Slow Food and Kids

The Slow Food movement began in Italy in 1986, and has since become an international phenomenon, with web sites, symposiums, and convivia in most, if not all, first-world countries around the globe.

The Slow Food logo is a stylized snail. For more information on Slow Food in Canada, the Perth county convivium, or the Slow Food movement in general, stay tuned, or visit slowfood.ca by clicking on the snail below.

Slow Food Philosophy
(from from the Slow Food International web site www.slowfood.com)

We believe that everyone has a fundamental right to pleasure and consequently the responsibility to protect the heritage of food, tradition and culture that make this pleasure possible. Our movement is founded upon this concept of eco-gastronomy – a recognition of the strong connections between plate and planet.

Slow Food is good, clean and fair food. We believe that the food we eat should taste good; that it should be produced in a clean way that does not harm the environment, animal welfare or our health; and that food producers should receive fair compensation for their work.

We consider ourselves co-producers, not consumers, because by being informed about how our food is produced and actively supporting those who produce it, we become a part of and a partner in the production process.

Fast-Food Fallout

Does stopping by a fast food restaurant a few times a week with your kids really make a difference in their health? A major long-term study has found a strong association between eating fast food more than twice a week and the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes in teens and young adults. CARDIA (The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study) followed more than 3000 youth in Birmingham, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Oakland for 15 years. An analysis of their fast food intake was published in the January 1, 2005 Lancet. Even after adjusting for other lifestyle factors such as physical activity and television viewing, the more often people ate fast food, the more their weight crept up over the years and the worse their body’s ability to respond to insulin. All other things being equal, those who ate fast food more than twice a week gained an extra 10 pounds and had a two-fold increase in insulin resistance compared to their peers. Meals together at home are great for families for many reasons. When eating out is in cards, be on the lookout for delicious, healthy options. Substituting fruit for French fries, low fat milk for sugary soda are little steps that can add up in a big way over time.

More than 30% of Children

On any given day, more than 30 percent of children in the U.S. will eat fast food, according to a Harvard study in the January 2004 Pediatrics. Is there a difference in health between kids who eat fast food and those who do not? This study looked at over 6000 kids. Those who did eat fast food consumed, on average, 187 calories more each day than their peers. This isn't a lot - but it can add up to a huge amount over time. They also consume an average of 9 grams more fat, 24 grams more carbs, 26 grams more sugar, and 228 grams more sweetened drinks. The differences add up to about 6 pounds of extra weight per year in the average child who eats fast food - from eating fast food 2 or 3 times a week. And all the extra calories, fat, sugar, and carbs come while eating less food total. Beyond that, these kids are missing out on important nutrients for healthy growth. They eat fewer fruits and vegetables, drink less milk, and get less fiber. All in all, not a great trade off! Eric Schlosser's wonderful book, Fast Food Nation, has helped many kids (and parents) decide for themselves that they don't want to eat this way.

Soft Drinks in Schools

The American Academy of Pediatrics started 2004 with a policy statement urging that soft drinks be eliminated from schools as an important step in turning the rising tide of childhood obesity. Pediatricians and parents can contact their local schools to weigh in on this issue. Soft drink vending machines are common in schools. Most school-aged children in the U.S. drink at least one sugared soft drink daily. These sweetened drinks (sodas and fruit drinks) are the number one source of excess sugar in children's diets. A single 12-ounce can of soda might contain the sweetening equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar, often in the unnatural form of high fructose corn syrup. The Academy suggests schools might supplement their income by vending water, real fruit juices, and low-fat milks instead. Soft drink manufacturers feel that soft drinks are being unfairly targeted. Of course, soft drinks are only one piece of the obesity puzzle. But I am pleased that the AAP policy recognizes the importance of what kids drink in their overall nutrition, and the importance of what kids eat and drink at school in their overall health.

From www.drgreene.com