Study Finds That Kids Can Be Taught

It is well documented that there are nine million six to sixteen year-olds in the country who are overweight in the United States. Studies show that hardening of the arteries, which is the leading cause of heart disease, often starts in childhood. Researchers estimates that snacks, desserts, and pizza make up one-third of American kids' diets and children who have trouble kicking the bad nutrition and minimal exercise habit, often grow into adults that are at risk for heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and many other health conditions. With this fact that childhood obesity on the rise, the federal government launched an all-out effort, complete with catch phrases and jingles, to teach kids to gag on junk food. Various arms of the government revealed programs that are designed to help children, and parents, to get motivated on their eating habits. One of those arms was The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). As part of $2.6 million initiative, they developed and entitled a program We Can!, an acronym for Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition. Designed to change the eating habits of children, they did a study. It suggested that something as simple as teaching kids about good eating habits may be all that it takes. That sounded easier said than done though. The study by NHLBI suggested that it is not necessarily true that kids will always choose junk foods as snacks, even though we know that children who have a choice between asparagus and potato chips probably will not choose the asparagus. Part of the WeCan! Program includes the creation of three categories for foods: Go Foods, Slow Foods and Whoa Foods.

The Go group includes heart-healthy foods that should be eaten every day because they are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. For example:

Various fresh vegetables: broccoli, peppers, carrots, tomatoes, etc.

Various fresh fruits: apples, oranges, bananas, berries, etc.

Oil & Vinegar

Whole grain bread

Whole grain cereal (unsweetened) (1 cup)

Fat free milk (1 cup)

Reduced fat or fat-free cheese (2 ounces cubed)

Baked potato with fat free sour cream

Extra lean hamburger (3 ounces cooked) on whole-wheat bun

Skinless chicken (3 ounces cooked)

Low fat microwave popcorn (3 cups)

Ginger snaps (80 to 100 calories worth)

Low fat frozen yogurt or ice cream (1/2 cup)

Fig bars (80 to 100 calories worth)

Water

Diet soda

Diet iced tea

The Slow group includes foods that should only be eaten a few times a week. For example:

Broccoli in a cream sauce

Dried fruit (1/4 cup)

Canned fruit in light syrup (1 serving)

French toast (2 slices made with whole grain bread)

Chicken with skin (3 ounces cooked)

Natural peanut butter (1 Tbsp) on whole-wheat crackers (4 or 5)

Nuts (2 tablespoons)

Sports drink (1 cup)

The Whoa group includes foods that should be eaten only at sporadically because they are high in fat and cholesterol. For example:

French fries

Canned fruit in heavy syrup

Doughnuts

Full fat cheese

Whole milk

One slice of pizza

Fried chicken

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