RWJF News Digest - Childhood Obesity

New White House Chef Advises Policy-makers on Improving Child Nutrition

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

In addition to traditional cooking duties, new White House chef Sam Kass is supporting the charge toward child nutrition reform and obesity prevention, the New York Times reports.

Chicago Project Taps Teenagers to Produce Healthy Cafeteria Items

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Students at 14 Chicago-area high schools are participating in a project aiming to improve the nutritional content of the foods sold in their cafeterias, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Soft Drink Manufacturers Lobby against Soda Tax

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Soft drink manufacturers have been spending millions of dollars to lobby against a national excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, including soda, juice drinks and flavored milk, the Huffington Post reports.

Louisiana Schools Receive Awards for Nutrition, Fitness Programs

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

In an effort to curb soaring childhood obesity rates in the state, the Louisiana Department of Education is rewarding schools that implement programs aimed at improving nutrition and promoting physical activity in schools, the Times-Picayune reports.

NIH Awards Funding for Obesity Prevention, Treatment Research

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded more than $12 million to the Miriam Hospital’s Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center to support various obesity prevention and treatment projects, The Medical News reports.

U.S. Cities Make Efforts to Increase Availability of Nutritious Foods

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Several U.S. cities are participating in efforts aimed at improving the nutritional content of foods sold in convenience stores, the New York Times reports.

Chicago-Area Groups Partner to Launch Childhood Obesity Prevention Effort

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

A group of almost three dozen allies, including hospitals, school districts, charitable agencies and planners in a Chicago suburb, have joined to launch The Forward Coalition, an effort aimed at tackling childhood obesity, the Naperville Sun reports.

Minnesota Legislature Awards Funding to Create Healthier Environments

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Bloomington Public Health in Minnesota has received a $1.6 million appropriation from the state legislature to support efforts to promote healthier environments, the MN Sun reports.

Study Suggests Letting Children Sleep Late Can Curb Overweight, Obesity

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A study published in the November issue of Pediatrics suggests that allowing children to sleep late on weekends and holidays can help curb obesity and overweight, HealthDay reports.

Data Suggest Children Watch Entire Day's Worth of Television Each Week

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

New data from television monitoring group Nielsen suggest that each week children spend an average of an entire day watching television, representing an eight-year high for television viewing among children, the Los Angeles Times reports.

North Carolina School System Receives Funding for Physical Education Programs

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Carol M. White Physical Education Program has awarded $1.4 million to the Rowan-Salisbury School System in North Carolina, the Salisbury Post reports.

Report Shows Least Nutritious Cereals Are Heavily Marketed to Children

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A new study by researchers at Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity suggests that the least healthy cereals are most aggressively marketed to children, Time magazine reports.

Report Suggests New York City Menu Labeling Law is Effective at Promoting Health Changes

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has released data suggesting that a citywide menu-labeling law has helped residents make healthier food choices, Reuters reports.

Children's Museums to Launch Childhood Obesity Prevention Programming

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Children's museums in New York City and New Orleans are planning to launch programs aimed at addressing childhood obesity in high-need neighborhoods, the Associated Press reports.

West Virginia Makes Efforts to Improve Nutrition Standards for Day Care Centers

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

West Virginia school officials are poised to launch a program aimed at strengthening nutrition standards for the state's day care facilities, the Charlestown Daily Mail reports.

Tennessee Schools Making Efforts to Prevent Childhood Obesity

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Tennessee is using student body mass index (BMI) data to evaluate current efforts to address childhood obesity and better target future interventions, the Daily News Journal reports.

North Carolina University Receives Funding to Develop Institute to Address Childhood Obesity

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Lenoir-Rhyne University (LRU) in Hickory, N.C., has received a $3 million gift from Gungor and Diana Solmaz of Denver, N.C., to establish an endowment for the Solmaz Institute for Obesity, which will provide post-graduate training and hands-on experience in dietetics, counseling and fitness, the Hickory Daily Record reports.

HealthierUS School Challenge to Expand to Middle, High Schools

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Obama administration has announced plans to expand the HealthierUS School Challenge to include middle and high schools, the McPherson Sentinel reports.

FDA Launches Investigation into Food Packaging Nutrition Claims

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced it will launch an investigation into whether the nutrition claims posted on food packaging violate federal food labeling laws, Reuters reports.

West Virginia Launches Campaign to Improve School Nutrition

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The West Virginia Department of Education's Office of Child Nutrition has launched a statewide campaign aimed at improving the nutritional value of the foods served in schools, WHSV reports.

IOM Issues Recommendations to Improve Nutritional Quality of Federal School Meal Program

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A new report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) calls for updating federal standards to limit the calories in meals served in U.S. schools, as well as offer more fruits and vegetables, and whole grain food items, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Minnesota City Residents Gain Longevity as a Result of Diet, Exercise Changes

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A 10-month-old effort to improve the dietary, exercise and lifestyle habits among residents of Albert Lea, Minn., has resulted in participating individuals gaining an average of 3.1 years of longevity, the Associated Press reports.

Oregon Launches Statewide Campaign to Counter Junk Food Advertising

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Nutrition Council of Oregon—a coalition of nutrition professionals representing public health, academic settings, nutrition and food programs and nonprofit organizations—has launched a statewide campaign aimed at countering junk food advertising, the Associated Press reports.

Pennsylvania Insurer, Departments of Health, Education Provide Funding for Childhood Obesity Prevention Efforts

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania and the state Departments of Health and Education have joined together to provide schools with grants to support efforts to reduce childhood obesity, the Pocono Record reports.

Study Suggests Neighborhood Can Impact Diabetes Risk

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A study published in a recent issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that living in a neighborhood with ample access to fresh fruits, vegetables and other low-fat foods, and opportunities for exercise can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, MedPage Today reports.

First Lady Calls for Small Changes to Reduce Childhood Obesity

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In a recent address to employees at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), First Lady Michelle Obama urged parents to make small changes to improve their children’s health and reduce the risk of obesity, Chicago Breaking News reports.

Study Finds Convenience Stores a Significant Source of Calories for Philadelphia School Children

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A study of Philadelphia schoolchildren published in Pediatrics finds that children who shop at convenience stores before or after school purchased an average of 360 calories worth of foods and beverages during each visit, MedPage Today reports.

New Florida Nonprofit Promotes Vegetable Gardens

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Florida’s Vero Beach is home to a new nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching children and their families about vegetable gardens and how they can be used to promote wellness, the TC Palm reports.

Los Angeles Officials Call for Limit on New Convenience Stores in Region

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Spurred by results from a recent Health Affairs study suggesting that foods sold in convenience stores contribute to higher rates of obesity among residents in “poor communities,” city health officials are considering a plan that would prohibit the establishment of any new convenience stories in South Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Connecticut Attorney General Begins Investigation of Nutritional Labeling Campaign

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Connecticut attorney general is beginning an investigation into a national labeling campaign that promotes certain foods as nutritional choices, according to the New York Times.

USDA Kicks Off National School Lunch Week

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

As part of National School Lunch Week, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack recently traveled to select schools nationwide that have made efforts “to improve school nutrition, combat childhood obesity, and encourage healthy lifestyles” under the department’s Healthier US School Challenge, according to a USDA news release.

Mississippi City Mayor Ushers in Obesity Prevention Efforts

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Chip Johnson, mayor of Hernando, Miss., spoke recently at the 2009 Southern Obesity Conference regarding his city’s efforts to reduce obesity, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.

U.S. House Approves Spending Bill for Nutrition Programs

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that would provide $82.8 billion for several federal nutrition programs, Reuters reports.

AAFP, Coca-Cola Partner on Beverage, Sweetener Public Education Campaign

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has announced a corporate partnership with The Coca-Cola Co., under which the two will seek to educate the public about the role that consumer products play in a healthy lifestyle, the Kansas City Business Journal reports.

More Than 3,000 Schools Participate in International Walk to School Day

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Students at schools nationwide and internationally participated in the annual International Walk to School Day on October 7, the Bangor Daily News reports.

Study Suggests Year-Long Ban on Fast Food in Los Angeles Falls Flat

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A study published in a recent issue of Health Affairs suggests that the year-long ordinance to restrict the construction of stand-alone fast food restaurants in South Los Angeles has done little to curb obesity rates, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Groups Launch New Foundation Devoted to Reducing Obesity Rates

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A coalition of more than 40 retailers, food and beverage manufacturers and nongovernmental organizations teamed up to launch the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation (HWCF), which aims to reduce obesity rates by 2015, particularly among children, the El Dorado Times reports.

Study Suggests New York City Calorie Labeling Has Not Yet Produced Substantive Changes

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A study published Tuesday in Health Affairs suggests that a law requiring New York City restaurant chains to post calorie information has not resulted in an overall decrease in the amount of calories purchased among lower-income city residents, Reuters reports.

N.J. Governor Launches Nutrition and Fitness Challenge for Students

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) recently announced the launch of a statewide campaign aimed at educating children about the importance of consuming nutritious food and getting regular physical activity, the New Jersey Newsroom reports.

CDC Study Suggests Schools are Limiting the Sale of Junk and Soda

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A study published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that U.S. schools are decreasing the sale of unhealthy foods and beverages, United Press International reports.

Indiana School District Receives Grant for Childhood Obesity Prevention Efforts

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC) in Indiana has received a three-year, $1 million grant to support school-based childhood obesity prevention efforts, WFIE 14 reports.

Minnesota Lawmaker Calls for Legislative Action to Reduce Childhood Obesity

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Speaking at a recent hearing on children's issues, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D), chair of the Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Children's Health, called on Congress to support legislative efforts aimed at addressing childhood obesity, the Minnesota Post reports.

JMU Receives Grant to Design Nutrition Web Site

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Va., has received a three-year, $3.4 million grant from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to design and produce content for an interactive Web site featuring nutritional information for children and their families, the Staunton News Leader reports.

CDC Report Finds Americans Fall Short on Fruit, Vegetable Consumption

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A new state-by-state report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that the majority of Americans fail to consume the recommend amount of fruits and vegetables, HealthDay News reports.

NFL Network Program Promotes Physical Education Class in Schools

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Several professional football players from the Baltimore Ravens recently visited a Maryland middle school to encourage students to exercise more as part of the NFL's Keep Gym in School initiative, the Baltimore Sun reports.

As Federal Child Nutrition Programs Undergo Reauthorization, Groups Help Schools Provide Healthy, Affordable Lunches

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

At the same time that Congress and the president offer proposals to improve child nutrition programs, Oakland, Calif.-based Revolution Foods is seeking to improve school lunches, offering schools the opportunity to provide students with healthy foods at an affordable price.

New York City Schools Aim to Improve Quality of School Cafeteria Food

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In an effort to improve the nutritional quality of the meals they offer, several New York City schools are serving fewer processed food items and have begun cooking with fresh food, the New York Times reports.

Nickelodeon Goes Dark for Sixth Annual Worldwide Day of Play

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

To promote the sixth annual World Wide Day of Play, all Nickelodeon television channels and Web sites will shut down for three hours on September 26, First Coast News reports.

Ochsner Health System Partners with Louisiana Grocery Chain to Promote Wellness

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Louisiana-based Ochsner Health System has collaborated with a local grocery chain on an initiative aimed at promoting health and wellness education, Health Leaders reports.

Aetna, Georgia Public Broadcasting Launch Childhood Obesity Prevention Campaign

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Aetna has partnered with Georgia Public Broadcasting to launch a yearlong campaign aimed at raising awareness about childhood obesity, the Hartford Business Journal reports.

Switch Program Improves Child Healthy Behaviors, Study Suggests

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A study published in BMC Medicine suggests that the Switch program promotes improved eating habits among children and encourages them to engage in less television and computer screen time, United Press International reports.

New York City Plan Seeks to Add More Full-Service Grocery Stores

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The New York City Planning Commission has unanimously approved a proposal to provide zoning and tax incentives to full-service grocery stores that establish outlets in locations throughout the city known as food deserts, the New York Times reports.

Schools in Chicago Participate in Farm-to-School Program

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Schools in several Chicago neighborhoods are participating in a new program aimed at cultivating nutritional awareness among students, Extra News reports.

HealthPartners Research Foundation Receives $7.3 Million in Grants for Childhood Obesity, Hypertension Studies

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The HealthPartners Research Foundation has received three grants totaling $7.3 million to study obesity and hypertension in children, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports.

Food Manufacturers Issue Guidance for School-Based Advertising of Junk Food

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative, an industry-funded self-regulatory group, has recently issued a fact sheet of principles to guide companies in their advertising efforts to schools, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) Newsroom reports.

Study Suggests Color-Coded Pediatric Patient Charts Enhance BMI Understanding

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A study published in the September/October issue of Academic Pediatrics suggests that color coding pediatric patient charts may help improve parental understanding of body mass index (BMI), HealthDay News reports.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Launches Child Wellness Center

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center has established a new center dedicated to treating childhood obesity and its related conditions, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

San Francisco Mayor Proposes Measure to Charge Soda Retailers

webmail@rwjf.org — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is planning to introduce legislation that would assess a surcharge to retailers that sell soda and sugar-sweetened beverages in an effort to help reduce obesity and diabetes among city residents, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

St. Louis-Area Schools Plant Fruit and Vegetable Gardens

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Several schools in the St. Louis metropolitan area have been planting fruit and vegetable gardens to teach children healthy eating habits at a young age and expand access to fresh produce, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Study Links Soda Consumption, Obesity

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A recently released study of more than 40,000 California residents directly links consumption of soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages with obesity, the Ventura County Star reports.

Audit Reveals New York School Districts Still Selling Junk Food to Students

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

An audit commissioned by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli finds that some school districts throughout the state continue to provide students ample access to junk food, which undermines efforts to improve school nutrition in the state, Long Island Newsday reports.

Report Suggests Soda Tax Could Curb Obesity, Generate Revenue for States

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

An article published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that a penny per-ounce tax on soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages could help curb obesity and its related health problems, as well as generate revenue to cover increasing health care costs, Bloomberg reports.

University of North Alabama to Host Childhood Obesity Prevention Pilot

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The University of North Alabama (UNA) is piloting a childhood obesity prevention program, WAFF 48 News reports.

GAO Calls for CMS to Cover Obesity-Related Services for Children, Adults

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) suggests that the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) should expedite efforts to provide coverage guidance for obesity-related services for adult and child Medicaid beneficiaries, AHA News Now reports.

HHS, Ad Council Partner with Warner Bros. to Launch Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Public Service Announcements

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Ad Council have joined with Warner Bros. Pictures to launch a series of public service announcements (PSAs) that feature characters and scenes from the upcoming “Where the Wild Things Are” movie encouraging children and families to lead healthy lives, Advertising Age reports.

Sunflower Farmers' Market Offers Childhood Obesity Back-to-School Events

webmail@rwjf.org — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Sunflower Farmers’ Market will host a series of fun and healthy back-to-school events for children and families at its 26 stores across five states during the month of September, Natural Products Marketplace reports.

Study Suggests Sons of Immigrants at High Risk for Overweight, Obesity

webmail@rwjf.org — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A report funded by the Foundation for Child Development suggests that the sons of immigrants to the United States are at a higher risk of obesity than their non-immigrant peers, the Washington Post reports.

Boston Schools Add Structured Physical Activity to Recess

webmail@rwjf.org — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Several Boston-area schools are experimenting with strategies aimed at boosting physical activity during recess, the Boston Globe reports.

Study Suggests Physician Counseling Does Not Curb Child Overweight, Obesity

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A study published online in the British Medical Journal suggests that counseling from a primary care physician (PCP) does not aid in weight loss among overweight children or improve their physical activity levels, MedPage Today reports.

South Carolina Schools to Participate in Subway Challenge

webmail@rwjf.org — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Jared Fogle, spokesperson for the Subway restaurant chain, has launched an effort aimed at reducing childhood obesity in South Carolina, WBTW News 13 reports.