On March 28, 2012, Dr. Fals was featured on Orlando's Channel 9 WFTV with other health and wellness doctors and longevity experts from Florida Hospital and Dr. Oz regarding How to Live a Healthy 100...  It is a great 20-minute review of healthy living tips and latest research discussed!

Mission: fit Possible -- Health and Wellness Coming to Orlando Schools

On October 25 in Orlando, there was an amazing launch of an exciting health and wellness school outreach program that will begin in early 2012!
Florida Hospital for Children's Healthy 100 Kids, WebMD fit and HealthWorks! have joined forces with  local schools to teach kids about living a healthy life in a fun, lasting way!  Physical activity and nutrition education along with stressing the importance of rest is combined with silliness, goofiness, and lots of fun -- this curriculum is already a big hit with the kids!
City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer showed his support declaring October 25, 2011 as "fit day"!
Click below to see the youtube video of this event (provided by FHFC media department).  This event is also featured in the Orlando Sentinel.

Picture by FHFC Media

Halloween Candy: is one really better than the other?

Halloween is just around the corner and you are trying to get your kids to eat healthier... what is one to do with so much candy staring at us in the face?
Check out the Halloween Treat Picker in Cooking Light magazine this month October 2011-- it is an excellent way to view different assortments of candies in terms of their sugar and saturated fat content (saturated fat = not-so-good, eat the least amount that you can).
As you look at it, please keep in mind the portion sizes -- there are Fun Sizes and regular size candy bars / packages as well.  It is important to compare 'apples with apples' not 'apples with oranges' ...

Least amount of sugar, saturated fat, and calories : Laffy Taffy and Smarties
Most amount of sugar, saturated fat, and calories: Reese's Pieces and Milky Way

Remember that balance is always the key, so do enjoy those peanut M&Ms once in a while with your kids!

Picture by A. Fals, Cooking light magazine

Separating obese kids from their parents

A recent commentary published in the Journal of the American Medical Association led to the production of the article presented by FOX News "Should Parents Lose Custody of Super Obese Kids?" JUly 13, 2011. Very accurately described as a "provocative commentary", it is vitally important to keep it in mind that it is exactly that... a commentary. This is an educated person's opinion worth listening to and considering which must be taken within its proper context. Commentaries, in general, are important to read, as they often challenge one's core of beliefs and values, shaking their foundations at times.

This is an extremely controversial subject and equally passionate advocates of both sides are quick to make their voices heard. Right or wrong, the recurring theme, however, is that, in general, differing parties seem to have a genuine concern for today's children. Our children are, truly, in grave danger ... and for some children, they are staring the danger in the face NOW, in addition to the dangers awaiting them in the future. Because of this reality, the medical community does, at times, support the Court's difficult decision to separate a child from their parent.

Before formulating one's final opinion on this delicate subject, keep a few important points in mind:

• There is "No Let Up in US Obesity Epidemic" (medscape) -- this threat is not going away any time soon (to see the latest statistics on adult and childhood obesity rates click on the article "F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2011" Trust for America's Health). Therefore, action must be taken in some appropriate form or another.
• Parents need to be given the skills and tools necessary to be proactive about taking their child's health back in their hands. There are many reasons for this (to name a few) -- many parents lack the education to be parents, others have strenuous financial pressures that require them to leave their children for long hours or days at a time and their kids find themselves raising themselves.
• Children and teens are sponges (even when you think they are not listening, they are). Do not underestimate the power of a child's mind -- at every moment possible, children and teens must be provided with age-appropriate healthy lifestyles education and plenty of opportunities to practice these under reliable supervision.
• Turn awareness into action. Now that we know, we are responsible for doing something about it.

The call is there, the need is evident... what are you going to do to make a difference in the children in your community? In your neighborhood? In your household?

Picture by A. Fals - family at grocery store learning together about food label reading and healthier shopping choices

My Plate - USDA revamps the Pyramid

Introducing... the new... drumroll, please.... My plate !!
So, the latest is that the USDA has now rolled out its new recommendations on nutrition in a simplified manner. They have now replaced the food pyramid (which has been around for many, many years) with this plate that really makes nutrition much more simple.
It has been heavily criticized by some and defended by others already, in just its first week of debut. But the reality is that the American people needed something more direct and easier for not only busy parents but kids and teens to capture.

	Balancing Calories
	●	Enjoy your food, but eat less.
	●	Avoid oversized portions.
	Foods to Increase
	●	Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
	●	Make at least half your grains whole grains.
	●	Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.
	Foods to Reduce
	●	Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals ― and choose the foods with lower numbers.
	●	Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

www.choosemyplate.gov

One thing to keep in mind: Keeping things this straightforward and easy for kids and adults alike to understand decreases the chances that eating disorders will be fostered -- and this is an extremely dangerous bridge that you don't ever want to cross. Gone are the days now where exact calorie-counting is stressed or measuring cups are usual meal preparation tools. Now, it is much easier to just fill up your plate with 1/2 veggies and fruits and the rest divided into protein and grains with a bit of dairy on the side.
Perhaps this plate will evolve into something with a little bit more substance and guidance as time goes by, as, for example, it does not mention what size plates this is based on and, in general, we are using MUCH larger plates than we should -- but it is a definite step in the right direction for families and the important lifestyles education that will ensure them a healthy life for years to come!

Design by www.choosemyplate.gov / USDA

Doctors and Social Media: Dr. Fals on FOX News

Dr. Fals is interviewed by FOX 35 NEws... the story goes national!
(week of march 14, 2011)

Natural and Artificial Sweeteners

More and more people, including teens and kids are adding not only more sugar to their daily diets, more than the recommended amount, but also artificial sweeteners. Is there any harm in these? Have you ever wondered, "What, really, is the difference in using regular sugar versus Splenda? What about all this talk I hear now about the new sweetener called Stevia?" How do you know which are safe? How do you know which ones are questionable?

All great questions without easy, straighforward answers...

Late last year in September of 2010, Real Simple magazine published an article entitled "A Guide to Natural and Artificial Sweeteners". It is a well-written concise report on 7 natural and articial sweeteners that helps to eliminate the mystery on many of these products. Four subcategories are addressed with each one: "What it is, Also goes by, Where you'll find it, and Good to know".

It is definitely worth your while and can help you explain these additives to your children and teens!

"Rasberry on a Mound of Sugar" Photo by Sarrobi, Dreamstime