Nutrition

A new study shows that being obese, in and of itself, makes it more likely that a child will be the victim of school bullying, increasing the risk that the child will experience depression, anxiety, and loneliness.  Steps to address bullying and obesity at the individual, school and community level are badly needed, the study says.

A vegetable rich diet reduces risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and some cancers as well as lowering pressure and the risk of eye and digestive problems. Vegetables also regulate the appetite, preventing obesity and promoting good health.

If all the ads for sports drinks, energy bars, energy drinks, electrolyte replacers, and sports candies are to believed, they are a necessary part of a sports diet, particularly if a child is participating in endurance exercise such as training for a marathon or a triathlon.  While there is a time and a place for engineered sports foods (particularly among kids who train at a high intensity), in most cases sports-active children can get their needs met with a wisely chosen diet.

Most people know that eating disorders can be life-threatening.  What most people don't know is that eating disorders cause more deaths annually than all other mental and emotional health conditions combined.  That's why the Chicago-based Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center and the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) have designated the week of February 21 to 27, 2010 as National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. 

Young athletes attempting to lose weight and body fat or gain weight and muscle mass may resort to unhealthy weight-control practices.  Gradual weight loss or gain is best.

 

NSF International, a non-profit firm that tests and certifies dietary supplements and sports nutritional products to ensure they are free of banned substances such as steroids, has announced full support for the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) "Supplement Safety Now" campaign.  The campaign will create increased awareness around this important public health issue and help safeguard consumers from taking steroids and other illegal or controlled substances in products that are marketed as "safe and legal" dietary supplements.

The recent Natural Food Products Expo East gave Youth Sports Parents a chance to sample new products ranging from vitamins, sports drinks, granola bars and protein mixes, to muscle rubs, juicers, lip balms, and our favorite, snacks. Out of all of the snacks we tried, here are some of our top picks, all great, healthier alternatives to the usual doritos, fruit rollups, potato chips and candy. Put them in with your kid’s lunch, they won’t know the difference, but you'll know they will be eating healthy!

With the start of school and the fall sports season comes the usual scramble by parents to find a nutritious snack to throw in their child's backpack or sports bag before they go off to school.  We've reviewed 9 high protein options that will help ensure that your young athlete has a nutritious snack that will give her the energy she needs for after-school sports and isn't tempted to hit the vending machine in the cafeteria for the empty calories of a candy bar.