Teens: Eat More – Weigh Less
New
research from the University Of Minnesota School Of Public
Health shows that teenagers who eat breakfast on a regular
basis tend to weigh less, exercise more, and eat a healthier
diet than teens that usually skip breakfast. The research
is published in the March, 2008, issue of the medical
journal Pediatrics.
The
study followed 2,216 adolescents and their lifestyle habits
for five years beginning at age 14. The researchers were
surprised to discover that the more regularly the teens ate
breakfast, the lower their body mass index was. Body mass
index, or BMI, is a ratio of height and weight. Those who
always skipped breakfast on average had a higher BMI.
According to previous research, 12 to 34 percent of children
and teens age 6 to 19 regularly skip breakfast and we also
know that 25% of 6 to 19 year olds are overweight or obese.
The researchers also warned about rates of obesity, which
have doubled in children and nearly tripled in adolescents
over the past two decades, according to a 2007 report by the
U.S. Surgeon General’s Office. Obesity has been clearly
linked to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, asthma and
diabetes.
Many
people assume that skipping meals will help them to lose
weight. In reality, when we skip a meal the body thinks
that food is scarce so it slows the metabolism protect us
from starving -we then have less energy so we burn fewer
calories. On top of that, the next meal that we eat after
skipping a meal is converted to fat and stored around the
waste and hips as protection from starvation. The net
result of skipping meals, especially breakfast, is a slower
metabolism, less energy and more production of body fat.
The Wholefood Farmacy offers a delicious and
convenient way to eat a healthy breakfast each and every
day. Start with a healthy whole grain food such as oatmeal
or cream of wheat and then add some Organic
Phi Plus, Organic
Cranberry Phi, Organic Coco Cherry Phi, TropiPhi or
Fruitalicious Plus. It’s quick, it’s easy, it’s healthy and
it can help your teens to maintain a healthy weight and
lifestyle.
Make 5 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day your
goal this summer and lead your children towards a life of
health, happiness, vitality, and longevity.
As always, we are at your service,
The Wholefood Farmacy Team
