Food and then Food

As a monitor for the United States Department of Agriculture's Child Care Food Program for ten years, I saw first hand why people are over weight. Several times when monitoring a home, I suggested that French fries were not the best choice of a vegetable to be served with pizza, and you would have thought I had suggested that they serve the fruit from the Lumina Lupina Plant from Nepal.

"Well what goes with pizza?" It was a demand more than a question. I suggested nearly any fruit or green vegetable including salad. I was dreaming.

White bread, deep fry, corn-macaroni-potato-noodle fests were the common lunch.

I came away from that job sure people were afraid of slicing fruit. "Raw?" they gasped - "Raw? You're kidding aren't you?"

"No," I laughed, "Raw vegetables and sour cream are good. So are plain raw vegetables with cheese and whole wheat crackers."

Here's the article:

Trying to avert a public health disaster, West Virginia, which has one of the nation's worst obesity problems, announced today that it is expanding a school-based program that uses a video game to boost students' physical activity.

Arthur Agatston, MD, a leading preventive cardiologist and founder of the Agatston Research Institute, believes the video program is a step in the right direction, especially in reaching middle school children who are establishing lifestyle habits that will impact their length and quality of life.

West Virginia, which has one of the nation's worst obesity problems, and nearly 46 percent of 31,000 fifth-graders screened in a coronary artery risk project from 1999-2005 were considered overweight or obese, according to Institute of Medicine guidelines. Extra weight is linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, some cancers and other problems.

West Virginia leads the nation in high blood pressure and is fourth in diabetes. One estimate by a public employee insurance program predicts that one out of three children born in West Virginia today will have diabetes by the time they grow up.

Dr. Agatston believes public schools need to do more to incorporate instruction in nutrition into programs aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle. While physical activity is key for cardiovascular health, he says that poor nutrition is the primary cause of obesity, which is best addressed through better food choices and eating habits.

The Agatston Institute is currently conducting a pilot study on public school nutrition.