Nutrition

Thursday and Friday, hundreds of Missoula area school children are participating in the CATCH Health Fair at St. Patrick Hospital, a half-day of fun and education about various health issues.

Let’s Move! Missoula Coordinator Lisa Beczkiewicz joined a very notable public figure at the White House this week to honor the Let's Move! initiative.

Starting next school year, pasta and other grain products in public schools will have to be whole-grain rich, or more than half whole grain. That includes rolls, biscuits, pizza crust, tortillas and even grits.

The challenge? Serve 6,500 meals a day to kids ranging in age from kindergarten through 12th grade, and those meals must that include foods that kids will not only eat, but enjoy eating. It's a challenge Stacy Rossmiller and her staff tackle every weekday throughout the school year.

The American Cancer Society has updated its prevention guidelines. New priorities such as maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly are now side by side with kicking the smoking habit for those who want to reduce their risk of developing cancer. People who are overweight have higher levels of insulin and estrogen in their systems. Cancer Society spokesperson Denise Kolba explains why an excess of those particular chemicals is a problem.

Childhood obesity is soaring. In fact, about a third of US children are currently overweight or obese — and a new study may reveal one big cause. Researchers found toddlers who have a poor relationship with their moms could be twice as likely to be obese by the time they turn 15, possibly because they tend to turn to food as a substitute for motherly comfort.