Exploring Nutrition News January 2008

• The National President's Challenge Is Coming!
• We Can! Expands Efforts to Address Childhood Overweight
• FAST FACT! All Foods Can Fit Within a Healthful Eating Pattern
• Milk Is Effective for Hydrating After Exercise

The National President's Challenge Is Coming!
The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is launching a National Challenge on March 20, 2008. This physical activity challenge will help Americans of all ages "Spring into Action" by utilizing the President's Challenge Web site to track physical activity. The Challenge takes place from March 20th to May 15th. For more information, visit www.presidentschallenge.org.

Source: The Presidents Challenge, Fitness Is Fun! Electronic Newsletter, December 2007.

We Can! Expands Efforts to Address Childhood Overweight
A new partnership between the National Institutes of Health's We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity and Nutrition) program and the Association of Children's Museums (ACM) is expanding efforts to address the childhood overweigh epidemic. In addition, three major cities - Boston, Pittsburgh, and Las Vegas - will be designated as We Can! cities. We Can! is a science-based, national education program to help children ages 8-13 stay at a healthy weight through improving food choices, increasing physical activity and reducing screen time. The program is currently implemented in more than 450 community sites in 44 states. We Can!, a turn-key resource complete with partnership ideas and outreach opportunities to unite community organizations, is unique in its focus on reaching parents and families as a primary group for influencing children.

Learn more about We Can! and become a We Can! Site.

Source: The Presidents Challenge, Fitness Is Fun! Electronic Newsletter, December 2007.

FAST FACT! All Foods Can Fit Within a Healthful Eating Pattern

According to a new position statement from the American Dietetic Association, when it comes to striving for a healthy lifestyle, Americans should focus less on 'good foods' vs. 'bad foods' and more on their overall eating and activity patterns. All foods can fit one's diet when consumed in moderation and balanced with regular physical activity according to this 'total diet approach.' The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, MyPyramid, and the DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) all encourage nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy foods and whole grains. Each also supports the total diet approach, promoting variety, balance and moderation.

Source: Position of the American Dietetic Association: Total Diet Approach to Communicating food and Nutrition Information. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2007; 107: 1224-1232.

Milk is Effective for Rehydrating After Exercise

A new study suggests that drinking low-fat milk after exercise may promote rehydration better than water or sports drinks. Eleven young, healthy males and females drank either low-fat milk, water or sports drink after exercise. The amount was one-and-a-half times the amount of their sweat loss. Participants' fluid status was checked over the next four hours.
The researchers found the milk was more effective than the water or sports drink at replacing fluid losses and keeping participants hydrated after exercise. The authors note that milk's natural electrolytes may help the body restore fluid balance. And, milk's slower digestion due to its protein and fat components may also play a role.

Shirreffs S, et al. British Journal of Nutrition. 2007; 98: 173-180.