Osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease, has been called “a pediatric disease with a geriatric outcome,” because bone mass gained or lost during childhood and adolescence greatly determines lifelong bone health. Youth is the best time to invest in your child’s bones through nutrition and physical activity.

Nutrition for healthy bones means eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. If your kids are lactose intolerant or just don’t like drinking milk, don’t despair. They can receive calcium from foods such as kale, bok choy, broccoli and almonds, or from calcium-fortified orange juice, cereals, or breads.

Our bones get stronger when we use them. Weight-bearing activities such as walking, running, dancing, tennis, basketball, gymnastics, or soccer are needed to build strong bones. Have your kids play outside—the sunshine will provide most children with all the vitamin D they need.

And moms, it’s never too late to build healthier, stronger bones. Make exercise a priority and stick to a healthy, calcium-rich diet, your positive lifestyle will benefit both you and your children for years to come.

Scientists from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and Children’s Hospital Boston found that children who spend more time watching television are more likely to eat the high-calorie foods they see advertised. Previous studies have linked children who watch more television to obesity, but this study (results appear in the April 2006 issue of the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine) breaks new ground by providing evidence explaining the connection.

Overweight young people are more likely to become overweight adults, at risk for diabetes and heart disease. The results of this study lend credence to a long-standing recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics to limit children to less than two hours of television each day.

Scientists from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and Children’s Hospital Boston found that children who spend more time watching television are more likely to eat the high-calorie foods they see advertised. Previous studies have linked children who watch more television to obesity, but this study (results appear in the April 2006 issue of the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine) breaks new ground by providing evidence explaining the connection.

Overweight young people are more likely to become overweight adults, at risk for diabetes and heart disease. The results of this study lend credence to a long-standing recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics to limit children to less than two hours of television each day.

Gary Heavin, founder and CEO of Curves International, observes that some women do well on a particular diet, while other women on the same diet not only don’t lose weight, but actually gain weight. He attributes this to varied metabolisms and because some women are carbohydrate-sensitive and others are calorie-sensitive.

Carb-sensitive women are more than 25 pounds overweight, have been overweight most of their lives, often skip meals and crave starchy or sugary foods.

In general, calorie-sensitive women are less than 25 pounds overweight, didn’t have weight problems when they were younger, but have slowly gained weight since turning 30, have a normal appetite and few food cravings.

Some women have identifying factors in each group. Heavin recommends that these women start by watching carbs, and if they do not lose weight after two weeks, they should switch to a calorie-sensitive diet.

If results are not seen after trying both approaches, Heavin says these women’s metabolism may need a period of recovery before they can lose weight. More information is available in his book Curves (Perigee).

Gary Heavin, founder and CEO of Curves International, observes that some women do well on a particular diet, while other women on the same diet not only don’t lose weight, but actually gain weight. He attributes this to varied metabolisms and because some women are carbohydrate-sensitive and others are calorie-sensitive.

Carb-sensitive women are more than 25 pounds overweight, have been overweight most of their lives, often skip meals and crave starchy or sugary foods.

In general, calorie-sensitive women are less than 25 pounds overweight, didn’t have weight problems when they were younger, but have slowly gained weight since turning 30, have a normal appetite and few food cravings.

Some women have identifying factors in each group. Heavin recommends that these women start by watching carbs, and if they do not lose weight after two weeks, they should switch to a calorie-sensitive diet.

If results are not seen after trying both approaches, Heavin says these women’s metabolism may need a period of recovery before they can lose weight. More information is available in his book Curves (Perigee).

When it comes to your health, it is important to be aware of and manage your weight. But according to Don Colbert, M.D., author of the Bible Cure series (Siloam), you should also be aware of how you’re overweight. Where is your body’s excess fat located? This is critically important when it comes to evaluating your risk of developing certain health conditions.

Apple-shaped. Do you have a few love handles on your tummy, abdomen and back? If you have abdominal obesity, or central obesity, you are considered “apple-shaped.”

“If you are apple-shaped, you are much more likely to develop high blood pressure, diabetes, strokes and coronary artery disease,” says Colbert in his book The Bible Cure for High Blood Pressure. He explains that when your fat is mainly in your abdomen, it tends to accumulate in your arteries, leading to vascular disease.

People who are apple-shaped also tend to be insulin resistant, Colbert says. This can lead to diabetes and elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Pear-shaped. If your extra fat is stored in your thighs, buttocks and hips, you are “pear-shaped.” According to Colbert, “This body shape is not nearly as dangerous as apple-shaped obesity.”

Colbert offers a quick way to determine which shape you have. Measure the narrowest area around your waist and the widest area around your hips. Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. If this number is greater than in men or greater than 0.8 in women, then you have an apple shape.

To prevent insulin resistance and lower your weight, which in turn will lower your blood pressure and risk for other diseases, Colbert recommends choosing a diet of low-glycemic, high-fiber foods, such as vegetables, whole grains and legumes.

When it comes to your health, it is important to be aware of and manage your weight. But according to Don Colbert, M.D., author of The Bible Cure series (Siloam), you should also be aware of how you’re overweight. Where is your body’s excess fat located? This is critically important when it comes to evaluating your risk of developing certain health conditions.

Apple-shaped. Do you have a few love handles on your tummy, abdomen and back? If you have abdominal obesity, or central obesity, you are considered “apple-shaped.”

“If you are apple-shaped, you are much more likely to develop high blood pressure, diabetes, strokes and coronary artery disease,” says Colbert in his book The Bible Cure for High Blood Pressure (Siloam). He explains that when your fat is mainly in your abdomen, it tends to accumulate in your arteries, leading to vascular disease.

People who are apple-shaped also tend to be insulin resistant, Colbert says. This can lead to diabetes and elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Pear-shaped. If your extra fat is stored in your thighs, buttocks and hips, you are “pear-shaped.” According to Colbert, “This body shape is not nearly as dangerous as apple-shaped obesity.”

Colbert offers a quick way to determine which shape you have. Measure the narrowest area around your waist and the widest area around your hips.

Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. If this number is greater than in men or greater than 0.8 in women, then you have an apple shape. To prevent insulin resistance and lower your weight, which in turn will lower your blood pressure and risk for other diseases, Colbert recommends choosing a diet of low-glycemic, high-fiber foods such as vegetables, whole grains and legumes.

Why? It’s one of the most effective anti-cancer foods you can buy! Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine discovered that broccoli contains a natural compound that helps the body fight cancer by causing it to produce protective enzymes. These enzymes detoxify the carcinogens that could potentially lead to cell mutations. If you want to get the highest concentration of the compound, choose young broccoli sprouts–and the fresher, the better.