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Daily News Roundup

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Goody Blog Daily News RoundupGene Tests Label Kids Sports Stars
Scientists have identified several genes that may play a role in determining strength, speed and other aspects of athletic performance.  Marketers have begun to sell genetic tests based on these findings online for up to $200. Some customers say the test results help them steer their children to appropriate sports. But skeptical doctors and ethicists say the tests are putting profit before science. [MSNBC]
 
Mom Guilt: 94 Percent of Us Have It.  Can We Ditch It for a Week?
BabyCenter declared last week “Guilt-Free Parenting Week. Guilt is the source of a campaign at Baby Center, which reports that 94 percent of moms surveyed feel parenting-related guilt. The challenge: live your life for a week with guilt-free parenting. [Today Moms]
 
Hot-to-Trot Ponies?  Dolls That Wax?  Toys Get Tarted Up
Toy manufacturers began following the marketing strategy “Kids Getting Older Younger” when they realized that toys marketed towards kids between the ages of 8 and 12 were attracting kids who were in the 3-year-old to 8-year-old age range because they wanted to emulate their older brothers and sisters. [Today Parenting]
 
Anesthesia For Kids Necessary, But Cognitive Danger?
An estimated 4 million children receive anesthesia every year, but little is known about their effects on the developing brain. A growing body of data from studies in animals suggests that these drugs could adversely affect neurologic, cognitive, and social development of neonates and young children. [Medical News Today]

Mexico Puts Its Children on a Diet
By all measures, and the obesity starts early. One in three children is overweight or obese, according to the government. So the nation’s health and education officials stepped in last year to limit what schools could sell at recess. [The New York Times]

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School Lunches Reducing Carbs and Calories

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

Starting this year, national school breakfasts and lunches will become healthier and offer more nutritious options such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.   Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed a proposed new rule that will ban trans fat, reduce saturated fat, and provide guidelines on how to limit and reduce calorie intake. 

This new rule is part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that President Obama signed in December 2010.  By offering low-fat milk and cutting back the availabilty of french fries and pizza, the federal government hopes to reduce obesity, blood pressure, and diabetes in children.  Starting with school meals, vending machine options in schools will also be improved in the future.

Read more about the proposed rule:

Healthy food ideas from Parents.com:

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Watch: Elmo Visits the White House Kitchen

Tuesday, January 4th, 2011

Elmo loves fruits, so your child should, too!  Following President Obama’s signing of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act last month, Elmo visited White House chef Sam Kass to talk about the importance of eating nutritious and healthy foods.  Watch an adorable video of the Sesame Street character in the White House kitchen:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jpT8iQESmM

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President Obama Signs the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

Instead of cheese pizza, hot dogs, and tater tots on the school lunch menu, students may be offered healthier meal options such as whole wheat spaghetti, chef salad, and cantaloupe wedges.

In an effort to reduce childhood hunger and obesity, President Obama just signed a $4.5 billion bill called the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.  Under the new law, more public school kids (an estimated 16 million) will have access to food, especially nutritious food options, through school lunches and vending machines. Water will also also be available for free during meals. 

In addition, foster children will now be provided with free meals and schools will be reimbursed more for meeting nutritional standards, a reimbursement that will help schools in low-income, high-poverty districts.  Plus, government funds will be provided to schools for programs that will educate kids on fitness and dietary guidelines and how to form healthy habits.  Even breastfeeding moms will benefit from the new bill–the government will provide more funds to state agencies that can demonstrate an increase in breastfeeding.

While funding for the bill spans over a 10-year period, the effort to make sure every child in America stays healthy and well-fed will be an ongoing effort.

Read more about the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act:

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