Many Kids' Cuisine Options Are Far From Lean 

Dining Out Remains A Challenge

The nation's leading table-service chain restaurants score low when it comes to providing healthy food choices for kids, according to a new study from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

In fact, says the CSPI, families might do better eating at fast-food establishments for all the nutritional value they are getting.

The study found loads of calories, bad fats, and salt in items on kids' menus at major restaurants chains across the US. The study was released at a briefing in Washington, DC.

"The trans fat, saturated fat, and sodium that are in these meals are stunningly bad," says Samantha Heller, senior clinical nutritionist at New York University Medical Center in New York City, who was not involved with the research.

Part of the problem, though, is that the consequences are not immediate, Heller says.

"The problem with these junk foods or restaurant foods is that they look good and they taste good and you don't see the harmful results for many years," Heller says. "And that's why people tend to think it's OK, because you don't see an immediate bad result."

This does not bode well for the burgeoning waistlines of the nation's children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of overweight and obese youth has almost doubled in the past 20 years.

Moreover, CSPI states, kids are getting a third of their calories from various chain restaurants. Studies show that kids eat nearly double the calories when they eat out versus eating at home.

Restaurants Offer Choices, Patrons Choose

In response to the study, the National Restaurant Association issued a statement saying: "This is yet another stale and worn-out attempt by CSPI to sensationalize an issue and feed the media and consumers with negative messages that vilify the food industry.

"The fact is that every day, our nation's 878,000 restaurants provide numerous options to accommodate all types of eating plans - South Beach, Atkins, low-calorie, vegetarian, just to name a few," the statement continues. "And, as the industry of choice and hospitality, restaurants have been incredibly responsive to meet the dietary needs and requests of all consumers, including using alternative food preparation methods - baked, grilled, broiled, poached, or steamed."

The National Restaurant Association states, "CSPI seems to continually forget in their various attempts to target foods that 'calories in' is only one part of the equation to living a healthy lifestyle. Balance and moderation in diet, complemented by physical activity, is key to healthier living. And, dietary experts maintain that there are no 'good foods' or 'bad foods,' and that all foods can be part of a balanced diet."

CSPI Points To Problems at Restaurants

For the study, CSPI analyzed children's menus at 20 of the nation's leading table-service chain restaurants. French fries were available on all but one menu. Hamburgers were offered on 85 percent of menus. Many menus offered complimentary biscuits or cornbread and dessert.

The independent lab commissioned by CSPI analyzed typical foods from leading restaurants.

Many of the menu choices met the government's daily recommendation (1,500 calories and 17 grams of saturated fat or more) in one meal.

Dramatic nutritional differences between similar items at different restaurants prompted CSPI to call for nutritional information to be provided on menus. Legislation requiring such information is pending in five states and the District of Columbia. Recently, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) announced his plan to introduce the Menu Education and Labeling Act (MEAL) in the Senate. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) introduced similar legislation in the House last year.

While much of the change must come from these higher levels, individual consumers can also make a difference, health experts say.

"People can go to their local restaurant where they probably know the manager and request healthier food options," Heller says. "It's a local restaurant even if it's a chain. The people working there are local and you get to know them."

And eating habits on the home front can make a difference when eating out. "If children are used to eating healthy choices at home, they are more likely to make healthy choices when eating out," Heller says.

Always consult your child's physician for more information.

Online Resources

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

Center for Science in the Public Interest

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Consumer Product Safety Commission

National Institute of Child Health & Human Development

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

National Youth Sports Safety Foundation

US Food and Drug Administration

April 2004

Many Kids' Cuisine Options Are Far From Lean 

Restaurants Offer Choices, Patrons Choose

CSPI Points To Problems at Restaurants

Study Shows Preventing Childhood Sports Injuries A Must

Online Resources

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Find a St. John's Mercy Physician

Children's Services at St. John's Mercy

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Study Shows Preventing Childhood Sports Injuries A Must

Sports are a great way for kids to build strength and character, to make friends, and to learn how to accept both success and defeat well.

They are also a good way for children to suffer injuries, especially if they aren't taking proper precautions.

A recent study by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  found children aged five to 14 had the highest sports-related injury rate of any age group, with 59.3 injuries per 1,000 people.

That is more than double the national average sports injury rate of 25.9 injuries per 1,000 individuals.

"The bottom line is, kids lead the list as far as injuries are concerned," says Dr. Lyle Micheli, head of the sports medicine division at Children's Hospital Boston and an associate professor of orthopedics at Harvard University.

And with April designated as National Youth Sports Safety Month, physicians are reminding parents they should make sure their children are protecting themselves when they hit the gymnasium or playing field.

It is not just contact sports such as football or ice hockey that cause injury, physicians warn.

"Any sport can be dangerous," Dr. Micheli says. "Every sport has its own risks and every athlete has their own risk factors."

Dr. Micheli notes that for children under the age of 14, sports such as gymnastics, skating, and swimming carry a high risk of injury - particularly if a child is training too much. That is when they could suffer pulled muscles, torn ligaments or other soft tissue injuries.

Knees are number one when it comes to injury, followed by ankles, he says.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says almost 4 million children aged five to 16 sustained some type of sports injury in 2002 that required medical attention.

Another 8 million children were suspected of shrugging off their injury and playing hurt. Those numbers have doubled over the past decade, according to the commission.

Parents should consider a number of factors before letting their children participate in a sport, says Rita Glassman, co-executive director of the National Youth Sport Safety Foundation.

In essence, parents have to become "second coaches" for their children, particularly since many coaches are well-meaning volunteers with little training, Glassman says.

The parents should become familiar with the sport and its inherent risks, and check out the specific program in which their child will participate.

"They should make sure the coach is certified in first aid and CPR, and also certified by the national governing body of the sport he or she is teaching," Glassman says.

Parents also can protect their children by making sure the kids:

• Use the proper protective gear for a particular sport. The right gear can lessen a child's chances of injury.
  
  
• Take part in warm-up exercises, such as stretching or light jogging. Warm-up exercises make the body's tissues more flexible. Children also should use cool-down exercises, such as a slow walk or stretching, to loosen muscles that have tightened during exercise.
  
  
• Wear sunscreen and a hat when possible to reduce the chance of sunburn while participating in outdoor sports. Sun protection may decrease the chances of malignant melanoma -- a potentially deadly skin cancer -- or other skin cancers that can occur later in life.
  
  
• Have access to water or sports drinks to stay properly hydrated while playing.

Dr. Micheli says he's a big fan of training and exercise as ways to prevent injuries in children. He recommends at least an hour of good general exercise every day.

"There's a growing concern that our kids are less fit, and less-fit kids have a greater chance of injury," Dr. Micheli says. "Strengthening tissues can reduce the mechanical stress on the body that can cause injuries in muscles, bones and ligaments."

Always consult your child's physician for more information.