ParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.comParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.com/media/feedlogo.gifParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.comen-usCopyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Food Pyramid Out, 'My Plate' in For Healthy Eatinghttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/03/food-pyramid-my-plate/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/03/food-pyramid-my-plate/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/03/food-pyramid-my-plate/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

my plate

A sample plate of the new food icon My Plate, is unveiled at the Agriculture Department. Credit: Susan Walsh, AP

WASHINGTON (AP) - There's a new U.S. symbol for healthful eating: The Agriculture Department unveiled "My Plate" on Thursday, abandoning the food pyramid that had guided many Americans but merely confused others.

The new guide is divided into four slightly different-sized quadrants, with fruits and vegetables taking up half the space and grains and protein making up the other half. The vegetables and grains portions are the largest of the four.

Gone are the old pyramid's references to sugars, fats or oils. What was once a category called "meat and beans" is now simply "proteins," making way for seafood and vegetarian options like tofu. Next to the plate is a blue circle for dairy, which could be a glass of milk or a food such as cheese or yogurt.

Some critics, including congressional Republicans, have charged the Obama administration of reaching too far in trying to make Americans eat healthier, especially when it comes to new rules that tell schools what children can eat on campus.

The new plate is simply guidance for those looking to improve their diet, however. It's supposed to be a suggestion, not a direction, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

"We are not telling people what to eat, we are giving them a guide," he said. "We're not suggesting they should not have a cookie or dessert, that's not what it's about."

Vilsack said the new round chart shows that nutrition doesn't have to be complicated. After almost 20 years of leaders preaching good eating through a food pyramid the department now says was overly complex, obesity rates have skyrocketed. He showed off the new plate with first lady Michelle Obama, who has made healthful diets for children a priority through her "Let's Move" campaign.

"Parents don't have the time to measure out exactly three ounces of protein," Mrs. Obama said as she introduced the new graphic. "We do have time to look at our kids' plates."

The department is planning to use social media - posting advice every day on Twitter, for example. The address of the accompanying website, choosemyplate.gov, is written on the chart. That website will eventually feature interactive tools that help people manage their weight and track their exercise.

The new chart is designed to be "more artistic and attractive" and to serve as a visual cue for diners, said Robert Post of the Agriculture Department's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. He has spent two years developing the plate and the website.

Even though the plate is divided into four different-sized sections, the servings don't have to be proportional, Post says. Every person has different nutritional needs, based on age, health and other factors.

The graphic is based on new department dietary guidelines released in January. Those guidelines, which are revised every five years, tell people to drastically reduce salt and continue limiting saturated fats. They say diners can enjoy food but should balance calories by eating less. The guidelines also suggest making half of your plate fruits and vegetables - a message easily translated on the dinner plate.

"We know Americans want to be healthy, but making those healthy choices is not easy, it's hard," said Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, who joined Mrs. Obama and Vilsack to unveil the plate. "We're trying to make it easier."

The guidelines and the icon were subject of lobbying by food industries who want to see their products promoted and not discouraged. Fruit and vegetable growers were celebrating their victory over half of the plate Thursday, while dairy producers said they were also pleased with the cup beside it. The president of the beef industry group National Cattleman's Beef Associaton, Bill Donald, said he is not concerned about the elimination of the word "meat" because beef is so associated with the word "protein."

The first food pyramid was introduced in 1992, with detailed descriptions of recommended foods and their portion sizes. The tip of the pyramid represented fats, oils and sweets, cautioning diners to "use sparingly."

After research showed the pyramid wasn't working, the department worked with a public relations firm and came up with an all-new pyramid in 2005 that was characterized by vertical lines of color and a stick figure walking up a staircase to symbolize exercise. At the time, officials said they wanted something motivational and recognizable. But the Obama administration eventually ditched that model, opting for something fresher.

Many nutritionists and nutrition groups praised the newest effort, crossing their fingers that people will listen.

Marion Nestle, professor of nutrition, food studies, and public health at New York University, said there are already a lot of symbols out there telling people what to eat. She said the new model isn't perfect, it's a good step forward.

"This brings it all together," she said.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. This article was written by Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

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]]>food pyramidMichelle Obamamy plateAssociated PressFri, 03 Jun 2011 10:00:00 ESTGetting Kids to Try New and Healthy Foodshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/06/getting-kids-to-try-healthy-foods/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/06/getting-kids-to-try-healthy-foods/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/06/getting-kids-to-try-healthy-foods/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Getting Kids to Try New and Healthy Foods

"How do I get my child to eat fruits and veggies?" "Is it OK for my child to take a vitamin supplement and then eat anything he wants?" "My child only eats five foods: chicken fingers, fries, applesauce, cereal and milk."

Do any of these questions and comments sound familiar? As a registered dietitian, I hear them on a weekly basis from parents. I am amazed how many "picky eaters" I encounter. I see it from infancy through adolescence. (Actually, I meet plenty of adults, too, who eat the same foods over and over again.) So what are parents to do when their kids are reluctant to try new foods?

Children learn their habits, attitudes and beliefs from their parents and other caregivers, and that includes their willingness to try new and healthy foods. For National Nutrition Month, the American Dietetic Association encourages parents to be good role models and teach their children how to appreciate nutrition and enjoy healthful eating.

Here is what sometimes happens: A parent introduces applesauce to baby. Baby likes it and eats the entire serving. The next week the parent offers pears. Baby tastes it, spits it out and makes a face. The parent does not force it and thinks, "OK, baby does not like it, so I won't offer it again." So baby is only eating the applesauce.

It is true that it often takes multiple tastes of a new food before a child accepts it -- of course, some foods require more offerings than others, and some foods are never accepted. The most important thing you can do is offer your children as many new foods as possible, as early in life as possible.

It takes much longer to accept new foods when you are older, as you may already know. I meet 10-year-old children who have never tried a fresh pear or red pepper. I am also discouraged by the statistic showing that the number one vegetable consumed by toddlers is the fried potato.

Let's commit to changing that statistic -- these tips will get you started:

  • When infants are at the stage of trying new foods, offer new foods every few days to see if there are any reactions or allergies. By the time baby is 1 year old, hopefully, baby has a varied diet of fruits, vegetables, grains and protein foods, including beans, tofu, soft meats and yogurt.
  • When toddlerhood (and independent eating) arrives, stick with meal times and avoid filling the child up on cheese, crackers and milk, or juice, before mealtime.
  • Let your child see you try new foods. Children are copycats, so if you model an interest in trying new things, there's a stronger chance that your child will, too.
  • The most important tip I can give to help get kids to taste new foods is to make sure they are hungry at mealtime. Halt snacking at least one to two hours beforehand and even longer for older children.
  • If children are labeled as "picky eaters," guess what? They will be! Let's stop the labeling and eat with our children the most nutritious meals we can provide.
If you're looking for more fun ways to get your kids excited about trying new (and nutritious) foods, see what's cooking at Fizzy's Lunch Lab on PBS KIDS GO! There are lots of great ideas and activities to inspire kids to give new foods a try.

This article was originally published on PBS Parents by Sarah Krieger, MPH, RD, LD. A national spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, Sarah Krieger developed and is lead instructor for All Children's Hospital's Fit4AllKids Weight Management and Fitness for Families program in St Petersburg, FL. The program targets families with 8-12 year olds and has a teen program for 13-18 year olds. Krieger and a research team of physicians at the University of South Florida completed a study that determined the outcomes of the program for obese teens. She continues to work per diem for All Children's on the clinical side by working with children at nutritional risk.

More From PBSParents.org:

Child Development Tracker

Expert Q&A

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Kitchen Explorers

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]]>eating healthyhealthy foodshow to get kids to eat healthy foodspicky eatersPBSParents.orgFri, 06 May 2011 17:00:00 ESTTest Scores Go Up When Learning Is Combined With Fitnesshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/03/earning-and-fitness/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/03/earning-and-fitness/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/03/earning-and-fitness/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Learning Combined with Fitness

Exercising every school day for 40 minutes in a regimen that includes flexing a few mental muscles increased test scores in elementary school students. Credit: Getty Images

In one class, you run mathematical equations. In the next, you run laps. One is for thinking. The other is for moving.

But what if you could combine thinking and learning?

With gym classes getting cut nationwide, the Los Angeles Times reports some schools are starting to ask that question. And, research suggests, creating more of a seamless web between thinking and moving might not be a bad idea.

Exercising every school day for 40 minutes in a regimen that includes flexing a few mental muscles increased test scores in elementary school students, according to research presented recently at the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting in Denver.

The research involved children from an elementary school in South Carolina, where kids hopped through ladders while naming colors found on each run. They also climbed rock walls labeled with numbers that challenged their math schools.

As a result, the Times reports, their fall test scores went from 55 percent of them meeting state education goals to 68.6 percent.

"These data indicate that when carefully designed physical education programs are put into place, children's academic achievement does not suffer," lead researcher Kathryn King, a pediatric resident at the Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital, tells the Times.

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]]>exercisefitness combined with learninggym classhealth and fitnesslearningLearning Combined with FitnessTom HendersonTue, 03 May 2011 15:00:00 ESTCan What You Eat During Pregnancy Make Your Baby Fat?http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/20/pregnancy-nutrition/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/20/pregnancy-nutrition/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/20/pregnancy-nutrition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Watch a video on what to eat during pregnancy.
baby fat

A mother's diet during pregnancy can alter the DNA of her child. Credit: Keith Brofsky, Getty Images

Moms who pack on the pounds during pregnancy aren't the only ones who end up fat and flabby. It's likely baby will need her own personal trainer and nutrition consultant to stave off obesity if Mom spends nine months giving in to her food cravings.

In a new study, British researchers found that a mother's diet during pregnancy can alter the DNA of her child and increase the risk of obesity, BBC News reports.

The study, to be published in the journal Diabetes, showed that mothers with early pregnancy diets low in carbohydrates, such as sugars and starch, had children with these markers, and that there was a strong link between these markers and a child's obesity at ages 6 and 9. The researchers found kids with these changes were fatter, according to the BBC.

As a result of the findings, the British Heart Foundation called for better nutritional and lifestyle support for pregnant women.

"What is surprising is that it explains a quarter of the difference in the fatness of children six to nine years later," Professor Keith Godfrey, who is from the University of Southampton and led the international study, tells the BBC.

Significantly, the report showed the effect was "considerably greater" than that of birth weight and did not depend on how thin or fat the mother was.

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]]>baby fatpregnancy dietpregnancy nutritionMary Beth SammonsWed, 20 Apr 2011 12:00:00 ESTPregnant Moms Who Exercise Help Baby's Heart, Too, Study Findshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/18/pregnant-moms-exercise/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/18/pregnant-moms-exercise/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/18/pregnant-moms-exercise/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Watch a video on exercising during pregnancy!

Pregnant moms who exercise deliver healthier babies, a new study finds. Credit: Getty Images

Not too long ago, it was considered healthy for pregnant moms to take a break from the gym and send their spouses out in the middle of the night for Taco Bell runs. Being with child was a great excuse to slouch on the couch and scarf up chips, ice cream or whatever you had a hankering for -- guilt-free.

But don't stash the Lululemons and Asics away in the closet just yet. A new study suggests pregnant moms who exercise will deliver healthier babies, Time magazine reports.

Researchers at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences say exercise-exposed fetuses have improved cardiovascular activity throughout the nine months in utero, according to a university release. The findings were presented at the American Physiological Society Conference.

Every four weeks throughout the pregnancies of the women studied, the researchers measured the heart rate of 66 moms and their babies from 24 weeks to term, along with breathing, body and mouth movements of moms and babies.The women were grouped according to the frequency, intensity and length of exercise and the physical activity they engaged in from moderate to intense aerobic activity. They exercised 30 minutes per session, three times a week, according to the release.

"This study suggests that a mother who exercises may not only be imparting health benefits to her own heart, but to her developing baby's heart, as well," Linda May, exercise physiologist and anatomist at Kansas City University and co-author of the study, says in the release.

At 32 weeks, researchers started to see changes in heart response in the fetuses of the exercising moms. By 36 weeks, they noted what May calls a "big, significant change" -- a lower heart rate and increased heart rate variability, according to the release.

"If she just does a little bit, it will have benefit," May tells Time. "If she does more, it will help more. It's similar to the exercise response of an adult. It's very cool."

What's more, the results continued to keep the babies' hearts pumped up after birth, she tells the magazine. Some women dropped out of the research due to attrition, but 43 moms brought their babies back when they were 1 month old. Their hearts still showed that pumped-up quality.

"It suggests the result we saw was real, and that it is giving this baby a healthier heart," May tells Time.

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]]>exercise babyexercise heartexercising while pregnantheart healthpregnancy exercisepregnant exerciseMary Beth SammonsMon, 18 Apr 2011 16:00:00 ESTHispanic Kids Don't Get Enough Exercise, Study Findshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/13/hispanic-kids-exercise/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/13/hispanic-kids-exercise/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/13/hispanic-kids-exercise/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Watch Video Related to Hispanic Exercise
hispanic children exercise

Hispanics don't exercise all that much in their spare time, a new study finds. Credit: Getty Images


After a grueling day of intense, physical, back-breaking labor, you know what you need? A little exercise.

Take Mexican farmworkers. Sure, they work their upper arms, but they often completely overlook their abs. This, apparently, is a problem in the Hispanic community.

While members of other ethnic groups make time for tummy crunches, the Los Angeles Times reports Hispanic adults don't exercise all that much in their spare time. As a result, neither do their children.

Researchers at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville worry this could lead to sedentary habits and overweight kids.

Their study concludes that Hispanic kids between ages 6 and 17 are more likely to be couch potatoes. The precise statistics are that 22.5 percent of immigrant Hispanic children, 17.2 percent of American-born Hispanic kids with immigrant parents and 14.5 percent of U.S.-born Hispanic kids with a single immigrant parent are considered sedentary. By comparison, only 9.5 percent of Anglo kids are considered inactive.

To figure out why this is, the Times reports, researchers looked at parents. They actually strapped devices on parents to find out how much moderate-to-vigorous physical activity they engaged in.

"For parents, the near-perfect lack of vigorous activity is essentially a constant," the authors observe in the study published in the journal Pediatrics. Children's lack of physical activity -- at least during leisure time -- mirrored that of their parents.

The Times reports roughly three out of 10 Mexican-American children between the ages 2 and 5 in the United States are overweight or obese.

"Overweight and obese status established by preschool has been found to persist into adolescence and adulthood," researchers write. "These striking figures should not be taken lightly."

No pun intended?

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]]>exercisehispanic exercisehispanic kidsTom HendersonWed, 13 Apr 2011 16:30:00 ESTWrist Size in Kids May Indicate Future Heart Disease Riskhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/12/heart-risk-factors/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/12/heart-risk-factors/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/12/heart-risk-factors/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Watch video and take tips from our Healthy Family Challengers on how to get your family in shape!
heart risk factors

Its all in the wrists! Credit: Getty Images

"It's all in the wrist" has new meaning for overweight kids.

Researchers have found the fatter the wrist size, the higher the risk for heart disease.

Teeny, tiny wrists signal good heath, according to Italian researchers who have discovered large wrist sizes in teens are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Larger wrists signal high levels of insulin, the hormone that gets sugar and glucose into cells, which leads to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance, in turn, is known to put people at risk for heart disease, according to MyHealthNewsDaily.

"We found a very easy-to-detect, new method to measure insulin resistance in children," researcher Dr. Raffaella Buzzetti, professor in the department of clinical sciences at Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, tells the site.

The findings suggest that doctors can measure wrist size in children to predict a future risk for heart disease, Buzzetti adds. The results of the study will be published later this month in Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association.

The researchers studied 477 children and teens with an average age of 10. They measured their wrists and body mass index, or BMI.

The larger the wrist size, the higher the children's insulin levels. Turns out, wrist circumference measurements were a more accurate indicator of insulin resistance than BMI, according to MyHealthNewsDaily.

The reason wrist size is an indicator, researchers say, is that insulin regulates bone growth, and the higher the insulin, the larger the bones -- wrist bones included.

"One of the major priorities of clinical practice today is the identification of young people at increased risk for insulin resistance," Buzzetti tells the site. "This is a very, very strong link. Wrist circumference mirrors insulin resistance levels."

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]]>heart diseaseheart risk factorsindicator of heart diseaseMary Beth SammonsTue, 12 Apr 2011 13:00:00 ESTNew Parents Eat More, Exercise Less Than Their Childless Peershttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/11/new-parents-diet-exercise/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/11/new-parents-diet-exercise/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/11/new-parents-diet-exercise/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Watch A Related Video to This Article
new parents eat more

Diet habits are worse among new parents. Credit: Getty Images


Babies add so much to their parents' lives -- love, compassion and, oh, yeah, extra pounds.

A new study out of the University of Minnesota finds exercise and diet habits are worse among new parents than young adults who don't have kids, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

"We need to find ways ... to support parents during this high-risk time," Jerica Berge, a lead author of the study, tells the newspaper, "so they can focus on their health as well as all of the demands of parenting."

Published today in the journal Pediatrics, the study finds new moms eat their veggies as often as their childless peers, but they take in more total calories, high-sugar drinks and saturated fats, according to the Star-Tribune.

"They were no different than non-moms on fruits and vegetable and whole grains," Berge tells the newspaper. "So my line of thought is they are trying to eat the right foods and trying to set the good example, but at the same time they are eating more of these fast foods like chicken nuggets because they take less time to cook."

As for logging gym time, young moms and dads spent nearly an hour less each week participating in vigorous exercise than other folks their age, the newspaper reports.

The extra calories and less frequent exercise added up to moms with higher average body mass indexes than other young women, according the Star-Tribune.

However, Berge tells the newspaper, the higher BMI could be a result of pregnancy weight gain.

The study compared answers from a survey involving 149 parents and 1,371 non-parents, the Star-Tribune reports, focusing on folks in their mid-20s with kids younger than 5.

Berge tells the newspaper if young, first-time parents can control their health during these early parenting years, it will help them and their children later in life.

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]]>dietexercisefitnessnew momsnew parentsLesley KennedyMon, 11 Apr 2011 11:15:00 ESTStart a Fitness Plan to Lose Baby Weighthttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/26/lose-baby-weight/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/26/lose-baby-weight/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/26/lose-baby-weight/#commentsFiled under:

lose baby weight

Trying to lose the baby weight? Push it! Credit: Getty Images

We know, we know: It took nine months to put on all that weight, it takes time to take it off, as well. But it isn't always easy.

New moms are often overtired and opt for poor food choices that make it difficult to lose weight after giving birth, says Helene Byrne, founder of befitmom.com.

When trying to get fit after pregnancy, pay attention to what you're eating and what you're doing, and consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. Most doctors recommend waiting six weeks after giving birth before exercising.

Byrne recommends moms follow three "80 percent" rules:
  1. When dishing out portions of food, eat 80 percent of your usual serving. It's a small step that can make a difference, she tells ParentDish.
  2. Stop eating when you're 80 percent full. This helps you avoid overeating.
  3. Make sure 80 percent of the foods you eat are really nutritious. This helps you manage your intake of less healthy foods.
Byrne, a personal trainer, also recommends moms take brisk stroller walks for 40 minutes a day. It's important to go 40 minutes because the body will begin to burn fat after 20 minutes, she says.

Walking is a great starting point for getting fit, agrees Nancy Karabaic, owner of High Energy Fitness in Silver Spring, Md. But as your baby ages and you find yourself becoming stronger, it's OK to start a more physical program, says the personal trainer who teaches classes to new moms.

"Exercise should not be strenuous in the first six weeks," she warns.

She usually suggests cardiovascular work and strength training. It's possible to do these types of exercises at home with minimal equipment, Karabaic says.

Combine walking on a treadmill or pushing a stroller with sit-ups, bench presses, seated bent rows, bicep curls, tricep presses or extensions, up rows or shrugs, alternate shoulder raises, squats, lunges or leg extensions and leg curls with ankle weights.

Do one set of 10 repetitions each. If you're not horribly sore within the next two days, you can increase to 12 repetitions. If that doesn't cause excessive soreness, try 15 repetitions the next time. If you're unsure how to perform the exercises, visit acefitness.org.

When choosing a weight, pick one that lets you feel like you could do one or two more after completing 10 repetitions -- but you're glad you don't have to.

Group your exercises so you're working your upper body one day and your lower body the next. Do not exercise the same muscle groups every day. As you get more proficient, increase the difficulty of your workout by adding more weight or more repetitions.

Karabaic also suggests doing abdominal work. Start with five regular crunches and five side-to-side crunches, adding one each day until you're up to 20 of each type. Remember to stretch after exercising, she says.

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]]>baby weight gainevergreengetting fit after pregnancylosing weightMelissa Kossler DuttonWed, 26 Jan 2011 10:00:00 ESTWhen Mom Has an Eating Disorder, Everybody Suffershttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/11/12/when-mom-has-an-eating-disorder-everybody-suffers/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/11/12/when-mom-has-an-eating-disorder-everybody-suffers/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/11/12/when-mom-has-an-eating-disorder-everybody-suffers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

When Mom has food issues, kids play Follow the Leader. Illustration by Dori Hartley

It's every mom's nightmare: Finding out your child has an eating disorder. Even worse is thinking you're probably to blame.

Teresa Coates, a 40-year-old mom and solo parent of two, was anorexic in high school. She survived on 3 Musketeers bars and not much else. After high school she continued her bizarre eating habits until one day she went into convulsions at work and was rushed to the hospital. The emergency room doctor told her if she ever wanted to have children, which she did, she would have to start eating.

Coates' daughter recently turned 13 and she worries about her. A lot. "I worry genetically about my daughter because I come from a family of very heavy women. And that was a concern when she came home from the hospital. I remember being worried about that. It's a hard thing to know you're genetically predisposed to not be thin."

She does feel, however, that her daughter is off to a much better start than she was at her age. "I came from a real working-class family. We didn't eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and the vegetables we ate came from cans. My take on healthy food wasn't really there. I've been cognizant trying to teach both my kids how to tell if food is good for you. They both read labels, a lot. They eat a lot of fruit and vegetables. They're very aware that you need to drink water."

But that doesn't mean it's easy.

"It's a constant battle in my head," Coates says. "I think about [food and eating all the time." She still resorts to mind games, vestiges from her anorexic days, like "chewing food and spitting it out, so you can taste it but not eat it," she says. "I still do stuff like that that I get really frustrated with and I don't know how to stop."

She says she's able to hide that from her daughter as well as other unhealthy food-related behaviors. "I've tried really hard not to pass on the weird eating things," she says. "Those are easy to hide."

Not so, say the experts.

"Kids are seeing various behaviors in moms [with eating disorders] and absolutely they pick it up," says Brooke Hailey, PhD, a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical director at New Directions Eating Disorders Center in Sherman Oaks, Calif. "I hear from kids who are older and come in for treatment: 'My mom never ate dinner with the family;' 'My mom would always eat a special meal and cook separately for herself;' 'My mom never eats carbohydrates, why do I have to?' They're much more influenced by what they've seen their mom do than by what they hear their mom say they should do."

Coates is in the eye of the storm in terms of her parenting with an eating disorder. Every day she struggles, wondering if and how she is going to get over her own eating issues. She doesn't want her daughter to suffer the same disordered eating and negative body-image issues like she did and, unfortunately, still does.

Tsilah Burman, a 52-year-old mother of two, found her escape hatch two years ago. After dealing with food and weight issues for almost her entire life (her doctor put her on a diet at age 11), she finally found relief in a program called Heal Your Hunger. She learned that food was just the symptom and worked through her real issues. After that, the weight came off effortlessly -- 70 pounds so far. And with that, of course, the protective layers that concealed the painful truths she tried for so long to ignore. Six months ago she separated from her husband of 23 years.

"I realized [the marriage] wasn't right, and it wasn't right from the beginning but I had made myself believe that it was. I saw that I was eating because I was angry, or tired or was in a situation I wasn't comfortable in so to hide that I would eat. My kids saw that as they grew up. I wish that I would have found and started this recovery process before I had kids so that they would grow up in an environment with a mom that was healthy around eating and [I'd be] a role model for that."

As her daughter embarks on her teen years, Coates knows it's going to become harder to shield her from disordered eating and body-image distortion: "It's not just the anorexia, it's not just the not eating, it's the whole self-hatred that comes along with that scares me more than anything."

Although at different stages of parenting and recovery, both Coates and Burman have experienced tremendous fear, shame and isolation. Yes, Burman recently found relief, but she suffered for many years in silence.

"Mothers with eating disorders would be shocked if they knew how many other mothers there are with eating disorders," says Abigail Natenshon, a psychotherapist in Illinois. "So many parents with eating disorders are so secretive about it because they think they are the only ones with these eating disorders. And they are not! There are many, many, many, many! They feel isolated and alone. They need to find each other."

Natenshon, who has been working with people with all sorts of eating disorders for more than 40 years, shares her wisdom and experience on her website, Empowered Parents, a treasure trove of resources on all things eating disorder-related.

She cites this statistic on her site: "By age 5, kids of parents with eating disorders demonstrate a greater incidence of eating disturbances, whining and depression." Some moms aren't interested in seeking recovery for whatever reason, until they realize the severe damage they are inflicting on their children. That's often all the motivation they need to seek help.

If there's one thing she wants to make clear, it's that eating disorders are curable. "Most people don't know that eating disorders are 100 percent curable. But they're curable in 80 percent of the cases," says Natenshon. "People think eating disorders are an addiction and like all addictions it never fully gets cured. That's not the case. An eating disorder is not an addiction. Aspects of it behave like an addiction, but it's not an addiction. And it's curable."

Correction, Nov.15, 2010: The original version of this article left off the quote, "But they're curable in 80 percent of the cases." The quote has since been included.

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]]>anorexiaAnorexiaNervosaanorexicbulimiabulimiceating disordereating disorder anorexiaeating disordersEatingDisorderEatingDisorderAnorexiaEatingDisordersfatJulie Z. RosenbergFri, 12 Nov 2010 16:30:00 ESTSports Carry-All Stows Your Important Stuffhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/15/sports-carry-all-stows-your-important-stuff/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/15/sports-carry-all-stows-your-important-stuff/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/15/sports-carry-all-stows-your-important-stuff/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Armpocket Sport i-20 keeps your gear in place. Credit: Armpocket


Looks like you've got one less excuse to stay home from the gym.

The Armpocket Sport i-20 is an eco-friendly, hands-free carrying system that fits all those pesky essentials -- cell phone, iPod, ID, keys, snacks and more.

Sure, there are plenty of armband systems available, but this is the first one we've found that features a clear touch-through screen that actually lets you operate your iPhone, iPod or other touch-sensitive device without removing it from the case.

This handy carrier is sweat- and water-resistant, ultra-comfortable, no-bounce and no-slip and is made from recycled plastic bottles (PET fabric) and natural bamboo rayon.

Available at Armpocket for $29.95.

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]]>exercisegeargymrunningshoppingHoney BerkFri, 15 Oct 2010 14:00:00 ESTCustomized Yoga Mats Will Inspire You to Work Outhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/14/customized-yoga-mats-will-inspire-you-to-work-out/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/14/customized-yoga-mats-will-inspire-you-to-work-out/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/14/customized-yoga-mats-will-inspire-you-to-work-out/#commentsFiled under: , ,

customized yoga mat picture

Be it beach scene, or yoga-posing bears, Yogamatic's custom mats help get you moving. Credit: Yogamatic.com

We hate to tell you this, but that baby weight? It ain't going away by itself.

Even if you're one of the genetically blessed who managed to fit back into your skinny jeans soon after delivering your bundle of joy, getting away for a little exercise will still do wonders for your peace of mind.

But getting to the gym -- or even shutting the basement door for a few minutes of solitude with your favorite "Biggest Loser" DVD -- can seem as challenging as running a 7-minute mile.

So, here's some inspiration: Yogamatic.com offers a huge variety of custom-made yoga mats and towels that you can personalize. Doing a downward dog while looking at a mat with a beach scene, favorite art work or even your baby's smiling face is much more fun that staring at some boring solid shade.

The yoga mats and yoga towels both measure 72 inches by 24 inches and come with a sueded microfiber topside that's printable edge-to-edge in full color, and is backed with an eco-friendly, recycled rubber texture, like most mats.

The yoga towel comes in it's own pouch, and folds down small to fit in your bag.

Choose from hundreds of original designs or create your own image. Those skinny jeans are calling.

Mats are $85, towels are $69, at Yogamatic.com.

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]]>baby weightBabyWeightexerciseyogayogamatic.comLesley KennedyThu, 14 Oct 2010 15:00:00 ESTParentDish's Healthy Families Challenge: On Your Mark, Get Set ...http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/01/parentdishs-healthy-families-challenge-on-your-mark-get-set/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/01/parentdishs-healthy-families-challenge-on-your-mark-get-set/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/10/01/parentdishs-healthy-families-challenge-on-your-mark-get-set/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

... and go!

At the starting line we have:

1. Four revved-up families.
2. A list of attainable goals.
3. An action-packed roster of opportunities to get healthier by moving more and eating better.
4. And eight whole months devoted to feeling alive and looking great.

Meet the Families:

amy hatch family pictures

Credit: Kathleen Nealon

The Hatch-Palucks, two parents and two young kids from Urbana, Illinois, all planning to teach their genes the meaning of the word longevity with a new, improved food-and-fitness plan featuring fewer carbs, more cardio.


diedra jackson family pictures

Credit: Jackson Family

The Jacksons, a single mom and her son from Oxford, Mississippi. She's bent on getting her svelte back through diet and exercise; he wants to increase his rule in the tween sports world.


quintana family pictures

Credit: Quintana Family

The Quintanas, a Miami-based mom, dad and four kids (three of them teens!). They're looking to kick some butt on the martial arts mats. Not to mention to make sense of their vegan-carnivore-fast food menu.

drevitch family pictures

Credit: Drevitch Family

And the Drevitches, an overscheduled New York City family of five, including three kids who excel at completely different activities. Mom and Dad need to find "parent time" for working out. And the kids? Well, they need to make friends with fruits and vegetables.

Join us every week, beginning Monday, October 4th, and watch our Healthy Families Challengers journey along the fitness path.

Feel free to chime in and cheer them on.

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]]>Carole BradenFri, 01 Oct 2010 09:00:00 ESTOpinion: Don't Pressure Us to Fit Into Our Teen Jeans, Brookehttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/24/opinion-dont-pressure-us-to-fit-into-our-teen-jeans-brooke/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/24/opinion-dont-pressure-us-to-fit-into-our-teen-jeans-brooke/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/24/opinion-dont-pressure-us-to-fit-into-our-teen-jeans-brooke/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Apparently, not even 30 years, two kids and good sense comes between Brooke Shields and her Calvins.

This week, in an appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," the 45-year-old model, mom and actress revealed that she still fits into the famous Calvin Klein jeans she wore 30 years ago in her controversial jeans ad for the designer's denim.

"They didn't look pretty," she offered, "but they fit."

In case you've blocked out the '80s -- the decade of "Flashdance" leg warmers and "Working Girl" hair -- let me refresh your memory.

The innuendo-packed 1980 Calvin Klein ad features 15-year-old Shields sitting provocatively with her legs spread open, whistling "My Darling Clementine" (what's that about?) and suggestively offering, "You want to know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing."

Continue reading Opinion: Don't Pressure Us to Fit Into Our Teen Jeans, Brooke

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]]>anorexiabrooke shieldsBrookeShieldseating disordersEatingDisordersHoney BerkFri, 24 Sep 2010 17:54:00 ESTMaternity Workout Apparel Fit for 2http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/23/maternity-workout-apparel-fit-for-two/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/23/maternity-workout-apparel-fit-for-two/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/23/maternity-workout-apparel-fit-for-two/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

maternity workout clothes apparel

Get fit with your little workout partner. Credit: For Two Fitness


If you're exercising for two, you'll love these unique tank tops from For Two Fitness, which couple fun workout phrases with cute line drawings.

Our favorite designs are "spinning for two," with a drawing of a tricycle, and "six pack abs," featuring six baby bottles. But there are quite a few more to choose from, whether you're into running, yoga or toning.

The comfy racerback tanks are made from a silky soft cotton and spandex blend. Also, they're generously-sized to keep you covered as your belly grows, with side ruching that complements your growing bump.

Available at For Two Fitness for $39.99.

Related: Socks That Rule the School

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]]>exercisefitness gearFitnessGearmaternity wearMaternityWearpregnancyshoppingworkoutHoney BerkThu, 23 Sep 2010 14:00:00 ESTObesity Rates May Be Higher as Parents Go Light When Reporting Kid's Weighthttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/08/obesity-rates-may-be-higher-as-parents-go-light-on-their-kids-w/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/08/obesity-rates-may-be-higher-as-parents-go-light-on-their-kids-w/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/08/obesity-rates-may-be-higher-as-parents-go-light-on-their-kids-w/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Obesity in children

More than 23 million U.S. kids and teenagers are battling obesity. Credit: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images


Fibbing about your weight on your driver's license? That's practically the norm. Under-reporting how much your kids weigh? Apparently, that's not uncommon, either.

As we enter the first National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, scientists say under-reporting children's weight may be a widespread problem. In fact, estimates of obesity and body mass index (BMI) based on data supplied by parents may actually miss one in five obese children, according to a press release from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

Researchers at the organization's annual summer conference compared the height and weight of 1,430 children at an orthopedic clinic with the numbers their parents reported, and found almost half the parents were off on their measurements.

"Parents tend to overestimate boys' height and underestimate girls' height," the study's lead author, Dr. Daniel O'Connor, says in the release, adding that the error was larger when the parent reporting was the opposite sex of the child.

Continue reading Obesity Rates May Be Higher as Parents Go Light When Reporting Kid's Weight

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]]>childhood obesityChildhoodObesityobesityresearchHoney BerkWed, 08 Sep 2010 18:00:00 ESTGive Me 10 ... Thousand: Parents Shell Out Small Fortunes for Kids' Personal Trainershttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/08/give-me-10-thousand-parents-shell-out-small-fortunes-for-ki/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/08/give-me-10-thousand-parents-shell-out-small-fortunes-for-ki/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/08/give-me-10-thousand-parents-shell-out-small-fortunes-for-ki/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Kid serious about soccer? Better get her a trainer now. Credit: Getty


Earning a spot on the Little League roster is no longer enough. Parents are now investing in personal trainers to make sure their kid becomes the star player, sacrificing savings and sometimes their child's health in the process.

Youth sports training has grown into a $4.5 billion industry, according to IBISWorld, an industry and market research group. And, for trainers who are increasingly marketing themselves to kids and their folks, it can be a bonanza, with some charging $300 an hour for their services.

The number of kids who use health clubs has more than doubled since 1990, and more than half of fitness professionals now offer one-on-one personal training for kids 18 and younger, according to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. But, as more kids get additional training, their teammates who don't pay for outside help can see their performance lag and end up riding the bench.

"If they want to be competitive, they don't have a choice," says Michele Stephenson, a Brooklyn, N.Y. mom whose sons, ages 9 and 16, attend BlueStreak, a specialized sports training program at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan. "If they want to eventually play college, which they're hoping for, then they need to do some individualized training."

Continue reading Give Me 10 ... Thousand: Parents Shell Out Small Fortunes for Kids' Personal Trainers

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]]>athleticschildren athletesChildrenAthleteskids and sportsKidsAndSportspersonal trainersPersonalTrainerssportsRonda KaysenWed, 08 Sep 2010 16:45:00 ESTFight Childhood Obesity ... With Pole Dancinghttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/28/fight-childhood-obesity-with-pole-dancing/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/28/fight-childhood-obesity-with-pole-dancing/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/28/fight-childhood-obesity-with-pole-dancing/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Students perform a routine at a pole-dancing school in Colombia. Credit: Raul Arboleda, AFP / Getty Images

Hey, kids! Are you looking for a way to stay in shape and to prepare for a future career? Try a pole-dancing class designed just for you and your little friends.

Scotland's Up Yer Pole (no, really), "an established pole-dancing school since 2002," announced it will soon be offering classes for kids ages 9 to 16. For about $8 per 60-minute class, kids can take a class that focuses on "strength, balance, flexibility and gymnastic based moves in a safe and fun environment," according to its website.

Also, Up Yer Pole wants you to know that it is a serious school.

"This is not just wiggling around a pole, this is fitness & specifically body conditioning & strength training," the website states.

And there's even more good news, parents. Kids can leave their bikinis and Lucite platform heels at home, since sneakers are perfectly acceptable, which really makes all the difference when you're drawing the line between adult behavior and children's behavior.

Related: Is This 'Single Ladies' Video Too Hot for Tots?

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]]>childhood obesityChildhoodObesitypole dancingPoleDancingColleen EganWed, 28 Jul 2010 18:14:00 ESTBuzz Kids: Are Coffee Drinks Safe for Children?http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/19/buzz-kids-are-coffee-drinks-safe-for-children/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/19/buzz-kids-are-coffee-drinks-safe-for-children/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/07/19/buzz-kids-are-coffee-drinks-safe-for-children/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

PRODUCTION PLAYER! DO NOT DELETE.


Has your kid been talking about her new friend Joe?

If so, you're not alone. Coffee drinking is on the rise among tweens and teens, which is sparking health concerns.

"Kids are really overscheduled these days," Dr. Roshini Raj tells the "Today" show. "They have so many extracurricular activities, plus their homework -- they're looking for ways to really stay awake."

There aren't federal guidelines about the amount of caffeine kids can safely consume, but Dr. Nancy Snyderman says she's more concerned about how many calories are in coffee drinks.

Continue reading Buzz Kids: Are Coffee Drinks Safe for Children?

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]]>caffeinekids and coffeeKidsAndCoffeeColleen EganMon, 19 Jul 2010 17:00:00 ESTYoung Girls Who Drink Soda Are Less Healthy as Adolescents, Study Showshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/09/young-girls-who-drink-soda-are-less-healthy-as-adolescents-stud/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/09/young-girls-who-drink-soda-are-less-healthy-as-adolescents-stud/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/09/young-girls-who-drink-soda-are-less-healthy-as-adolescents-stud/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Sip safely. Credit: Getty Images


We know soda may not be the most nutritious choice when it comes to beverages, but a recent study shows girls who drink soda as young children have less healthy diets through adolescence than their peers who passed on soft drinks.

Researchers followed 170 girls from the age of 5 to 15, and found that those who drank soda at the age of 5 had higher intakes of sugar and lower intakes of key nutrients than the girls who didn't drink soda, according to an article in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. That remained true for the 10 years of the study.

The girls who drank soda consumed far less milk than the girls who didn't; milk contains all the nutrients the soda drinkers were missing except for fiber. The non-soda drinkers drank more than 10 ounces of milk a day when they were 5, while the soda drinkers drank fewer than seven ounces, the article says.

Continue reading Young Girls Who Drink Soda Are Less Healthy as Adolescents, Study Shows

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]]>milknutritionpopsodasoft drinksSoftDrinksMonique El-FaizyWed, 09 Jun 2010 14:00:00 EST