Sweet or Salty? The Answer May Predict Weight Gain

Cookies or chips? Kids' choices may predict weight gain, study finds

This news story describes a study where researchers gave 200 hungry toddlers their choice of snacks such as cookies or potato chips and kept track of what each child ate. Then they found that kids who were more likely to eat sugary treats were also more likely to gain unhealthy weight by the age of three.

I'm not sure why that's the case, and it's not like salty snacks are always healthier, but maybe it's worth noticing. If you have little kids that love sweet flavors, steer them toward fresh fruit and berries instead of candy and sweets.

Smartphones, tablets and weight gain in teens study found obesity risk up 43 percent if kids used screen devices more than 5 hours a day

This news story from HealthDay News describes a study that finds teens who spend more than five hours a day on their smart phones and tablets were also more likely to drink sugary beverage and be less active. They were also almost twice as likely to be obese compared to kids who didn't use smart phones or tablets at all.

Serving water with school lunches could curb obesity, save billions

According to this University of Illinois press release, the researchers examined the results of a pilot program that was conducted in New York City between 2009 and 2013. Essentially, water dispensers were placed in school cafeterias. As a result, students' water intake tripled and there was a small risk of being overweight a year later.

Although it was just a small decrease in risk, adding inexpensive water dispensers in cafeterias could potentially save billions of dollars, say the authors.

Weight-based shaming, not BMI, may cause kids' distress

This news story from MedPage Today describes the study that included middle school participants. The researchers found that discrimination from peers in seventh grade was a strong predictor of body dissatisfaction in 8th grade, even more than body mass indices. The study authors say this could lead to body dissatisfaction, social anxiety and loneliness.

Parents can play key role in setting healthy habits for kids

This story from HealthDay describes a Canadian research study that found parents who were more active and ate more fruits and vegetables were more likely to have kids who did the same.

I don't think this is a surprise at all. I do think it's a good reminder that our kids look up to us and, by extension, I bet they pay attention to what teachers and school staff members do too – so eat healthy and get moving.