Exploring Nutrition News Winter 2010

• Fuel Up to Play 60 Highlighted at Newsweek Executive Forum on Childhood Obesity
• USDA Joins National Dairy Council® and NFL to Improve Health and Wellness in Schools
• Fuel Up to Play 60 Delivers on First Lady's Platform to Combat Childhood Obesity
• Low Intake of Nutrient-Rich Foods May Contribute to Obesity
• Everyday Choices Early on Can Matter in Tackling Childhood Obesity

Fuel Up to Play 60 Highlighted at Newsweek Executive Forum on Childhood Obesity
On March 16, Newsweek hosted an Executive Forum, "Childhood Obesity: Challenges and Ways to Promote Health and Wellness in America's Communities," in Washington, DC. The forum brought together leading national stakeholders in the childhood obesity issue, from across the private and public sectors. Fuel Up to Play 60, the school wellness program provided by National Dairy Council® and the National Football League, was highlighted as a program that involves kids directly in improving nutrition and physical activity in their schools. View a video clip from the forum at www.FuelUptoPlay60.com.

USDA Joins National Dairy Council and NFL to Improve Health and Wellness in Schools
In January, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) joined the campaign to fight and defeat childhood obesity in cooperation with the NFL, National Dairy Council®, multiple health organizations and several major corporations. The campaign, Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP 60), is funded with an initial private sector financial commitment of $250 million over five years by America's Dairy Farmers. FUTP 60 unites government, health professionals, industry and educators in the effort to improve nutrient-rich food choices and achieve 60 minutes of daily physical activity among children. More than 58,000, or 60 percent, of the nation's 96,000 private and public schools are currently enrolled in FUTP 60.

Learn more.

Fuel Up to Play 60 Delivers on First Lady's Platform to Combat Childhood Obesity
Fuel Up to Play 60 is joining the First Lady Michelle Obama's call to improve the health of our next generation. The program, which shares the ambitious and attainable goal outlined in the First Lady's childhood obesity platform, recognizes that many of today's children are overweight and undernourished. It encourages the availability and consumption of nutrient-rich foods, particularly low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains, along with 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Small steps help students develop lifelong healthy habits. Already impacting over 59,000 schools nationwide, Fuel Up to Play 60 is expanding to reach 90,000+ schools by the end of next school year. Click here for more information about Fuel Up to Play 60.

Low Intake of Nutrient-Rich Foods May Contribute to Obesity
A study published in Public Health Nutrition reinforces recent reports suggesting low intake of nutrient-rich foods - specifically low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains - can contribute to obesity among adolescents. The study suggests that higher intakes of dairy and grains, as well as combined intakes of fruits and vegetables, are associated with lower levels of central body fat, especially among teens. These findings are consistent with a report from the National Growth and Health Study, which found that adolescent white girls following a "healthy dietary pattern" - higher intakes of dairy, fruits, vegetables and grains - had smaller increases in waist circumference over 10 years.

Bradlee, ML, et al. Public Health Nutrition. Published online, Cambridge University Press; 2009.

Everyday Choices Early on Can Matter in Tackling Childhood Obesity
A recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that what 5-year-old girls drink can predict their weight for the remainder of childhood and into adolescence. Researchers at Pennsylvania State University found that that those who drank more sweetened beverages, such as soda and sports drinks, at age 5 were more likely to be overweight over the following 10 years. Additionally, consuming nutrient-rich beverages displaces sodas and sports drinks. Girls who drank more milk and 100% fruit juice drank fewer nutrient-empty, sweetened beverages. Dr. Leann Birch, one of the study's authors notes, "These findings show just how much everyday choices - like picking milk or fruit juice over soda - can matter, especially for children."

Fiorito LM, et al. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2009; (94)935-942.