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CNN Live At Daybreak
Grading Kids on Their Health
Aired August 13, 2003 - 06:51 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It's back to school already for some, just around the corner for others. And that means the return of reading, writing and arithmetic. And add a new subject to the list this year, your child's personal health.
Our favorite nutritionist, Lisa Drayer, joins us live from New York with the low down.
They're actually going to grade kids on their health on their report cards?
LISA DRAYER, NUTRITIONIST: Could be, Carol, at least in Massachusetts. A community in Cambridge, Massachusetts tested the effect of this, of giving children health report cards during the 2001-2002 school year. And basically what the researchers did was they divided about 1,400 children into three groups. One received the health report card. It included their height, their weight, their weight status, if they were overweight or underweight, some physical activity test results. And they also received some health tips such as eating five fruits and vegetables each day.
A second group only received the health tips and a third group didn't receive anything at all. And what the researchers found was that the parents of overweight children who received that health report card, not only did they know their child's weight, they were more likely to know their weight, but they were also more likely to initiate weight control strategies such as making alterations in diet and increasing physical activity.
COSTELLO: Well, that is a good thing with the problem with obesity in this country, especially among children.
DRAYER: That's right.
COSTELLO: So how can you help your child get an A plus?
DRAYER: Yes, well, the most important thing for parents to do is to be a good role model. You know, you can't expect your child to have fruit as a snack if you're eating cookies and chips. So be sure to set a good example. That's one of the most important things that you can do.
Also, watch what you give to drink. Research shows that the risk of obesity in children significantly increases with every soda consumed among children. And if you think about it, it makes sense. You know, a can of soda has 140 calories. Multiply this by the number of cans that a child is drinking, and figure that an extra 500 calories translates to one pound gained each week.
Also, you can sneak healthy ingredients into your foods. If your child doesn't like vegetables, for example, you can add some chopped vegetables to turkey burgers. And, finally, be sure to decrease TV time, increase activity. Researchers say a maximum of two hours in front of the TV and at least one hour of physical activity.
COSTELLO: Oh, amen, Lisa. That's the best plan yet.
All right, Lisa Drayer reporting live for us out of New York. We appreciate it.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired August 13, 2003 - 06:51 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It's back to school already for some, just around the corner for others. And that means the return of reading, writing and arithmetic. And add a new subject to the list this year, your child's personal health.
Our favorite nutritionist, Lisa Drayer, joins us live from New York with the low down.
They're actually going to grade kids on their health on their report cards?
LISA DRAYER, NUTRITIONIST: Could be, Carol, at least in Massachusetts. A community in Cambridge, Massachusetts tested the effect of this, of giving children health report cards during the 2001-2002 school year. And basically what the researchers did was they divided about 1,400 children into three groups. One received the health report card. It included their height, their weight, their weight status, if they were overweight or underweight, some physical activity test results. And they also received some health tips such as eating five fruits and vegetables each day.
A second group only received the health tips and a third group didn't receive anything at all. And what the researchers found was that the parents of overweight children who received that health report card, not only did they know their child's weight, they were more likely to know their weight, but they were also more likely to initiate weight control strategies such as making alterations in diet and increasing physical activity.
COSTELLO: Well, that is a good thing with the problem with obesity in this country, especially among children.
DRAYER: That's right.
COSTELLO: So how can you help your child get an A plus?
DRAYER: Yes, well, the most important thing for parents to do is to be a good role model. You know, you can't expect your child to have fruit as a snack if you're eating cookies and chips. So be sure to set a good example. That's one of the most important things that you can do.
Also, watch what you give to drink. Research shows that the risk of obesity in children significantly increases with every soda consumed among children. And if you think about it, it makes sense. You know, a can of soda has 140 calories. Multiply this by the number of cans that a child is drinking, and figure that an extra 500 calories translates to one pound gained each week.
Also, you can sneak healthy ingredients into your foods. If your child doesn't like vegetables, for example, you can add some chopped vegetables to turkey burgers. And, finally, be sure to decrease TV time, increase activity. Researchers say a maximum of two hours in front of the TV and at least one hour of physical activity.
COSTELLO: Oh, amen, Lisa. That's the best plan yet.
All right, Lisa Drayer reporting live for us out of New York. We appreciate it.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
