#DidYouKnow People Care About Calorie Count

Did you know that one in six fast food customers used calorie information and purchased lower calorie menu items since the introduction of a labeling system in the U.S.? This is according to a new study published on the British Medical Journal website. A ScienceDaily article also says that obesity rates for children and adults currently are at an all time high in the U.S. with 13 percent of children and 33 percent of adults being obese. It’s more important than ever to begin making healthy choices.

The researchers found that there have been small, positive impacts from a law that was introduced in New York in 2008 that requires restaurants with more than 15 locations nationally to provide calorie information on menus and menu boards in the city. Although this is a positive change, the researchers said that menu labeling is only one piece of the framework to address the obesity epidemic. They concluded that special attention should be focused on educating customers on how to interpret and use nutrition information.

Although only select eating establishments in Houston are offering nutrition information on their menu boards currently, the American Heart Association encourages consumers to ask questions about the calories they consume. This will increase the ability of consumers to make informed choices in the food and beverages that they purchase in restaurant.

So, the next time you are dining out, become an informed consumer and ask questions about nutrition information prior to making your purchase. Asking questions leads to a healthier choice.

Please see the link below to the full article. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110726213458.htm


M. Allen
October 21, 2011

UNDOing Obesity in Houston with UH

On October 18th, The University of Houston's Science & Community hosted an After-School Health Expo: Health Fair and Symposium. The event was a great success! Approximately50 community members attended including the kiddies and over 25vendors/exhibitors attended the event. Attendees were able to participate in a walk to the UH community garden, (which burns calories), participate in a Nightclub Cardio fitness demonstration, (which burns calories) and engage in a group discussion about reducing early childhood obesity via a collaborative research (which can determine ways to burn calories). Are you seeing a trend?

The Science and Community aims to undo obesity (Understanding Neighborhood Determinants of Obesity) in Houston. Health Symposiums are just one to become involved. For more information about this organization and ways you can help reduce obesity visit their website. It's listed below!!

http://www.hhp.uh.edu/undo/?page_id=267

Chain Reaction: First Calories Now Other Important information

Restaurants are super-sizing their nutritional disclosures

In a LA Times article we learned that we Americans are as picky eaters as five year olds. We need to know how many calories we’re consuming for health reasons and we also need to know how our meals are prepared. Who knew Chipotle Mexican Grill’s used bacon in cooking its pinto beans? Overall, Americans want more information about the foods they eat and restaurants (fast food joints and fine dining) are giving the people what they want beyond just calorie counts.

Here is what the article says:

The article boasts that “they are updating their signs and menus for diet-conscious customers, and they also are highlighting potential problems for those with food allergies or other dietary restrictions.”Although responding to demand, quick-service restaurants also see that providing the additional information can help them stand out in the highly competitive marketplace."If you can demonstrate to families that you can offer them a safe meal, you establish a tremendous sense of loyalty and create repeat customers," said Chris Weiss, vice president at the nonprofit Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.

"As we look to the future, we'll definitely see more restaurants doing this."Healthful eating is already at the forefront of the food industry. California requires large chains to disclose calorie counts for each meal, and similar federal rules are coming next year.Adding another layer of information is a natural progression, industry experts said, especially for restaurants eager to woo the growing number of customers who aren't eating beef burgers or can't eat food cooked in peanut oil. Non-meat eaters rose to 8% of American adults in 2009 from 6.7% in 2006, according to the latest figures from nonprofit education organization the Vegetarian Resource Group. Moreover, food allergy cases increased 18% from 1997 to 2007, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-diet-signs-20111022,0,3305400.story

Community Leader Roundtable Discussion

Are you a community leader who works in the area of obesity prevention? Get up off your soap box and join us on Monday at the American Heart Association office from 6-8pm! Your opinion is extremely valuable to us and we "heart" what you have to say!!

Where: 10060 Buffalo Speedway Houston, TX 77054
When: Monday, October 17th, 2011
Time: 6pm-8pm
Why: Because You're the Cure, duh!

Contact: t-ar'sheill.sinclair@heart.org to RSVP.

Bringing Home the Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato

In a recent USA Today article we found that teenagers have no idea how many calories are in the fast foods they love. Often times they underestimate their caloric consumption by hundreds of calories per meal. As we have learned, not knowing calorie consumption tends to lead to weight gain which can turn into obesity. With so many people eating outside of the home its important to have calorie information available.

A survey was conducted of 547 adolescences ranging in ages 11-20 when they left five leading chain restaurants. During the survey, they were asked to estimate how many calories they had just ate. The researchers, based on the meal consumed, figured out the correct amount of calories for each entree.

Here is what they found:
•80% of young people underestimated the calories in their meals.
•30% underestimated the amount by 500 or more calories.
•Those who ordered 1,000-calorie meals underestimated the amount by an average of 350 calories.
•Those who ordered 1,500-calorie meals were off by 700 calories


Here is the complete article:
http://yourlife.usatoday.com/parenting-family/teen-ya/story/2011-10-04/Teenagers-underestimate-calories-in-fast-food/50660282/1

Battle of the Lunches

In a recent article in the Associated Press titled Salads Are Nice But Burgers Are What Really Sale (October 3, 2011), American eating habits were exposed. People say they eat healthy but when they are actually ordering food to eat they choose otherwise. Over 2/3rd of all Americans are overweight and spend over 40% of their food budget on dining out. According to the article 47% say they'd like restaurants to offer healthier items like salads and baked potatoes, but only 23 percent order healthier options, according to a survey last year by food research firm Technomic.

Hmmm...with so many food options for lunch its important to have calorie information available. A Chicken Cesare Salad at Chili's will cost you 1100 calories whereas a cheeseburger from Mickey D's is only 300 calories. The restaurant industry has made claims that people don't want healthier options and are hesitant to offer entrees that are more heart, healthy. We think just proving the nutrition facts is a great start for making the right choices. What do You think? Do you know how many calories you are eating?

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_UNHEALTHY_EATING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-10-03-04-15-49