|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| NOTE: Nutrient analysis of modified recipe is without added salt. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nutrition per serving | Original | Modified |
| Calories | 456 | 279 |
| Fat | 344 g | 15 g |
| Cholesterol | 89 mg | 73 mg |
| Sodium | 1088 mg | 260 mg |
| Percent of Calories from fat | 67 | 48 |
WIC
Very Low Birthweight Rate Decreases
A recent USDA study indicated that WIC participants give
birth to fewer very low birth weight (VLBW) babies. In 4
of the 5 states studied, WIC participation significantly
decreased the chances that women would give birth to VLBW
babies. In this study, the VLBW rate was as much as 55%
lower among women who participated in the WIC program.
VLBW, defined as birthweight less than 1,500 grams or 3.3
pounds, is rare. In the 5 states studied, the VLBW rate
was low, ranging from 1.9% of Medicaid newborns to 2.9%.
But cost of medical treatment was 9 to 12 times the cost
of normal weight newborns. By lowering the incidence of
VLBW, it was estimated that WIC saved Medicaid between
$2.3 and $4.5 million in 4 of the 5 states studied. (MS)
Source: CNI, Sept. 11, 1992
Children
In Poverty
A recent report from the National Center for Children in
Poverty provides an update of statistical information
about young children and their families living in poverty
in the U.S. The data provides an estimate of family
poverty status for 1990 as measured by the federal
poverty line. (In 1990, the poverty line was $10,419 for
a family of three and $13,359 for a family of four.)
- In 1990, 1 out of every 4 children under six lived in poverty.
- The 23% poverty rate for children under the age of 6 in 1990 was higher than the rate for any other age group in the U. S.
- 58% of poor children were minorities.
- Children under 6 living with single mothers were much more likely to be poor than those living with 2 parents. Even so, 40% of poor young children lived in married couple families in 1990.
- Poverty rates for young children are highest in urban areas.
The report attributes the high rate of poverty among children to several interrelated factors. First, employment and public assistance do not guarantee that families will not be poor. Public assistance does not raise family incomes above the poverty line. While earnings from employment offer the only hope for escaping poverty, 39% of all poor children lived in families not receiving public assistance. Twenty-one percent lived in families receiving both public assistance and income from employment. Second, not even full-time employment guarantees that families will not be poor. In 1990, a family with a full-time, minimum wage-earning parent and at least one child would have been poor. Finally, better educated parents are more likely to be employed and to earn enough to avoid poverty. However, minority children, whatever the educational level of their parents are more likely to be poor than white children. This disparity is most pronounced for non-Hispanic black children. (MS)
Source: Five Million Children, 1992 Update, National Center for Children in Poverty, Columbia University School of Public Health.
Breastfeeding
Promotion
Breastfeeding is not instinctive. It is a learned art.
The hospital environment often interferes with
breastfeeding and sometimes can even discourage it.
According to Minda Lazarov, breastfeeding promotion
adviser for the American Public Health Association, the
concerns of women can be addressed through peer support
and education. Gaining the support of health
professionals is more difficult.
A number of national programs have been initiated to promote breastfeeding. Lazarov is working with health organizations on implementing UNICEF's "Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative" (BFHI) in the U. S. This is a world-wide program to encourage health care facilities to adopt practices that promote breastfeeding. USDA has increased its efforts to promote breastfeeding among participants in food assistance programs. In December 1992, WIC provided an enhanced food package for breastfeeding women that more adequately meets the increased nutritional needs of lactating women. USDA also has organized a Breastfeeding Promotion Consortium (BPC) consisting of government and private agencies. The BPC will sponsor a media campaign promoting breastfeeding in 1994 through radio and TV, news releases, and print advertisements. (MS)
Dieting
Can Be Hazardous To Your Health
Think you'll go on a diet again? You're not alone.
Approximately one of every two women or one of every 4 or
5 men are trying to lose weight. But responsible obesity
experts are warning you to look before you leap into
another diet. Despite all the efforts, no one has yet
come up with a dependable, safe way to lose weight
permanently.
While you can lose on most programs, they are not effective long-term. Furthermore, short-term weight losses and then regain--the yo-yo effect--can be riskier than no weight loss at all, according to some new research findings. The regained weight tends to settle in the abdomen and upper body, locations most often associated with increased risk for heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. Studies indicate that within two years most dieters have regained to their original weights or even more. Some experts believe that lower weights must be maintained for at least five years for the treatment to be considered successful. These failures are hazardous to both your physical and mental health.
It's unfortunate but there are fewer safeguards for the dieter than for any other kind of medically recommended treatment. The weight control industry is unregulated and anyone is free to set up a program with no questions asked. Presently, only prescription and over-the-counter drugs for dieting receive any kind of close scrutiny. Advertising, for example, is not regulated and anyone can make outrageous claims.
One possible explanation for this lack of supervision is that many people are making money off the weight control industry. The cost of all that dieting is estimated to be $30 billion dollars annually.
Another reason is the pervasive prejudice against obesity in our society. Even health care providers are not immune and have been shown to provide less care for the obese. Some have speculated that part of the problem is the common attitude that obesity is evidence of moral failure and lack of will power. Such is not the case. Obesity is a very complex disorder with multiple factors such as heredity, environment, culture, psychological problems and social isolation. Few have questioned whether or not the programs themselves may be faulty or inadequate. It's another case of blame the victim for the failure.
Some obesity specialists have wondered why no organization, such as the American Medical Association or FDA, has "blown the whistle" on so much ineffective treatment. There were Congressional Hearings a couple of years ago that examined the problem after receiving complaints from constituents who had suffered harm. So far, there has been little action but the problem is not going unnoticed. Responsible obesity researchers and therapists are making determined efforts to seek better solutions to our growing obesity problem. Certainly, preventing obesity is our first line of defense.
While there is general agreement that there is no lasting cure, obesity can be controlled. A person can maintain a healthful weight just as an alcoholic can control drinking, but it is always possible that lost weight can return.
This is particularly true for anyone who has added a lot of fat cells through excessive weight gain as a teenager or adult. Adults as well as adolescents can develop too many fat cells. Once fat cells are filled to capacity, the body is stimulated to form additional ones. Unfortunately, you can never rid yourself of all that excess storage capacity. Those fat cells are yours to keep. Thus obesity in the teen and adult years may have lasting health, economic and social effects.
However, most authorities warn against putting overweight children on diets. They do not view mild overweight in younger children as being significant and food restriction in the young can be risky. Such misguided efforts can lead to the eating disorders of anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Anorexia and bulimia can be life-threatening and lead to lifelong physical, social and psychological problems. The common practice of dieting by young wrestlers to "make weight" is also hazardous and to be discouraged. This area of childhood obesity is in dire need of more research. Until better answers are found, pediatricians advise against children dieting.
So before you sign up for another weight loss program, it's a good idea to think twice about the consequences. And be sure to ask questions about the program's effectiveness. You may not only save money but protect your health as well. (MC)
How To
Choose A Weight Control Program
Most dieters have very little help in choosing a suitable
program to lose weight. About the only professional
guidance they get is the physician saying "you
should lose some weight." How is left up to them.
Unfortunately, methods vary widely in their
effectiveness, safety and cost.
Dieting can have serious consequences and dieters usually don't get what they seek: permanent weight loss. Although they initially lose weight, they regain it all and likely end up fatter than before with even a greater risk for heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.
The oddity is that dieters blame themselves and not the program. Some studies show that even in the best of programs, as many as 95 percent of the dieters regain all the lost weight within five years. Despite all the searching and experimentation, a truly effective, permanent weight loss program is yet to be found.
This is not to say that no one has succeeded in weight control efforts but it does mean that a person's chances for success are not good and that repeated strenuous dieting is riskier than no dieting at all.
So check out the weight control program you are considering. Good questions to ask proprietors are:
How many participants complete the program?
What's the average and range of weight loss of those who complete the program?
How many are able to keep the weight off? 1, 3 even 5 years.
What proportion of weight loss is maintained?
What kinds of adverse medical or psychological effects do people have in the program? And how severe are they?
Even those programs based in hospitals or clinics need to be checked out. Unfortunately, many commercial programs don't have good records and you may not be able to get answers.
Here's some other helpful information:
What does the program emphasize? Does it concentrate on healthful eating, exercise and behavior change?
What about the amount and kind of counseling? What is the training of the counselors? Are they professionals or have they been successful dieters who have been trained by the company? Do they make referrals to other health professionals if they find serious psychological problems?
Do they have support groups? Are people allowed to drop in and out as they wish or join at any time? A closed group is more effective and supportive.
If you choose a very low calorie program, are the individuals well-trained in medicine, nutrition, psychology, physiology and exercise therapy? Such modified fasting programs carry additional risks even though the liquids used now are much safer than earlier ones.
Is relapse prevention and long-term maintenance a part of the program?
What about food choices? Does the program help you learn how to make better choices and prepare foods to promote health?
Who sets your weight loss goals? Do you decide cooperatively after being instructed on what is reasonable and safe or do they set the goal? (MC)
So You
Want To Lose Weight
Anyone wishing to lose weight needs to consider how
serious their commitment is to making permanent changes
in lifestyle habits. There are no easy solutions and the
risks with losing weight are becoming more apparent.
Obesity researchers are questioning current practices and
issuing warnings about the possible hazards of repeated
dieting on physical, social and psychological health.
So if you are considering going on a diet, here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Do you have a health problem related to obesity and how serious is it? Do you experience sleep apnea (your breathing stops)? Have high blood pressure or diabetes because you are too heavy? Do you get gallbladder attacks? Losing weight quickly can trigger gallbladder disease in about one in four strenuous dieters. Also, you can lose calcium from bones thus promoting osteoporosis.
- What might be your reaction to another dieting failure? Would another failure make you feel even worse about yourself and more incompetent?
- How supportive is your environment? Will people at home and work help you? Is there a closed group of others like yourself that will make you feel safe and supported in your efforts to lose weight?
- How much is it going to cost you in time and money? Perhaps there are too many pressures in your life and now is not a good time to try to make lifestyle changes. If your commitment is weak, your chance for success is dim indeed.
- Can you arrange your life to include regular exercise? Most of those who succeed in keeping weight off exercise regularly.
- Are you willing to make permanent changes in what you eat such as less fat? (MC)
Getting
Fit for Spring
When the days start getting warmer, many of us start to
worry about the few extra pounds we put on over the
winter and how we are going to look in summer's more
revealing clothes. That's when many people decide they
need to start exercising.
Before starting an exercise program there are some things to remember. If you are under 35, don't smoke, aren't overweight, and have no known heart problems you probably won't need any special tests before you start. But, even so, if you have been inactive for several years, it is best to check with your doctor first. Be sure to see your doctor if you are 35 or older or have any of the following conditions or risk factors:
- personal or family history of heart disease or other cardiac problems
- history of rheumatic or scarlet fever
- smoking tobacco
- overweight
- high cholesterol level
- hypertension
- chest pain or dizziness
- diabetes
- asthma
- osteoporosis
- arthritis or other joint or bone disorder
- muscle, ligament, or tendon problems
If your doctor gives you the okay to begin an exercise program, the next question may be what kind of exercise to do. There is no one answer for everyone. It depends on what you want to accomplish and what you enjoy doing.
If you want to loose weight and improve cardiac fitness, exercises such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, aerobics, cycling, rowing, rope jumping, and cross-country skiing may be good choices. The key is to work the large muscle groups and get the heart pumping at 70-85% of your maximum capacity. To calculate your training zone subtract your age from 220; multiply the result by 70 percent and 85 percent. Your pulse rate during exercise should fall within this range. If your pulse rate is below the range, you need to increase the intensity of exercise. If it is above this range, slow down. Doing this three times per week for 20 minutes at a time, should improve your cardiac fitness. Keep in mind, to loose weight your intake of calories must be less than the energy you expend.
No matter what exercise you decide to do, it is best to start slowly and pick an exercise or variety of exercises that you enjoy so that you will keep at it. Warm up before you start by doing a slow, gentle version of the exercise you will be doing. Don't exhaust yourself and work up to more vigorous activities gradually. Make sure to cool down by continuing the activity slowly for 5 to 10 minutes.
Most people who are eating a balanced, varied diet do not need to change what they eat when they start an exercise program.
- Good tips to remember (for exercisers and non-exercisers):
- eat plenty of complex carbohydrates
- don't overdo the protein (most Americans typically get plenty)
- drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercise
- make sure you get enough iron in your diet
- Avoid the so called "nutritional supplements" advertised by many health and body building magazines. Most are ineffective and many are even dangerous. Some often seen in ads include:
- anabolic steroids (may cause many problems from sterility to death)
- conch grass
- adrenal gland concentrate
- insect hormone
- amino acid supplements (could cause physiological imbalances that may interfere with the body's proper functioning)
- tryptophan (an amino acid that may contain harmful impurities)
- levodopa (a prescription drug that may cause depression, heart rhythm disturbance and more)
- high levels of folic acid (10 milligrams which is 25 times the RDA)
Many athletes are looking for ways to improve physical performance and often turn to these "nutritional supplements". But, a simple varied, healthy diet will take care of nutritional needs. (PP)
Source: Tufts University Diet and Nutrition Letter, Oct. 1992
Smoking
and Breastfeeding Don't Mix
Breastfeeding infants of mothers who smoke may not be
getting the calories they need. Scientists at the Children's
Nutrition Research Center in Houston have found that
mothers who smoke produce 22 percent less milk per day
than mothers who do not smoke. The milk is also lower in
fat content than that of non-smokers. Infants, who need a
high fat diet, will try to make up for lower calories by
increasing their milk intake. But if the mother's milk
production is low, they may not be able to get the
nutrition they need. This may help explain why mothers
who smoke often wean their infants earlier than
non-smokers. (PP)
Source: USDA, Food & Nutrition Research Briefs, July-October, 1992.
Effect
of Overweight in Adolescence
A Tufts University researcher has done a 55-year
follow-up study of the 1922-35 Harvard Growth Study to
see if being overweight during adolescent years had an
effect on disease and death rates later in life. Over 500
lean or overweight adolescents who were 13-18 years old
at the time of the original study were included in the
follow-up study. Of the people who were still living, 52
percent of those who had been overweight as adolescents
were still overweight. Both men and women who had been
overweight in adolescence had an increased risk of death
from all causes. Men had an increased risk of coronary
heart disease, stroke, gout and colorectal cancer. Women
were much more likely to have arthritis and difficulty
managing their personal care and daily living activities.
Thus, it appears that to have a longer life and to have a
better quality of life in later years, overweight should
be prevented in children and teenagers. (PP)
Source: Must, A. et al. Long-term morbidity and mortality of overweight adolescents. New Eng J Med 327 (19): 1350-1354; 1992.
Eating
Characteristics of One and Two Year Olds
When children reach the age of 12 to 18 months, their
rate of growth slows tremendously. This also means that
they do not need as much to eat. This can be a very
frustrating time for parents or care givers who are
trying to help children eat well and develop good eating
habits. It helps to remember that this is a very busy
time for children. They are learning many new things,
including how to walk, run and climb. They are beginning
to separate themselves from the adults in their lives and
to make things happen the way they want them to happen.
They show their independence by saying "no"
often. They are learning to feed themselves, but are
messy and choke easily. As adults, we need to help them
be successful and independent. We need to set limits and
teach them. It is our responsibility to provide a variety
of healthy foods for them to eat, and it is their
responsibility to decide what and how much of it to eat.
Being aware of the child's needs and abilities can help
us set the stage to make mealtime a more positive
experience.
- A typical one to two year old:
- learns to drink out of a glass
- uses a spoon first and later a fork--is messy and spills a lot
- is very independent and prefers to feed him or herself--serve bite-sized food that is easy to pick up
- is developing eye-hand coordination--expect many spills
- has a high risk of choking--foods can slip down the throat easily without being chewed well
- enjoys watching and being a part of everything--let him or her help prepare meals and snacks
- imitates others--be a good example by choosing healthful foods (PP)
Source: Mealtime Magic, NCR publication #439-A, 1992.
StarPower
StarPower is a nutrition and fitness education package
developed to be used with youth ages 9-14, families, and
adult caregivers such as parents, teachers and youth
leaders. Each kit includes a video, a teaching guide with
nutrition and fitness information, discussion questions,
tips and activities, reproducible handouts and a poster.
The overall program goal is to provide the target audiences with information to make healthy food choices and encourage regular physical activity. This program incorporates the dietary guidelines and the food guide pyramid.
StarPower gets across the message that there are no good or bad foods but that variety, balance and moderation, are the keys to healthful eating.
All kit contents (including video) can be reproduced. We have 3 copies of this kit available for check out from the Instructional Media Center, 26 Umberger Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506-1407, (913) 532-5768. (JD)
Seafood
Hotline
The Food and Drug Administration announced the start of a
new toll-free Seafood Hotline for consumers. The hotline
will answer questions on seafood buying, handling and
storage for home consumption and on seafood labeling. The
hotline number is 1-800-FDA-4010 and may be used in all
50 states and Puerto Rico.
FDA seafood specialists will answer questions directly between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. People who want to speak directly with an FDA specialist, plus anyone using a rotary dial phone, should call during these times. However, the hotline will be available 24 hours a day through a computerized information retrieval system that permits callers using touchtone phones to request FDA seafood publications, listen to prerecorded seafood safety messages and get access to other information. (KP)
Food
Safety Reference
A new publication entitled Food Safety: Common Terms,
Acronyms, Abbreviations, Agencies and Laws (NCR 464) is
available from the Extension Distribution Center,
Umberger Hall, KSU, Manhattan, KS 66506-5606 or through
County Extension Offices. Authors are Don Cress,
Pesticide Coordinator, Karen Penner, Food Science
Specialist and Fadi Aramouni, Food Systems Specialist.
(KP)
Educator's
Guide to Bread/Grain Group
"Your Guide to Enjoying More", is an 18-page
booklet, an educator's guide to the Bread and Grain
Group. It has seven teaching suggestions with a
reproducible handout for each.
This guide, with Food Pyramid related nutrition quiz, fact sheets about the U. S. Dietary Guidelines, fat, fiber, complex carbohydrates, bread, serving ideas and the Food Guide pyramid, is available to nutrition educators from the Kansas Wheat Commission.
To receive one free copy of the copy-ready guide, send a large addressed manila envelope (9 inches by 12 inches) with $2.00 postage to: Sharon Davis; Kansas Wheat Commission; 2630 Claflin Road; Manhattan, KS 66502-2743.
This booklet was produced by the American Bakers Association and Wheat Foods Council. Home Economics agents have received a copy from the Kansas Wheat Commission. Paula and I have reviewed it and recommend it. (JD)
Food
Safety in Nursing Homes
"Handle with Care: Preventing Food Borne Illness in
Nursing Homes" is a kit of materials centering
around two videotapes on food safety in nursing homes.
One tape is for nursing home administrators and medical
directors; the other is targeted toward nursing home food
service managers and workers.
The tapes contain similar information which focuses on poor food handling and kitchen practices that may contribute to foodborne illness and the recommended practices which reduce the risk of outbreaks. Case studies are included.
A training session or educational program can be planned using the tapes as an introduction. The following materials can be used to develop a training session:
- Teaching Guide (Self-Quiz included)
- FDA Consumer article, "So Long, Sunny Side Up"
- FDA's Model Food Service Sanitation Manual
- HCFA Regulations Reference Sheet and Survey Form
- Kitchen Food Safety Posters (English & Spanish)
These materials are available by contacting the Instructional Media Center, 26 Umberger Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, 913-532-5768. Since the materials were produced by the Federal Government the documents may be reproduced. (JD)
K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.