Health: Pre-ordering school meals leads to healthier eating

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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It’s hard to resist a tater tot when you’re hungry, but pre-ordering meals at school can lead to healthier choices.

Study in New York shows significant change in food choices

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Not long after reporting that bite-sized fruit pieces spur healthier eating at school, Cornell researchers have released new findings suggesting that pre-ordering food would also help improve the dietary habits of school kids.

The study builds on the conventional wisdom that shopping for food while hungry can lead to unhealthy choices. According to the scientists, hungry people are especially sensitive to sights and smells of foods that will satiate, but may lack in nutrient content. (more…)

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Teens not getting the message about texting and driving

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Survey suggests state anti-texting laws are not highly effective

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A new risk-behavior study shows that texting while driving is very common.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Despite the wave of horrifying ads featuring parents of teens who died as a result of texting while driving, the message isn’t sinking in with the target demographic.

Nearly 43 percent of high school students of driving age who were surveyed in 2011 reported texting while driving at least once in the preceding 30 days, according to a study by researchers with the Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York.

“Texting while driving has become, in the words of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, a ‘national epidemic,’” said lead researchers Alexandra Bailin. “Although teens may be developmentally predisposed to engage in risk-taking behavior, reducing the prevalence of texting while driving is an obvious and important way to ensure the health and safety of teen drivers, their passengers and the surrounding public,” Bailin said. (more…)

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Congress tackles genetically modified food labeling

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Have your veggies been genetically modified? Some members of Congress think you have the right to know.

Citing overwhelming public support, lawmakers introduce measures that would require the FDA to modernize its labeling standards

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — The battle over labeling of genetically modified food is once again in Congress, where pending bills in the House and Senate would help consumers be able to make more informed choices about their diet and purchasing decisions.

U.S. Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) and Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR)this week introduced the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act in the House; a companion measure in the Senate got a bipartisan introduction from by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CO) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).

“Despite the prevalence of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in grocery stores and prepared foods, it remains difficult if not impossible for consumers to determine if the foods they eat contain GMOs,” Polis said. “This labeling bill is about empowering consumers: consumers can choose to eat or not eat GMOs, or to pay more or less for GMOs. I believe consumers have a right to know what they are eating so they can make their own informed food choices. I am proud to be working toward more informative food labels.” (more…)

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Health: Bite-size fruit a better bet for school meals

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Kids at school are more likely to eat fruit if it’s pre-sliced, a new study shows.

Study shows dramatic increase in consumption when fruit is sliced

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Most parents know that kids coming home from school are more likely to eat fruit that’s been cut into bite-sized pieces. That same technique might encourage youngsters to eat more healthy foods as part of their school lunch, according to new research from Cornell University who tested the idea in eigh elementary schools.

Previous studies and surveys have shown that kids love to eat fruit in ready-to-eat bite-sized pieces, yet in most school settings, the fruit is served whole, which could be the reason children are taking fruits but not eating them.

Most people believe that children avoid fruit because of the taste and allure of alternative packaged snacks. A study by Cornell University’s Food and Brand Lab researchers Brian Wansink, David Just, Andrew Hanks, and Laura Smith decided to get to the bottom of why children were avoiding their fruit. (more…)

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New test may reduce unneeded beach closures

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Same-day results could also reduce exposure to waterborne disease

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Beach season is just around the corner, and new EPA test may help make the waters safer.

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Beach season is just around the corner, and federal scientists say they’ve developed a new water quality test that may help reduce human exposure to waterborne illnesses and prevent unnecessary beach closures.

The same-day test was recently evaluated by the U.S. Geological Survey, which found that results from the rapid test met EPA’s safe swimming criteria more often than the older tests. If this method had been used during the study period examined, the summers of 2009 and 2010, it may have prevented hundreds of beach closure days and possibly significantly decreased incidences of waterborne illnesses. The full report is available online. (more…)

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UCLA study links traffic pollution with childhood cancers

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Exposure to traffic pollution has been linked with exposure to traffic-related air pollution.

Evidence growing that traffic pollution causes a wide range of illnesses

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Not long after European researchers published a study linking auto emissions with chronic childhood asthma, a new report from UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health suggests a potential link between traffic-related air pollution and several childhood cancers.

The results of the study — the first to examine air pollution from traffic and a number of rarer childhood cancers — were presented on April 9 in an abstract at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Washington, D.C. (more…)

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Health: New European study solidifies link between highway pollution and chronic childhood asthma

Posted on March 23, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Roadside air pollution is a significant factor in chronic childhood asthma.

Toxic emissions from traffic are a significant public health concern, often ignored by transportation and urban planners

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Pollution from busy roads may cause just as many cases of chronic childhood asthma as passive smoking, according to new findings published this week in the European Respiratory Journal.

The research conducted in 10 European cities concludes that 14 percent of childhood asthma cased are linked with traffic related pollution, while the World Health Organization estimates that between 4 percent and 18 percent of asthma cases in children are linked to passive smoking. (more…)

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New law would tackle widespread seafood fraud

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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When is a tuna not a tuna? Consumers will know more if Rep. Ed Markey’s Safe Seafood Act is passed into law.

Measure would accountability to the seafood supply chain

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Not long after a recent report by the nonprofit group Oceana revealed widespread fraud in the seafood consumer market, federal lawmakers make intervene to hold seafood producers more accountable for what they catch, deliver and sell.

As introduced by Congressman Ed Markey, the Safety and Fraud Enforcement for Seafood (SAFE Seafood) Act would requiring full traceability of all seafood sold in the U.S., from boat to plate.

“Fish fraud is a national problem that needs a national solution. This bill finally tells the seafood swindlers and fish fraudsters that we will protect America’s fishermen and consumers from Massachusetts to Alaska,” said Markey, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee. “From tackle to table, this bill makes the entire seafood supply chain more transparent and trustworthy.” (more…)

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Health: BPA exposure not so easy to avoid

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Some types of cayenne pepper may come with an unhealthy dose of phthalates.

New study shows that even organic diets can contain surprising concentrations of the endocrine-disrupting chemicals

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Avoiding plastic and personal care products known to include endocrine-disrupting BPAs may not be enough to limit exposure to the toxic chemicals, according to University of Washington researchers who recently published  a  study that illustrates some surprising BPA pathways in the food chain.

Based on the findings, the researchers concluded that people may be exposed to these chemicals in their diets, even if their meals are organic and foods are prepared, cooked and stored in non-plastic containers. And children may be most vulnerable, they said.

Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are synthetic endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Previous studies have linked prenatal exposure to phthalates to abnormalities in the male reproductive system. Associations have also been shown between fetal exposure to BPA and hyperactivity, anxiety, and depression in girls. (more…)

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Health officials urge action on endocrine disrupting chemicals

Posted on February 23, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Air fresheners are one of the products that often include endocrine disrupting chemicals.

Report cites worldwide failure to act, calls for transparency on path forward

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A growing global epidemic of endocrine-related diseases in people and wildlife requires immediate attention and action, the World Health Organization and the UN Environment Program said in a report released last week.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals include man-made products such as pesticides and plasticizers. They’re also found in food, indoor and outdoor environments, and a wide range of consumer products.

Adverse effects increasingly linked to exposure to chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties include: effects on reproduction, such as infertility and reduced sperm count and viability; breast, mammary, testicular, and prostate cancers; type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease; neurobehavioral outcomes; and thyroid and immune system dysfunction. (more…)

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