The new dietary guidelines for children, which have just been released by the American Heart Association (AHA), are geared towards combating the obesity epidemic.
That's according to an article published in the Sept. 27 issue of Circulation.
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"This revision responds to the obesity epidemic that has emerged since the publication of the last statement that addressed children's nutrition from the AHA and has new focuses on both total caloric intake and eating behaviours," write Samuel S. Gidding, MD, and colleagues from the AHA.
Globally, more than 22 million children younger than five are currently suffering from obesity. In school-going children, this figure increases to 155 million. It is also estimated that by the year 2020, half the girls and a third of all boys in the world will be overweight.
Cut in calorie-dense foods
"The revision strongly conveys the message that foods and beverages that fulfill nutritional requirements are appropriate for growing and developing infants, children and adolescents," the authors write. "Calorie-dense foods and beverages with minimal nutritional content must return to their role as occasional discretionary items in an otherwise balanced diet."
According to an article published by Medscape, the new set of guidelines differ in the sense that it allows for a more liberal intake of unsaturated fat, with a strong focus on the adequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids. It also emphasises foods that are rich in nutrients and that provide increased amounts of dietary fibre.
Recommendations that are similar to those in previous guidelines are for restriction of saturated and trans-fatty acids, and the inclusion of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, low-fat dairy products, fish, poultry and lean meats.
What the authors recommend
For children older than two years and their families, the authors recommend:
Balancing dietary calories with physical activity to maintain normal growth.
Sixty minutes of moderate to vigorous play or physical activity every day.
Daily intake of vegetables and fruit (with limited juice intake).
Use of vegetable oils and soft margarines low in saturated fat and trans-fatty acids instead of butter or most other animal fats.
Consumption of more wholegrain breads and cereals rather than refined-grain products.
Reduced intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and foods.
Daily use of fat-free or low-fat milk and dairy products.
Increased consumption of fish (especially oily fish, grilled or baked).
Reduced salt intake, including salt from processed foods.
To meet these recommendations, the guidelines suggest that parents:
Reduce added sugars, including sugar-sweetened drinks and juices.
Use canola, soybean, safflower oil or other unsaturated oils instead of solid fats during food preparation.
Use recommended portion sizes on food labels when preparing and serving food.
Use fresh, frozen and canned vegetables and fruit at every meal.
Limit added sauces and sugar.
Regularly serve fish as an entrée.
Remove the skin from poultry before eating.
Use only lean cuts of meat and reduced-fat meat products.
Limit high-calorie sauces.
Eat wholegrain breads and cereals rather than refined products.
Replace meat with legumes and tofu for some entrées.
Replace breads, breakfast cereals and prepared foods that are high in salt and/or sugar with high-fibre, low-salt, low-sugar alternatives.
Food pyramid for kids
Meanwhile, the US Department of Agriculture has introduced its first food pyramid specifically aimed at 6- to 11-year-old kids, according to HealthScout.
The Web-based pyramid includes an interactive computer game and stresses good eating habits, including fruit and vegetables, whole grains and healthy sources of protein. It also recommends at least 60 minutes of exercise every day.
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