Sacramento Head Start Alumni Association

NUTRITION & YOUR CHILD

Nov 08, 2001

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

#1 Breastfeeding 'Remodels' Moms' Bones
#2 Study Traces Roots of Obesity in Hispanic Children
#3 Daughters Follow Moms' Lead When Choosing Beverages
#4 CNRC Expert 'D'-mystifies Nutritional Rickets
#5 Pediatrician Group concentrates Efforts to Limit Juice (special
e-newsletter article)
#6 Q&A
#7 Events and Conferences
#8 Houston-Area Volunteer Opportunities
#9 Editor's Notes
A Note about Computer Viruses
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#1 BREASTFEEDING ?‘REMODELS?’ MOM'S BONES
_______________________________________

New mothers who choose to breastfeed not only help their babies. They
could also be building healthier bones for themselves, according to a
two-year CNRC study.

"Lactation triggers bone loss in areas prone to fractures later in
life, such as the hip, wrist, and spine," said Dr. Judy Hopkinson, a CNRC
lactation physiologist and a Baylor associate professor of pediatrics.
"However according to our study, this 'lost' bone is completely replaced
with fresh, new bone within two years of delivery."

According to Hopkinson, this bone-loss/bone-recovery cycle, or
remodeling, provides a breastfeeding mother?’s body a unique opportunity to
repair tiny flaws, or microfractures, when the replacement bone is built.
Microfractures are thought to contribute to osteoporosis fractures later
in life.

Earlier research questioning whether breastfeeding is the best option
for women with osteoporosis risk concerns prompted the study.

"We wondered whether women really had to choose between what's best for
their babies and what's best for their bones," Hopkinson said. "Our
findings suggest this is not the case."

Hopkinson monitored the bone densities of 76 new mothers over a period
of two years post delivery. Half breastfed their infants, the others
chose to formula-feed. Bone densities were measured at regular intervals
using a sensitive bone scan called DXA. The DXA scan can detect small
changes in the densitities of specific bones and bone regions, as well
as the entire skeleton.

Perhaps not surprisingly, bone loss was only found in breastfeeding
mothers. However, in addition to finding complete bone recovery by two
years postpartum, Hopkinson also found that mothers who had breastfed for
nine or months or less had nearly three percent more bone than right
after delivery. Mothers who breastfed longer, between 10 and 24 months,
were also gaining more bone, but at a slower rate. Hopkinson believes
that if the study had been longer, significant bone gains would have
been found in this group as well.

During her study, Hopkinson also found that pregnancy itself appears
trigger changes in bone structure. She is investigating these findings
in a new study, which monitors pre-pregnancy and postpartum bone
densities to better understand how pregnancy affects maternal bone.

"How a new mother feeds her baby clearly affects where and how quickly
she will deposit fresh bone, which could have an impact on her
long-term bone health," Hopkinson said.



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#2 NEW STUDY TRACES ROOTS OF OBESITY IN HISPANIC CHILDREN
_________________________________________________________

A new CNRC study, Viva la Familia, is tracking down the reasons why
obesity is more common among Hispanic children.
According to government statistics, childhood obesity has increased
significantly in the United States over the past 10 years and is highest
among Hispanic boys and girls.

"Obese children are more likely to suffer additional health problems
like insulin-resistant diabetes, high blood pressure, and orthopedic
disorders," said Dr. Nancy Butte, a CNRC energy expert and Baylor associate
professor of pediatrics.

While environmental factors such as diet and physical activity
certainly affect weight gain, the fact that obesity tends to run in families
suggests that genetic factors are also involved.

"Yet, while much has been written about children who are overweight,
little is known about why Hispanic children in particular tend to be more
at risk for obesity," Butte said.

To help find the answer, Butte is inviting Houston-area Hispanic
families to join Viva la Familia. In addition to interviewing children about
their diets, and measuring their physical fitness levels, metabolic
rate, and physical activity patterns, the study involves body composition
measurements of the entire family and genetic screening that looks for
factors linked to obesity among related individuals.

Butte believes that the genetic screening results could one day lead to
tests that enable health professionals to step in and help at-risk
children long before excess pounds start adding up.

And, by providing insight into these children?’s diet and physical
activity habits, the study?’s individual and family profiles could lead to
improved programs that treat obese children and prevent obesity in their
siblings.

"Identifying tools that help prevent childhood obesity is critical,"
Butte said. "But just as importantly, we need learn how to help obese
children and their families make permanent lifestyle changes that improve
the child?’s weight status."

"Because for many obese children, weight loss alone can reverse health
problems associated with obesity," she said.

********************
For more information
call: 713-798-7002.
********************



----------------------------------
NEW RESOURCE: Your Child?’s Weight
----------------------------------

Your Child?’s Weight, a new brochure for parents from Baylor?’s Office of
Health Promotions and the CNRC, outlines common causes of weight
problems in children. The brochure aslo offers suggestions on how to deal
with weigh issues as a family, suggests strategies for success and
provides a list of additional resources for families.

To obtain a free copy, send your name and address to the Nutrition
Information Service at the CNRC (address right). Or, download an
easy-to-read pdf-file copy from: http://www.bcm.tmc.edu/cnrc/weight.htm


______________________________________________________

#3 DAUGHTERS FOLLOW MOM?’S LEAD WHEN CHOOSING BEVERAGES
______________________________________________________

Mothers who want their growing daughters to have strong, healthy bones
take heed: Actions really do speak louder than words.

In a new study, Dr. Jennifer Fisher, a CNRC behavioral nutrition
researcher and Baylor assistant professor of pediatrics, found that mothers
who routinely drank milk had daughters who did the same. Likewise,
mothers who avoided milk had daughters who imitated that behavior.

"Parents underestimate how much their own food and beverage choices
influence the nutritional content of their children?’s diets," said Fisher,
whose three-month study involved nearly 200 pairs of 5-year-old
European-American girls and their mothers.

Increased awareness of how parental actions influence children?’s
choices appears warranted. Fisher also found that mother-daughter pairs who
drank less milk consumed more non-juice and soft dinks beverages -- and
less calcium overall.

"Girls who consumed more than one serving of non-juice or soft drink
beverage daily consumed an average of 150 milligrams more calcium per day
than their study peers," she said.

Because calcium-poor diets during childhood could increase the risk for
osteoporosis later in life and fractures during childhood, ensuring
kids get plenty of calcium is important, Fisher said.

Although nutrition scientists know that adolescence is the peak period
for bone development, national dietary surveys suggest that children?’s
calcium consumption drops dramatically with age. The average 9- to
18-year-old consumes just over half of the 1300 milligrams of calcium
recommended for this age group each day.

Fisher hopes that her study results will encourage mothers to
capitalize on their ability to influence their daughters?’ choices.

"Our results suggest that by simply being a good role model and making
milk more available in the home, mothers can increase the amount of
calcium their daughters consume," she said.

Mothers who can?’t drink milk can still help their daughters develop
bone-healthy habits by making a point of consuming calcium-fortified and
calcium-rich foods, and enjoying weight-bearing exercises, which also
have bone-building benefits, she added.

RELATED RESOURCES
Bone Builders -- http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/fcs/bb/ Information
about nutrition and the calcium content of foods from the University of
Arizona.

Calcium & Bones -- http://www.calciuminfo.com See the Kids' Corner to
bone up on fun and educational activities related to calcium and
health.


_________________________________________________

#4 CNRC EXPERT 'D'- MYSTIFIES NUTRITIONAL RICKETS
_________________________________________________

News that rickets is making a comeback has caused considerable concern
for many parents. Yet, according to experts at the CNRC, the most
common cause of this bone-deforming disease -- vitamin D deficiency -- can
easily be prevented.

Rickets is a "soft-bone" disease that can stunt growth and make
children bow-legged.

"Vitamin D is an unusual vitamin because the body can make all it needs
when the skin is exposed to reasonable amounts of sunlight," said Dr.
Steven Abrams, a Baylor professor of pediatrics who studies calcium and
bone metabolism at the CNRC. "But, when modern lifestyles and cultural
factors limit children?’s sun exposure, dietary vitamin D becomes
essential."

Often called the "sunshine vitamin," vitamin D is actually a hormone
required for proper calcium absorption and bone mineralization.

Infants and children, as well as adults through age 50, require 200 IU
of vitamin D each day. Infant formulas are fortified with the
necessary amount, but human milk contains relatively little. As a result, the
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends supplemental vitamin D,
usually in the form of a multi-vitamin drop, for breastfed babies who might
be at risk for rickets. However some experts also advocate routine
vitamin D supplementation for all breastfed babies.

"Human milk provides complete nutrition for the first six months of
life, providing an infant?’s exposure to sunshine is adequate," Abrams
said. "But, when exposure is limited, exclusively breast-fed infants need
supplemental vitamin D."

Although relatively rare, children and toddlers can also develop
rickets when sun exposure and food sources of vitamin D are limited.

"Preventing nutritional rickets is not difficult," Abrams said. "But,
parents need to be aware of how their breastfed infants, and children
who don?’t spend much time outdoors, are obtaining vitamin D."

-------------------
VITAMIN D and FOOD:
-------------------

Few foods other than halibut, salmon, cod, and herring are naturally
good sources of vitamin D. As a result, federal law requires that milk
contain 400 IU of vitamin D per quart to help prevent rickets in
children. However, because this law does not apply to other dairy products
such as yogurt, ice cream and cheese, or to milk substitutes like soy and
rice 'milk' beverages, parents need to become vitamin-D savvy,
especially if their children do not spend much time outdoors.

To check for vitamin D content, look for the %DV of vitamin D* on food
labels, which will only appear if the food contains this nutrient. In
addition to milk and some soymilk beverages, several ready-to-eat
cereals are also fortified with vitamin D. For fresh foods that don?’t have
labels, check for vitamin D content using the USDA?’s powerful on-line
food composition table
(http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgi-bin/nut_search.pl).


*Keep in mind that the %DV for vitamin D is based on a level of 400 IU,
which is twice the amount that children need each day.

For a complete list of the nutritient levels that form the basis of the
%DV on food labels, see http://www.bcm.tmc.edu/cnrc/percentDV.html


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

#5 PEDIATRICIAN GROUP CONCENTRATES EFFORTS TO LIMIT JUICE -- a bonus
story for our e-news and web-readers!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

When it comes to food, nutritionists recommend "all things in
moderation." But, few parents realize that these words of wisdom apply to
healthy foods, too.

"Because fruit juice is a healthy choice for children, parents may not
consider putting limits on its consumption," said Dr. Carlos Lifschitz,
a pediatric gastroenterologist who studies carbohydrate absorption at
the Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine
in Houston. "But, because fruit juice is easy to drink and tastes good,
it is also easy to over-consume."

According Lifschitz, while fruit juice is not a problem for most
children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has found that 8 to 10
percent of children under the age of 5 drink more than 12 ounces per day,
while some infants consume more than 21 ounces per day. These amounts
are too much, says Lifschitz.

"Too much juice, like too much of any food, can throw children's diets
off balance," he said. "For some children, excess juice can dampen
already small appetites for other nutritious foods, putting overall
nutrition at risk. While for those with more "resilient" appetites, overdoing
juice can contribute to a caloric overload and weight problems."

Most fruit juices provide important nutrients like vitamin C, folate
and potassium. But, most also contain around 15 to 19 calories per ounce,
which is about the same as the amount in soft drinks, and about 35 to
60 percent more than in the same-size portion of whole fruit. Juice also
lacks the fiber found in fresh, canned or frozen "whole" fruit.
Consuming enough fiber is key to helping children avoid constipation. A diet
low in fiber is also thought to play a role in the development of some
diseases.

To help parents avoid a juicy problem, the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Nutrition recently issued an updated policy
statement on the healthy use of fruit juice in children's diets. The report,
found in the May 2001 issue of the journal Pediatrics, suggests that
fruit juice provide no more than half a child's daily fruit requirement.

Children under 4 need two servings of fruit per day. Older children
need four servings. One fruit serving is six ounces, or ?¾ cup of 100%
fruit juice -- not fruit drinks or ades. A serving of whole or canned fruit
is one-half cup.

According to Lifshitz, some symptoms like cramps, gas and diarrhea,
which are often blamed on milk, can actually be caused by drinking too
much juice containing sorbitol. Sorbitol is a natural sugar that is not
well absorbed by the intestines.

Young children allowed to have a bottle or box of juice in hand
throughout the day and a bottle of juice at bedtime are also more prone to
tooth decay. Prolonged exposure of the teeth to sugars is a major
contributing a major cause of dental caries. To protect developing teeth, the
AAP recommends that children only be given juices by cup, and only as
part of a meal or snack. Other factors important to dental health include
good dental hygiene and fluoride.

Because juice can worsen diarrhea and dehydration, it should not be
given to children with these conditions, Lifshitz said. And, because it
does not contain protein and bone-building minerals, juice is not an
acceptable substitute for milk in a child's diet.

"Allowing a toddler four to six ounces of juice each day with meals or
as a snack is fine," Lifschitz said. "But, between meals, what they
really need is water," he said.

RELATED LINKS:

Sorbitol Content of Fruit Juice (from the CNRC)
http://www.bcm.tmc.edu/cnrc/sorbitol.htm

AAP 2001 statement on juice in children's diets
http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/107/5/1210

___________________________________________________________

#6 Q: HOW CAN I TELL HOW MUCH CALCIUM IS IN THE FOOD I BUY?
___________________________________________________________

A: For packaged foods, the %DV for calcium on food labels is based on
1000 milligrams of calcium. As a result, simply multiplying the number
next to the "%" by 10 will yield the actual milligrams of calcium that
one serving provides.*

For example, if the label reads 15% calcium: (15x10) = 150

So one serving of that food provides 150 milligrams of calcium.

For fresh foods that don?’t have labels, use the USDA?’s powerful on-line
food composition table
(http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgi-bin/nut_search.pl).

*Because the numeric "basis" for the %DV varies by nutrient, this
calculation only applies to calcium. It does not work for other nutrients.
For a list of the numeric basis for other nutrients found on food
labels, see:
http://www.bcm.tmc.edu/cnrc/percentDV.html


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#7 Conferences and Events
_________________________

Teleconference: Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Youth
May 30 Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Howland Auditorium
Children's Nutrition Research Center
Houston, Texas

Pre-registration is not required for this free CNRC event. The
teleconference, sponsored by The University of Alabama at Birmingham, grants 4
CEU for registered dietitians and nurses.

For more information call (713) 798-7017 or e-mail croom@bcm.tmc.edu

___________________________

#8 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
___________________________

Houston-area residents are invited to participate in the following
nutrition research projects, which are designed to help CNRC scientists
learn more about the nutritional needs of children. Transportation/parking
available. For more information, visit the CNRC web site:
www.bcm.tmc.edu/cnrc/volunteer.htm.

Viva La Familia
Hispanic families with children 4 to 18 years of age are needed for a
new Health and Nutrition Study. Stipend. Call Marilyn, (713) 798-7002.

Baby-friendly Neighborhoods
Moms-to-be and new moms living in Houston-area zip codes 77003, 77011,
77012,77020, 77023, and 7029 are needed for a study monitoring infant
feeding behavior during the first year of life. Free breastfeeding
consultations and information in Spanish or English. Call Sandra, (713)
926-3372.

Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program
Bilingual (Spanish/ English) women can receive training to become peer
counselors who provide breastfeeding assistance to new mothers and
babies. Training/parking provided. Call Judy, (713) 798-7008.

Breastfeeding Study
Pregnant women in their last trimester who plan to breastfeed for at
least three months and new mothers currently breastfeeding infants
between 2 weeks and 2 months of age are needed for a study of breast-milk
sugar production. Stipend. Call Andre, (713) 798-7083.

Formula Composition Study
Formula-fed infants, birth to 4 weeks of age, are needed for a study to
help determine whether infant formulas containing more of an essential
fat thought to help regulate energy metabolism is beneficial.
Formula/baby portraits provided. Call Betty, (713) 798-7064.

Biological Diversity of Growth
Hispanic, African-American and Caucasian young adults, 19 to 22 years
of age, as well as any child up to 22 years of age who has ever
participated in CNRC studies involving body composition measurements, are
needed for a study on growth. Stipend. Call Marilyn, (713) 798-7002.

GEMS Summer Program
As part of the nation-wide GEMS program, 40 Houston-area 8-year-old
African-American girls have the opportunity to attend an innovative 4-week
summer wellness camp and web-based follow-up program organized by the
Children's Nutrition Research Center and Baylor College of Medicine.
Program begins June 4. Call Judy, (713) 798-7126.

Dietary Carbohydrates and Sugar Metabolism
Overweight teens, 13 to 16 years of age, are needed for a study
designed to determine whether overweight children metabolize sugar differently
than their lean counterparts. Stipend. Call Andrea, (713) 798-7083.

_________________

#9 Editor's Notes
_________________

Editor's Note: Computer Viruses.

Please excuse this off-topic note. However, because computer viruses
have become a reality in cyber-land, I wanted to touch base with our
e-newslette readers on this important, but non-nutrition related, topic.

In recent months the USDA, which hosts this newsletter, has taken
additional measures to prevent computer viruses from "tagging" along with
e-mails that pass through their system. However, iwe also recommend that
everyone who uses e-mail or visits the internet take a few precautions
to minimize exposure to destructive internet "bugs."

Because computer viruses usually tag along AS ATTACHMENTS to e-mail
messages, make it a rule to never, never, ever open an e-mail attachment
that you are not expecting. This is particuarly important with regards
to attachments with "suspicious" extensions such as .exe or names that
appear vague, odd or to be a joke. Also keep in mind that even if a
virus does attach itself to an incoming e-mail, it cannot do damage unless
you click on the attachment to open the file. If you are "unsure" about
the "authenticity" of any e-mail attachments that your receive, call or
e-mail the sender to verify the attachment before you open it.

Also, while virus-scanning software from companies like Norton and
MacAfee are very beneficial, users must still visit these companies' web
sites at least once a month for "updates." These free updates are
needed to ensure that your computer's anti-virus program is scanned for the
newest bug to hit the internet.

As for NUTRITION & YOUR CHILD, please note that this newsletter is
always sent as "text" document that opens automatically in the body of an
e-mail message. It is NEVER sent as an attachment, nor will it ever
include an attachment that you should open.

Should you ever have a problem or question (or even suggestion!) about
NUTRITON & YOUR CHILD, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.
And, thank you for subscribing!

--Joan Carter, RD/LD, MBA, Editor, Nutrition & Your Child
Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine
e-mial joanc@bcm.tmc.edu phone: 713-798-6782