Finally, a positive solution regarding America's difficult and costly campaign to stem childhood obesity is emerging. For the thousands of children and their families who are currently battling with childhood obesity, this good news is long awaited.
Indeed, the risk factors for childhood obesity read like a checklist of ailments that only a generation ago would never have been linked to children and diet: heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and of course, social ridicule and alienation [i]. This latter consequence of childhood obesity -- ridicule and alienation -- has the dual effect of damaging a child both physically and emotionally far beyond childhood, and possibly for the rest of his or her natural life.
For years, medical experts have called for a multi-faceted strategy to address this epidemic. It has been clear that any long-term solution must be fought on four major fronts: physical activity, sedentary behavior, socioeconomic status, and eating habits [ii].
Yet there is room for another pillar; or, at the very least, the identification of another component that must be a part of any lasting solution. This fifth pillar, or undiscovered component, is smart nutritional supplements.
Many obese children have been told repeatedly by well-intentioned dieticians that eating smart is the key to overcoming this scarring condition. This is easier said than done; especially when emotional eating or an unobserved food addiction [1] may fuel adverse eating habits.
Yet being told to "eat smart" is oftentimes not enough. Children must be provided with foods that are nutritionally sound, and foods that they actually enjoy eating. It is this latter criterion that most well-intentioned experts and caregivers overlook. This is explained below.
Most obese children are neither unable to learn, nor willfully disobedient. Some of these children even have remarkable support from their well-adjusted families who dutifully remove the usual suspects of chips, soft drinks, chocolate bars, and other damaging foods from the home. Yet many of these same children continue to gain weight and march ever closer to the litany of health defects noted above.
These children are not sadistic, and they are not attempting to kill themselves through eating; though some do because of the stigma associated with their condition. Indeed, many obese children are cognitively aware of the danger to which they are subjecting their bodies. Yet they continue to snack away in secret, or binge on foods when they get the chance, thereby undoing whatever minor gains might have been achieved in the previous few days or weeks.
The problem is one of food selection. Generally speaking, children of all weights and shapes will not eat something that they do not like. For obese children who have typically had unfettered access to highly stimulating foods such as gravies and sugar-loaded soft drinks, the willpower to eat unpalatable foods is undeveloped. Indeed, the dietician may snack away on carrots and celery while talking to an obese child about the importance of eating smart. For the obese child, carrots and celery are foreign foods for which there is no known preference.
This fifth pillar, or new component, is therefore one that provides obese children with nutritional supplements that they will eat. As stunningly obvious ? even axiomatic ? as this seems, it has been lost on many experts until recently.
Thankfully, as noted above, there is a solution emerging. It is one that meets this demand for tasty, healthy foods. Forward-thinking companies that understand their consumers are creating low-calorie, highly nutritious foods fortified with life-sustaining vitamins and protein. More importantly: they are tasty, and are often packaged in colorful containers that are "teen-friendly". Companies including MetRx?, Experimental and Applied Sciences?, Protica Research?, and others develop products that fit well within these requirements. Granted, a healthy diet does not start or end with nutritional supplements. A healthy diet employs nutritional supplements to complement and fortify real foods.
Indeed, children and families affected by the obesity epidemic in America are cautiously optimistic at this point; after all, they have been promised solutions in the past. However, thanks to the next generation of nutritional supplements, there is an expectation that this optimism will steadily grow with every success story, and every child that recovers from the potentially devastating impact of obesity.
ABOUT PROTICA
Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at http://www.protica.com
You can also learn about Profect at http://www.profect.com
REFERENCES
[i] Source: "The Problem of Overweight in Children and Adolescents". The US Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/calltoaction/fact_adolescents.htm
[ii] Source: "Childhood Obesity". American Obesity Association. http://www.obesity.org/subs/childhood/causes.shtml
Copyright 2004 - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com
Mercedes Benz s500 rentals Salem ..You may have heard of the "Portfolio Diet" wherein it... Read More
What are Glyconutritionals?The Greek word "Glyco" means "Sugar". Most people... Read More
The sugar industry and the food manufacturers are capitalizing BIG... Read More
With so many people concerned about natural and organic foods... Read More
I spent a few days at a resort in Mexico... Read More
With summer comes more sun and with more sun comes... Read More
Bright white teeth and fresh breath does not necessarily... Read More
Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who's the healthiest of them... Read More
Food addiction isn't a problem. Pretending like you can't live... Read More
Millions of people around the UK consume dairy products on... Read More
The problem with sugar is that it doesn't contain any... Read More
Do we really need a home water filter? Can't we... Read More
Biological clockObviously you need biological clock to time and alarm... Read More
Cholesterol is present in our bodies by one of two... Read More
According to the National Institute of Health, Magnesium is needed... Read More
Since the 1930's the western diet has dramatically changed. This... Read More
Creating Your Target is easy.What I use to help create... Read More
Are there any benefits to be obtained from drinking water... Read More
NutrientsFat, Sugar, Sodium and CarbohydrateThe sections on a food label... Read More
Protein is one of the basic building blocks of the... Read More
The topic of food additives is not quickly addressed in... Read More
Did you know that there might be poison in many... Read More
Much controversy and argument surrounds the idea that food may... Read More
Numerous reports have recently appeared in both the lay and... Read More
Eating out when you are on a restricted diet always... Read More
Dowagiac cheap limo service ..Wow! Is it just me or? Wait! Let me start... Read More
Meal sizes and frequency are very important. Over the years... Read More
At any grocery store in North America right now, there... Read More
Soy, and most soy-based products, are nutritional powerhouses. Soybeans are... Read More
I read a lot about the topics of health and... Read More
Quick Overview- I think the most important thing for people... Read More
Green tea has been used as for medical remedies in... Read More
Nature works mostly on the principle of thing and no... Read More
Glowing skin comes free of charge to you. Our simple... Read More
The Immune System is probably the most important system in... Read More
Dr. Christine Wood, M.D, a practicing pediatrician in Encinitas, California,... Read More
You can eat whole flax seeds but you need to... Read More
It is often taken as a given fact that soy... Read More
Healthy eating is important for everyone, from babies to the... Read More
The concept isometric has been a part of the health... Read More
They sit left behind on relish trays. They're often by-passed... Read More
Hormonal changes during pregnancy, and quite normal fat gain often... Read More
Essential fatty acids are the number one recommendation for anyone... Read More
The typical American diet already provides plenty of protein and... Read More
Proper hydration is extremely important during exercise. Adequate fluid intake... Read More
Weight loss plans are almost always trying to get you... Read More
Besides providing taste, color, and aroma, certain seasonings can also... Read More
With new research, new products and new skin protection advice... Read More
I am going to share with you possibly the most... Read More
Modern life can be stressful. There are so many concerns... Read More
Nutrition |