Health Journal - Prevention Research Center at Tulane University

St. Claude Bridge a hindrance to improving Lower 9th Ward

Physical Activity Research , Policy & Advocacy , Special Community Engagement Projects

Published: May 11, 2012

Residents of the Lower 9th Ward say they're cut off from the rest of the city - from job opportunities, hospitals and daily needs such as supermarkets and drug stores. The only way to access those services without owning a car is to walk or bike across the St. Claude Bridge. Those aren't optimal choices for Anneka Olson, who lives in the Lower 9th Ward and bikes across the St. Claude Avenue Bridge to go…

HBO documentary on obesity includes study from Bogalusa - The Advocate

Food Environment Research , Physical Activity Research , Policy & Advocacy

Published: May 11, 2012

HBO documentary on obesity includes study from Bogalusa The Advocate BY ELLYN COUVILLION A landmark Louisiana health study will be at the heart of an HBO documentary series that begins Monday and takes on the issue of obesity. “The Weight of the Nation” is a four-part series, with footage shot in Bogalusa, …

Reader: HB 1088 would improve health, education statewide - Tri Parish Times

Policy & Advocacy

Published: May 09, 2012

Reader: HB 1088 would improve health, education statewide Tri Parish Times Here are the facts: One in four Louisiana children are obese or overweight and at greater risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and health problems. Louisiana children will spend roughly 180 days in school in the average year and nearly 19000 …

Obesity Report Proposes Sweeping Changes In Schools, Communities, Workplaces - Kaiser Health News

Food Environment Research , Physical Activity Research , Policy & Advocacy

Published: May 09, 2012

CTV.ca Obesity Report Proposes Sweeping Changes In Schools, Communities, Workplaces Kaiser Health News The Institute of Medicine panel recommended five critical areas to focus on to lower obesity: physical activity, food and beverage, marketing, work and schools. Boston Globe: Do We Finally Have A Solution To The Obesity Epidemic? Obesity vs. ‘nanny state’? Recommendations lead to backlashLos Angeles Times Obesity epidemic stems from environment, panel saysmsnbc.com Schools key to fighting US obesity, report saysColumbus Dispatch…

Dollar General to expand into grocery business

Food Environment Research

Published: May 08, 2012

Dollar General announces plans to expand further into the grocery business. The Wall Street Journal reports the discount chain will stock more fresh foods and refrigerated products to lure in customers. The company expects to open 40 new “Dollar General Market” stores over the next year, mostly in areas with a lack of local grocery stores. Currently, there are more than 60 “Dollar General Markets” spread among several states. For the full story, click here.

New Orleans strives to be a healthier city: Karen DeSalvo

Policy & Advocacy

Published: May 04, 2012

Guest Column by Dr. Karen DeSalvo, New Orleans Health Commissioner. The city of New Orleans joins cities, towns, villages and communities across our nation to observe National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. This annual campaign calls upon all of us to do what we can to adopt healthy habits and to live a healthy life style. The city of New Orleans is doing just that. The New Orleans Health Department has undergone a dramatic transformation…

Walking path gets a neighborhood moving, says Tulane study

Physical Activity Research

Published: April 25, 2012

A public walking path is enough to inspire an entire neighborhood to become more physically active, according to a new Tulane University study. "Minor changes to the built environment, like walking paths, can make a difference to physical activity levels and health of residents," said lead author Jeanette Gustat, PhD, whose study is in the latest issue of Preventing Chronic Disease. The Prevention Research Center at Tulane University (PRC) measured residents' activity levels throughout New…

With Classroom Breakfasts, a Concern That Some Children Eat Twice

Food Environment Research , Policy & Advocacy

Published: April 23, 2012

It is an innovative, intuitive and increasingly common way to ensure that food reaches the mouths of hungry children from low-income families: give out free breakfast in the classroom at the start of each school day. The results, seen at urban districts across the country, are striking. Without the stigma of a trip to the cafeteria, the number of students in Newark who eat breakfast in school has tripled. Absenteeism has fallen in Los Angeles,…

Poverty and Obesity: Breaking the Link - Huffington Post

Policy & Advocacy

Published: April 11, 2012

Poverty and Obesity: Breaking the Link Huffington Post There is finally a glimmer of hope in the fight against obesity, a critical public health and economic crisis burdening our nation. After several decades of steep upswings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that … and more��

Could autism be linked with mothers' obesity during pregnancy? Study says it could be a factor

Policy & Advocacy

Published: April 09, 2012

Obesity during pregnancy may increase chances for having a child with autism, provocative new research suggests. It's among the first studies linking the two, and though it doesn't prove obesity causes autism, the authors say their results raise public health concerns because of the high level of obesity in this country. Study women who were obese during pregnancy were about 67 percent more likely than normal-weight women to have autistic children. They also faced double…