By 2030, Obesity Rates Could Top 60% in 13 States

America’s weight report card is in. The grades aren’t good, and they’re on a path to get much worse.

Mississippi had the highest rate, with 34.9% of its residents obese, defined as a body mass index or BMI of 30 or more.

Colorado has the lowest obesity rate, with 20.7% of residents obese. However, by 2030, 13 states could have obesity rates topping 60%, according to the report’s predictions.

“If we stay on the current course, we could see obesity rates that are already unacceptable double in some states.”

People Who Read Food Labels While Shopping Weigh Less

Women who read food labels while doing their shopping weigh over half a stone less than those who ignore them, researchers said.

Consulting labels on food products can prevent obesity, as the body mass index of women who read labels is 1.49 points lower - about 9lbs - than those who do not look at such information, according to a study.

In terms of gender, 58 per cent of men either habitually or always read the information on food packets, but 74 per cent of women do.

Food Industry Ditches Trans Fats, Kids' Cholesterol Levels Drop

A study published last month in the Journal of the American Medical Association found a 28 percent drop in the prevalence of elevated total cholesterol among kids since the 1988-94 period, the heyday of trans fats.

So what spurred Big Food to ditch trans fats? The answer is pretty simple. In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration began requiring nutrition labels on foods to include amounts of added trans fats. Once forced to come clean about its use of trans fats, Big Food suddenly lost its appetite for using the heart-ruining product.

School Junk Food Laws May Curb Kids' Obesity

Children in the study gained less weight from fifth through eighth grades if they lived in states with strong, consistent laws versus no laws governing snacks available in schools.  Also, children who were overweight or obese in fifth grade were more likely to reach a healthy weight by eighth grade if they lived in states with the strongest laws.

8 Fish-Free Vegan Omega Fatty Acid Rich Foods

Fish, often promoted as the best source for heart-healthy omega fats, can be loaded with toxins.  There are plenty of delicious vegan omega fatty acid sources, providing additional nutritional benefits that fish does not.  Here are four, check out the complete list at OrganicAuthority.com.

1. Hemp: No other food contains the ideal ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids like the mighty hemp seed. It’s a great protein source, and full of fiber, too.

2. Flax: The flax (or linseed) contains a higher ratio of omega 3 to omega 6. This is an extremely popular choice because our Western diet is so rich in unhealthy fats and inflammation-causing foods. Omega 3 fatty acids help to reduce inflammation.

3. Chia: By weight, the chia seed is about 32 percent omega fatty acids (very high and rare for a seed). Sixty-one percent omega-3 and 20 percent omega-6 makes it a good choice for people who need more omega-3s.

4. Walnuts: Grown throughout the U.S., walnuts are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and a number of other unique plant properties that make them an excellent addition to your diet.

Norway Cuts Palm Oil Consumption 64% To Protect Rainforest

A campaign led by Rainforest Foundation Norway has led to a massive reduction in palm oil consumption in the Scandinavian country.  The campaign received extensive media coverage, resulting in increased consumer awareness. Norwegian food producers responded rapidly, significantly reducing their use of palm oil.

To find out more about palm oil’s devastating impact on the environment visit the Vegans Against Palm Oil page on Facebook.

Almonds Are Even Healthier Than Thought

Great news for lovers of this nut!  The calorie count in almonds is 20 percent less than what has been printed on the label.  A new study says suggest that some of the fat in almonds is excreted with the almond fibers.  The authors also hypothesize that other nuts might also be lower in calories than has been believed.

Vegan Diet Helps Reduce Menopausal Symptoms

Research continues to tip the scales in favor of plant-based diets!  A new study finds that a low-fat diet consisting primarily of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helped postmenopausal women both lose weight and manage night sweats and hot flashes.

Health Toll Of Fast Food Spreads Eastward

Eating Western-style fast food on a regular basis significantly increased the risk of diabetes and coronary heart disease in a large Asian study group.  The diabetes odds increased by 27% and CHD risk by 56% among Singapore residents who ate fast food at least twice a week.  The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health.  

Kitchen Tip: Make Your Own Organic Alternative-To-Pam Cooking Spray

Spray oils can be helpful in reducing your consumption of processed oils, but many contain the propellants isobutane and propane.  Why ingest those questionable ingredients when making your own couldn’t be easier?!