Supermarket Access Key Factor in Obesity Programs

by Bidita Debnath on May 6, 2014 at 12:24 AM

Living close to a supermarket appears to be a key factor in the success of interventions to help obese children eat better and gain weight.

This is according to a study presented Saturday, May 3, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Urban neighborhoods and rural towns without access to fresh, healthy and affordable food are known as food deserts. Instead of supermarkets and grocery stores, food deserts sometimes have only fast-food restaurants and convenience stores.

Impact on Childhood Obesity can be Positive With Motivational Interviewing

A new study reveals that an obese child's weight is successfully reduced with the usage of motivational interviewing techniques to counsel families about their young child's weight.

Few studies have looked at whether living farther from a large supermarket affects the success of interventions to improve eating habits and reduce weight.

The authors of this study analyzed data from a randomized, controlled trial that took place in 14 pediatric practices in Massachusetts. The trial compared two interventions to help obese children ages 6-12 years old eat healthier foods and improve their weight. The first intervention included electronic decision support to help clinicians manage obese patients, while the second intervention included decision support and parent health coaching. There also was a control group that received usual care.

Anti-Appetite Molecule Released by Fiber may Help Tackle Obesity

A new research has helped understand a long-standing mystery about how dietary fibre supresses appetite.

Results showed that children in the intervention groups living closer to a supermarket were able to increase their fruit and vegetable intake more than those living farther away. Those living farther away from a supermarket in the intervention groups had a larger increase in body mass index as well.

Distance from a supermarket did not affect the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages consumed.

"As our nation strives to improve the health of our children, we must look to children's neighborhoods and provide easier, healthier choices for families," said lead author Lauren G. Fiechtner, MD, fellow in the Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition and Health Services at Boston Children's Hospital and research fellow in the Division of General Academic Pediatrics, MassGeneral Hospital for Children.

Source: Eurekalert

Obesity Causes an Increased Risk for Myeloma

Obesity increases the risk of myeloma, which is a cancer of plasma cells that accumulate inside the bones.

<< Most Infants Still Not Placed on Their Backs to Sleep: Stud...

Teens Using Substances at School Should be Screened for Exp... >>

Here are 3 Simple Ideas for Overcoming Childhood Obesity

Three simple family-oriented goals to overcome the complex problem of childhood obesity and related mental disorders have been offered by Kristopher Kaliebe.