Disease Proof : Disease Proof : Health & Nutrition News & Commentary : Dr. Joel Fuhrman

A new study in the Journal of Happiness Studies suggests kids and adults eating fast food, like hamburgers, fries, pizza and soda, develop poor eating habits and obesity. Researchers claim children ages 2 to 12 who regularly eat fast food have a higher risk of becoming overweight. Mothers consuming fast food were more likely to have kids who eat fast food and drink more soda, but despite these kids being overweight, they were found to be happier than kids who ate less fast food. Leading scientists recommend healthy eating campaigns also focus on reduction of happiness; via Booster Shots.

Okay, even when I was a fat load, I avoided fast food like the plague. But not everyone does. In the Mediterranean, which traditionally had a healthy diet, fast food is now invading countries like Greece and muscling out good food. This does not bode well. New research found people living in neighborhoods with a lot of fast food restaurants, ate more fast food and gained more weight.

Fast food is gross and apparently indestructible too. Burgers kept in cool, dry basement will last forever and don’t decompose, seriously! But they’re great for painting pictures, like the Mona Lisa in grease.

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New findings in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine suggest eating more fiber and less sugar can lower the risk of type-2 diabetes in adolescent Latinos. For the study, 66 overweight Latino teenagers were put into three groups. One group attended weekly classes on nutrition, specifically reducing sugar and increasing fiber. Group two was given nutrition education twice a week and did some strength training. The final group served as a control. After 16 weeks teens who ate less sugar and more fiber had substantial drops in blood glucose and insulin levels; Reuters reports.

In New York City, type-2 diabetes hits ethnic groups hard as they abandon traditional diets in favor of standard American fare, 800,000 people in NYC have diabetes. Yesterday, a study showed 22% of Hispanic children in America, ages 1 to 4, are obese. Dr. Fuhrman recommends the whole family eat healthy early to promote good eating habits later in life.

In related news, research shows children going to high school within walking distance of fast food restaurants are more likely to eat less fruits and vegetables and drink more soda.

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A new study in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine claims 1 in 5 Native American preschoolers are obese. Children were considered obese if their body-mass index (BMI) placed them in the 95th percentile or higher on government growth charts. Of the 8,550 participants the rate of obesity among Asians was 13%, whites 16%, blacks 21%, Hispanics 22% and a startling 31% for American Indian children. Researchers cite possible genetic disparities as reason why, but also blame lifestyle issues such as low-income status; the Associated Press reports.

Makes sense, a recent report linked childhood poverty with an 82% higher risk of cardiovascular problems later in life and in February, researchers determined 89% of American preschoolers are not active enough. Not a good combination, especially when you consider weight gain in very young children increases their chances of becoming obese as they mature. Add all that up and you’re in a lot of trouble, no matter what race you are.

Occupation doesn't seem to matter either. Many emergency responder recruits, like ambulance drivers and firemen, are overweight and unable to meet national fitness standards. Even U.S. combat troops in Iraq are getting fat! I still can't believe that.

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