Major issues.

In our series on BMI, I’ve explained some of the basics of BMI as well as the history behind the BMI scale.  Now onto the juicy information: the inherent flaws of the BMI system.  There are quite a few, and I’m sure you can name even more. When the Body Mass Index was born, a series of weight-height tables were constructed using data from several insurance companies.  Unfortunately, when these were made and since revised, there were several variables not taken into consideration as well as flaws in the data collection process:

• People included in data collection
  • Only persons aged 25–59 years old included
  • People with chronic diseases excluded (ex – heart disease, cancer, diabetes)
  • Included only those who purchased individual life insurance policies from selected life insurance companies
  • People with multiple policies were included in database multiple times
  • Both smokers and nonsmokers included
• The way data was collected
  • Height and weight were measured while subjects wore street shoes and indoor clothing of varying amounts
  • Many self-reported their weight (20% in 1959 and 10% in 1983) and we all know people tend to estimate incorrectly
  • Home bathroom scales were used which are often inaccurate
  • Weight in pounds was frequently rounded to digits ending in 0 or 5
  • Data was recorded only at the time of application for life insurance policy
  • Frame size was not measured

Things to ponder.

Because of all the above, it’s difficult to say whether BMI is a good measure for anyone.  We know that it is not idea for children and athletes in particular.  Thus, the conclusion of our BMI series leaves me with several questions:

• If BMI has so many flaws, is a person’s BMI really a good proxy for how healthy they are?
• Does lowering one’s BMI actually improve one’s health?
• Which is better, a steady weight or always striving for a “normal weight”?
• Is it better to be overweight and exercise than be thin and sedentary?

Good for the entire family.

A few weeks ago we got a great review from Common Sense Media.  Now the folks at MyDigitalFamily have listed Playnormous as a good website for cultivating family relationships and enhancing child development due to its “family-friendly content” and “opportunities for family members to fully and positively interact with each other.”  Wow!

Learn to feed your child a “nutritious media diet.”

MyDigitalFamily was founded by Dr. Eitan D. Schwarz, MD , a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry that has devoted his life to the health of children and families.  Like the Playnormous Health Games team, MyDigitalFamily.org wants parents to use video games, computers, and other media to better the lives of their children.  They believe that parents should prepare their kids for life in a media-rich world by thinking positively about media and adopting it with their kids.  This includes feeding them a nutritious media diet (including Playnormous!).  MyDigitalFamily.org has complied a large list of online resources for families including parent resources and websites with relationship value, educational value, and safe socialization opportunities.  This is a up-and-coming site that every parent should check out!

Spilled milk.

Cheerios are on the chopping block with the FDA this week.  Cheerios, known for its almost two year marketing campaign which boasts “We’re made of whole grains” and “Cheerios can reduce cholesterol 4-6% in six weeks” may be seeing lawsuits if they don’t shape up.  The FDA issued a warning letter to General Mills that stated the cereal has “serious violations” due to their health-related claims.  According to the letter,

“Based on claims made on your product’s label, we have determined that your Cheerios Toasted Whole Grain Oats Cereal is promoted for conditions that cause it to be a drug because the product is intended for use in the prevention, mitigation and treatment of disease.”

The Cheerios website is now accompanied by a large splash page which states “The science is not in question.” and is also quick to point out that their heart healthy message has been approved by the FDA for twelve years.  Good for you, Cheerios!

More trouble to come?

Unfortunately, according to an article in AdAge, marketers should take the Cheerios warning letter to heart.  The FDA will be receiving $3.2 billion next year, it’s largest budget in history, which will give the FDA even more opportunities to double check health-based claims.  Could this revitalized and refinanced FDA have an impact on health games?

Healthy heart, happy tummy.

Every good lunchbox needs a good snack.  We expect kids to eat just turkey sandwiches and salads all the time.  Here are some great snack options to add a little oomph to that bland lunchbox:

• Microwave popcorn, Whole grain crackers with low fat cheese slices, Whole grain pretzels, Granola bar
• Yogurt, String cheese (low fat 2% or skim milk),
• Fresh fruit, Cut up apples or celery with natural peanut butter, Raisins
• Hard boiled egg
• Carrots with reduced fat cream cheese or hummus

Snacks can be sneaky so be on the alert.

To ensure a healthy snacking experience, make sure to always read the label.  Many consumers learned this lesson the hard way with the deceptively “healthy soda alternative” Vitaminwater situation.  Make sure the snacks you include in your healthy lunchbox do not contain hydrogenated oils and are not high in sugar.  Nutritionist Christine Schultz of My Body, LLC recommends that snacks should not contain:

• More  than five ingredients
• Artificial ingredients
• Ingredients you can’t pronounce

For more information, visit the National Dietary Guidelines for Americans page.  Also try playing our Playnormous Health  Game Food Fury to learn which snacks should be eaten often (G0), some of the time (Slow), and rarely (Whoa).

Time Magazine says “Look out parents!”

Kid-friendly foods are notorious for being tasty, colorful, but just plain unhealthy.  Time Magazine released a list of some of the most popular kid foods that parents should think twice about before adding to the daily menu.  Most are packed with sodium and sugar.  Is your kid’s favorite here?

1. Kids Cuisine All Star Chicken Breast Nuggets – 200 mg sodium!
2. Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers – 250 mg sodium!
3. Kudos Chocolate Chip Granola Bar – full of sugar!
4. Fruit By The Foot – 48% sugar!
5. Campbell Soup Cars Souper Shapes Condensed Soup – 580 mg sodium!
6. Kraft Scooby-Doo! Macaroni & Cheese Dinner – 100 mg sodium!
7. Oscar Mayer Lunchables Mini Tacos – 790 mg sodium!
8. Sunny Delight – 27 g sugar!
9. Earth’s Best Organic Mini Waffles – full of fat!

Want to learn more about good food choices?  Read the article for Time’s substitution suggestions and try any one of our health games like Juice Jumble and Food Fury!