Exploring Nutrition News Winter 2008-2009

• USDA Launches New Pyramid for Preschoolers
• American Academy of Pediatrics Doubles Vitamin D Recommendations
• Webcast Offers Insights for Creating Healthier Schools
• Flavored Milk Consumption Linked to Improved Body Composition in Kids
• New AAP Report on Oral Health in Children
• Milk and Fruit a Must with Fast-Food Kids' Meals

USDA Launches New Pyramid for Preschoolers
Designed especially for parents and caregivers, UDSA launched MyPyramid for Preschoolers and an accompanying, interactive Web site in October. This new nutrition tool is part of a ongoing campaign called "Project M.O.M," which USDA launched last year. MyPyramid for Preschoolers helps parents and caregivers make better food choices for 2 to 5 year-olds. The information and materials take nutrition education to the next level. Tools, such as a customizable "MyPyramid Plan," Body Mass Index (BMI) and Height for Weight charts, Sample Meal Patterns, Meal and Snack suggestions, and Kitchen Activities are included.

Access MyPyramid for Preschoolers at www.MyPyramid.gov

American Academy of Pediatrics Doubles Vitamin D Recommendations
In October, the American Academy of Pediatrics doubled the amount of vitamin D they recommend for infants, children and teens, from 200 IU to 400 IU (International Units) a day. The increase is based on new studies that show increasing children's vitamin D intake is not only safe, but also can help prevent rickets and provide life-long health benefits, such as maintaining immunity and preventing diabetes and cancer. Learn more.

Editor's Note:
Each cup of vitamin D-fortified milk provides 100 IU of vitamin D; 4 cups provide 400 IU, the new recommended amount. Some yogurts and cheeses are also fortified with vitamin D. Consuming at least three servings of vitamin D-fortified milk, or other vitamin-D fortified milk products, is one of the best ways to ensure that children get the vitamin D, as well as calcium, needed each day.

Wagner, CL, FR Greer and the Section on Breastfeeding and Committee on Nutrition. Clinical Report: Prevention of Rickets and Vitamin D Deficiency in Infants, Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics, 122(5): 1142-52, 2008.

Webcast Offers Insights for Creating Healthier Schools
"Healthy kids need healthy schools." That was the message of the Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) Call to Leadership: Elevating School Wellness to a Higher Level live Web cast aired on December 8. A panel of distinguished experts, including former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher, offered insights for how schools can overcome obstacles to providing quality nutrition and adequate physical activity, and create healthier learning environments. If you missed the live event, you can view it on the Action for Healthy Kids Web site, www.ActionForHealthyKids.org.

Flavored Milk Consumption Linked to Improved Body Composition in Kids
A recent study suggests that replacing sugar-sweetened beverages with three servings of milk a day may result in greater lean body mass and increased height in children. Ninety-eight (98) overweight and obese Chilean children ages 8-10 participated in a 16-week, weight-intervention program. Each child was randomly assigned to a group that was instructed to eliminate sugar-sweetened beverages and consume three daily servings of flavored milk (each serving was about 3/4 cup) or a control group that received no instruction. Body measurements calculated at the conclusion of the study found that replacing sugar-sweetened beverages with flavored milk resulted in increased lean body mass, and for boys, increased height.

Albala C, et al. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2008; 88:605-11

New AAP Report on Oral Health in Children
A new American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Policy Statement on Preventative Oral Health for Pediatricians recommends that children consume only water or milk between meals, rather than other beverages, to help decrease the risk of cavities and ensure the best oral health. The statement also recommends parents take the following steps to improve children's dental health and decrease their risk for cavities:

• Limit sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes
• Give children no more than 4 ounces of 100 percent juice per day
• Avoid carbonated beverages and juice drinks
• Encourage eating patterns consistent with USDA's MyPyramid

Read the complete Policy Statement.

American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Pediatric Dentistry and Oral Health. Pediatrics, 2008; 122:1387-1394.

Milk and Fruit a Must with Fast-Food Kids' Meals
Fast food meals are a reality for most families, at least occasionally, if not more often. According to a recent study, parents can take two simple steps to help ensure that kids get the nutrition they need when eating fast-food kids' meals. First, make sure they drink milk instead of soda, and second, encourage fruit as a side dish. Researchers found that the kids' meals for 12 fast restaurants that met guidelines for being nutritionally adequate all included milk and fruit. These meals also provided more iron, vitamin A and calcium, and less fat and added sugar than meals that did not meet the guidelines.

Source: O'Donnell, SI, et al. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 88: 1388-95, 2008.