The World Health Organization soon will launch a campaign in South and Southeast Asia aimed at making nutrition programs a central part of HIV/AIDS treatment in the region, Randa Saadeh, a scientist in WHO's Nutrition for Health and Development Department, said recently, Inter Press Service reports. Saadeh was speaking at the end of a weeklong meeting in Bangkok aimed at increasing support for the campaign and ensuring that governments in the region have measures to implement program in place by 2009.
According to Saadeh, this is the first time the region has been targeted to improve nutrition as part of its effort to fight HIV/AIDS. "We want governments to adopt strong positions on this link" between HIV/AIDS and nutrition "as a solution," she said. The campaign follows a similar WHO initiative in sub-Saharan Africa that was launched after the approval of a resolution that formally recognized the link between nutrition and HIV/AIDS at the 2006 World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, Inter Press Service reports. The resolution called on governments to "make nutrition an integral part of their response to HIV/AIDS."
Rest of the news here.
Campaign Aimed at Improving Nutrition Among HIV-Positive People
Carb quiz
Carbs tend to go in and out of favor from a nutrition standpoint. What's the latest? Here's a quiz based on information from the Harvard School of Public Health to find out how savvy you are about carbohydrates in your.
Check out the quiz here.
Supplement and children
In examining the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Survey of more than 10,000 children, researchers found that dietary supplements, usually multi-vitamins or multi-minerals, are a regular part of many children's diets.
The study found that nearly 50 percent of children 4-to-8 years old take dietary supplements, but only about 25 percent of children 14 to 18 years old take supplements. The researchers also found that children in higher-income families; children who spent less time watching television, playing video games, or on the computer; and children in smoke-free households were more likely to use supplements.
More on supplements and children here.
Ideal Body Weight
Here is a simple way to find your ideal body weight. This is an approximate method which means it will not be accurate but it will give a rough idea of how much you should be weighing.
You can calculate your ideal body weight by using the formula below,
This will work only for adults. After getting a rough idea, you can start working out towards your ideal body weight.
Quiz: TG
A blood test that shows a high level of triglycerides is not good, according to the American Heart Association. How much do you know about this fatty acid radical? Here's a quiz to find out.
Fasting and nutrition well-being
In practice, fasting means decreasing one's caloric intake by 30 to 40 percent. In some countries, fasting is used as a way of rebuilding the immune system to help fight off degenerative diseases.
Good fasting has both spiritual and health benefits. When breaking the fast in the evening, it is important not to overindulge in food, which not only goes against the whole point of fasting but also makes it harder to resume fasting.
A beneficial article on fasting and nutrition, especially right now during fasting season.
Dietary Tips For the Expectant Mothers
Below are some important dietary tips for expectant mothers in really simple terms.
1. The meals should be frequent small meals rather than 3 big meals.
2. Include 5-6 servings of fruits and vegetables - it will help to avoid constipation.
3. Avoid more of sweets - in case of increased blood sugar which has arised because of pregnancy.
4. More dietary fibre should be included.
5. Calcium rich diet is recommended - can have calcium supplements also.
6. Fatty rich foods, fried foods, excessive seasoning etc can be avoided in case of gastric distress and nausea.
7. Take 3 cups of milk or its equivalent daily.
8. Have green leafy vegetables liberally which are rich in iron along with citrus fruits.
9. Have at least two fruits a day.. e.g., pomegranate and orange; apple and guava etc..
10. Egg, fish, meat or pulses - 2 servings per day.
11. Dry fruits can be added in minimum amounts
12. Chikkis like groundnut chikki can also be included.
13. In case of oedema and hypertension restrict sodium (salt).
14. Have plenty of water; not along with meals but after and in between meals.
15. For fruit juices do not add sugar.
16. You can have fluids like coconut water also.
[These are generalized dietary guidelines. Please consult your physician and/or dietitian for more specific guidelines.]
Quiz on fiber
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, fiber is an important nutrient in our diets, and we need to pay attention to the benefits. Here's a quiz to find out what you know about fiber's benefits.
Calorie needs
Many of today’s nutrition recommendations – whether for weight control or for how much fat, vegetables or other foods fit in a healthy diet – are based on calorie needs. Calorie needs depend on weight, age, gender and activity level, as well as individual metabolic rate.
So, you may want to stop eating the same 'diet food' your colleague is consuming, and stop feeding the same amount of calorie to your growing child!
Read more on calorie needs HERE.
Dietitian-Nutritionist
One thing I found many are confused about - who are nutritionist and who ARE dietitians. I find that even medical doctors are unable to distinguish both professions! *sigghhh...
May be one can start by reading some info on dietitians, and few days later I will post something on nutritionist.
Read more on the differences HERE
Good fats?
“Compared to the Western diet, the Indian diet is often blamed for not being consistent in nutrition and calories. Unhealthy snack culture is on the rise with saturated and trans-fat contents going unchecked in ‘vanaspati’-cooked food products. Excessive body fats increase chances of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other illness”
More here.
Of course there is such thing called good fat. I don't get it why most people still awed at this fact. Probably due to the bad 'publicity' on fats. Need we start a new campaign "Save the good fats"?? :P
