childhood obesity

Feds relax nutritional standards for school lunches

USDA accused of putting special interests back on the menu

May 2, 2017

The USDA’s decision to “relax” guidelines for healthier school lunches established under an initiative by Former First Lady Michelle Obama is getting sharp criticism from public health experts and policy makers.

Study: Children with asthma more likely to become obese

February 2, 2017

New USC research finds that children with asthma are 51 percent more likely to become obese over the next decade compared to kids who did not have respiratory condition. The study, published on Jan. 20 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, also indicated that children who used asthma inhalers when they had an attack were 43 percent less likely to become obese.

AHA: Sweetened drinks should be taxed by sugar content

December 15, 2016

The American Heart Association (AHA) says the evidence is clear: added sugars are a detriment to heart and brain health, sugary drinks are the top single source of added sugars in the American diet and children are consuming ten times the amount of sugary drinks recommended.

Do “McTeacher’s Nights” encourage childhood obesity?

May 27, 2016

A coalition of consumer advocacy groups wants McDonald’s to end McTeacher’s Nights, charging that the fundraising events use teachers as “marketing agents” to sell fattening food to children.

Report: Phys ed programs not keeping U.S. kids in shape

April 11, 2016

Students across the nation would benefit from strong state requirements for physical education. However, 2016 Shape of the Nation™, released today by SHAPE America - Society of Health and Physical Educators and Voices for Healthy Kids, an initiative of the American Heart Association and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, shows most states are dropping the ball on keeping kids active and fit and preparing them for a healthy future.

Berkeley, Cal. passes tax on soda, other sugary drinks

November 5, 2014

Berkeley, California became the first city in the nation to pass a tax on sugary drinks – part of an effort to combat obesity in the U.S., particularly among children. A similar effort failed in San Francisco.

Strange bedfellows?

Beverage makers, health alliance agree to reduce soda calories

Maureen Paraventi

September 24, 2014

In light of recent news stories showing a strong link between the consumption of sugary drinks and obesity, the collaboration announced this week between the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the American Beverage Association (ABA) may come as a surprise to some people.

Weekly news round-up

March 1, 2014

OSHA rulemaking, temp workers around the world and the high fall fatality rate of communications tower workers were among the top EHS-related stories this week on ISHN.com.

Obesity rate down in young children

“Scales are tipping” for U.S. kids aged 2-5

February 26, 2014

The obesity rate among American children aged 2 to 5 years dropped sharply from 2003-04 to 2011-12, from 14 percent to just over eight percent.

Weekly news round-up

Fatal falls, a mine safety rule moves forward, a Safety 2014 preview

January 25, 2014

Workers killed in separate facility incidents hours apart in Neb. and Oklahoma, Qs and As about OSHA’s proposed silica rule and and an airline flight mistake that could have been much worse were among this week’s top EHS-related stories as featured on ISHN.com.