute malnutrition is experienced by 35 million children worldwide. A new study led by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has suggested that feeding children until they have met target measures of arm circumference and weight may be more important than a set 12 week feeding time. However, researchers have found that the current targets, set by the World Health Organization (WHO) may not be sufficient and raising these targets slightly could significantly reduce the risk of relapse in malnourished children; a condition that has a 37% relapse rate. The study took place in rural Malawi and was comprised of 2,349 moderately malnourished children aged 6 months to 5 years old. Children were evaluated 12 months after treatment; 1,967 rec...
Read more

Harvest of the Month

-
Image
Harvest of the Month  August – Corn Good source of  fiber Carbohydrate source for energy Antioxidants Contains vitamins and minerals ½ cup or 1 ear = 80 calories   http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=90 September – Watermelon High in vitamin A and vitamin C Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory support 1 cup cubed = 46 calories http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=31 October – Apples High in fiber Vitamin C Abundant amount of antioxidants 1 medium = 95 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=15 November – Squash and Pumpkin High in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B2, B3 & B6 Many minerals  High in fiber Multiple antioxidant properties  1 cup = 76 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=63 Decembe...
Read more