Message Replying To

From Annie, Age 14

Hey ppl, I just wanted to say that I read a small article in Woman’s Day magazine about an article on Teen Dieting. Here it is: TEENS SHOULD DITCH THE DIET- BUT EAT A HEALTHY BREAKFASTEncouraging your overweight teenager to diet may end up doing more harm than good, according to a recent study. Researchers at Children’s Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School followed more than 8,000 girls and almost 7,000 boys between 1996 and 1999. During that time one out of four girls and about one of 10 boys dieted sometimes and 4 percent of girls and 2 percent of boys dieted frequently. The more frequently the child dieted the more weight he or she gained. Much of the weight gain was attributed to binge eating, which was more common among kids who dieted. This confirms my long-held belief that increasing exercise and making better food choices for the whole family is the most effective way to control weight.One of these food choices, another recent study suggests, should be the right kind of breakfast. Researchers at Oxford University tested whether low-glycemic-index (GI) breakfasts-meaning those low in carbs-affected how man calories children consumed at lunch. The theory is that foods low in carbs do not stimulate the release of as much insulin, which can lead to increased hunger.The scientists fed either low-, medium- or high-GI breakfasts in rotation to children 9 through 12. All three breakfasts had the small number of calories. They were then served a buffet-style lunch. When children ate a low-GI breakfast, they consumed 150 to 200 fewer calories at lunch than when they ate a breakfast with a high GI, and when they ate a medium-GI breakfast they saved 120 to 170 calories.In other words, having sugared cereal or a doughnut for breakfast can foster overeating at lunch, while eating eggs and whole-wheat toast may help control weight. It remains to be seen if a low-glycemic index diet is good for kids, but cutting out sugary breakfasts certainly can’t hurt.~annie