Health News: FDA may soon change labels to slash your added sugar intake ♦ Exploring the paradox of metabolically healthy obesity ♦Temporary ambulance locations reduces response times

FDA may soon change labels to slash your added sugar intake A high-sugar diet has been associated with all kinds of negative health impacts, from obesity to diabetes to high blood pressure. Now, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is nearing a decision on a new proposal that could help people cut down on their sugar intake.

Exploring the paradox of metabolically healthy obesity Researchers have defined some key characteristics of the metabolically healthy obese -- those obese individuals who remain free from type 2 diabetes and other disorders, that usually associate with obesity. Their findings have implications for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and obesity

New disease-carrying mosquito arrives in British Columbia, Canada Scientists are studying an invasive, disease-carrying mosquito, Aedes japonicus, after finding it for the first time in Western Canada. The mosquitoes could pose a significant hazard to health if global warming favors the development of some of the viruses it can transmit.

Temporary ambulance locations reduces response times and may save lives Ambulances deployed at temporary locations that can be changed depending on the time of day and accident statistics can reduce response time and may save lives on the way to the hospital.

Children's Health:Colds, flu may temporarily increase stroke risk in kids ♦ Children with severe obesity may be at higher risk for heart disease and diabetes

Early intervention improves preschoolers' heart healthy habits Introducing healthy lifestyle behaviors to children in preschool improves their knowledge, attitude and habits toward healthy diet and exercise and can lead to reduced levels of body fat, according to a study. Researchers predict early intervention in children will not only translate to a lifelong understanding of healthy habits but will also serve to encourage their parents to adopt healthier lifestyles.

New predictor of health complications can identify high-risk preemies Premature infants have heightened risks of deadly diseases because their organs and immune systems are not fully developed. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a major gastrointestinal disease that causes the intestines to die, is a leading cause of death among these infants and is the most the common disease for babies born before 32 weeks. Now, researchers have found that the early and persistent presence of white blood cells during NEC, known as blood eosinophilia, is a predictor of life-threatening complications for preemies

Cognitive-behavioral prevention program for teens at-risk of depression shows benefit A cognitive-behavioral prevention program for depression among at-risk youth showed benefit more than 6 years after the implementation of the intervention, according to a new article

Colds, flu may temporarily increase stroke risk in kids Stroke is very rare in children, but colds, flu and other minor infections may temporarily increase stroke risk in children The study also found routine childhood vaccines may decrease the risk of stroke

Children with severe obesity may be at higher risk for heart disease and diabetes A direct correlation has been found between more severe forms of obesity in children and related risk factors for developing heart disease and diabetes--particularly in boys. It is estimated that there are more than 3 million children in the United States who are severely obese.

Lawsuit against Coca Cola’s Vitaminwater

First filed in 2009 it alleges that brand’s parent company, Coca-Cola (KO), took part in “deceptive labeling and marketing for the soft drink, which included claims that the drink could reduce rise for eye disease, promote healthy joints and support ‘optimal immune function.’” The complaint also takes issue with the company’s marketing campaign, which includes words like “defense,” “rescue,” and “endurance” on various Vitaminwater labels, suggesting that their product, a non carbonated soda containing

Coca Cola’s  attorneys said “no consumer could reasonably be misled into thinking Vitaminwater was a healthy beverage.” Stephen Gardner, chief litigator for the CSPI, thinks this argument is “utter nonsense.”

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Levy in Brooklyn recommended that plaintiffs in the case should be able to litigate for declaratory and injunctive relief as a class action. but they however, seek financial damages. So all they can get is for Coca Cola to change the label to stop them from deceptive practices.

In November the CSPI filed a federal class-action lawsuit against Dr Pepper Snapple Group claiming misleading information on regular and diet varieties of 7Up Antioxidant sodas, including cherry, mixed berry, and pomegranate. Although the beverages contained small amounts of vitamin E, the labels—which featured pictures of fruit—could confuse customers, according to the CSPI, into thinking the products were fortified with antioxidants from actual fruit or fruit juice. The suit was settled out of court last week, Dr Pepper Snapple Group agreed to remove all references to “antioxidant” on the products’ labels.

In January, the Federal Trade Commission found POM Wonderful, makers of several fruit-based beverages,guilty of “deceptively advertising  their products and did not have adequate support for claims that the products could treat, prevent, or reduce the risk of heart disease, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction, and that they were clinically proven to work.”

Yet another class-action lawsuit, this one filed in 2011 against Naked Juice—owned by PepsiCo—claimed that several of Naked’s juice and smoothie products contained misleading or false information, like that the contents were “all natural” or contained “nothing artificial.” The drinks in fact included numerous synthetic ingredients, such GM soy, fructooligosaccharides and inulin. As of last week, the company agreed to a $9 million settlement, which includes removing the misleading labels and hiring an independent tester to determine just how many genetically modified organisms (if any) are in their drinks.

Will people stop drinking these products? Probably not.

New Rules for Healthier Snacks in Schools

In June 2013, the USDA released its interim final rules for healthier snack foods in schools. The new guidelines  cover snacks and beverages sold in the “a la carte” line in the cafeteria, but it doesn't end there. They also cover vending machines, snack carts and school stores. There are allowances for class celebrations and a certain number of in-school fundraisers per year.                                            

Some of the rules:

1. Calories – USDA allows 200 calories per portion

2. Sodium – For the first two years of implementation, the sodium limit is 230 mg. For the

2016-17 school year, the USDA sodium limit will be reduced to 200 mg.

3.Snacks to be rich in whole grains, have real food as a first ingredient, and provide nutritional value.

4 Drinking water to be available to all students at no cost

.4. Other beverages – USDA sets a limit of 40 calories/8 oz. with a 12 oz. serving size limit.

5. Time of day – USDA guidelines are in effect from midnight until 30 minutes after the end of the official school day.

6. Fundraisers – USDA allows infrequent school-sponsored fundraisers during the school day that do not meet the guidelines. State agencies will be allowed to set the frequency of fundraising The Alliance guidelines cover all in-school fundraisers.

There will be a ninety day period where the public can comment on the rules before they can take effect. You can bet some food companies will be lobbying to get these rules changed. Hopefully the USDA will continue to consider childrens health over corporate profits.

In other news -

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has just released a report recommending that USDA ease off on restricting the amount of meat and grains allowed in the school meal standards that went into effect this year.  Apparently, USDA agrees. GAO reports are usually requested by members of Congress.  Rep. Kristi Noem joined House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman John Kline (R-MN) and Representative Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN) in requesting a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study on the new school lunch standards that are being implemented for the first time this year. It would be nice if congress wasn’t being run by big business and was more interested in the health of our children.