When schools adopt healthful nutrition policies and practices, kids’ diets improve.

According to new research led by Michigan State University and published in the current issue of Childhood Obesity, when schools offered snacks in lunchtime a la carte or vending that were mostly or entirely healthful, students responded with improvements in their diets, said Katherine Alaimo, MSU associate professor of food, science and human nutrition.

“When healthful food options are offered, students will select them, eat them and improve their diet,” she said. “Our study shows that schools can make the kinds of changes required by the forthcoming USDA guidelines, and these changes can have a positive impact on children’s nutrition.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will ask schools to implement its Smart Snacks nutrition standards on July 1, 2014. Those recommendations will set limits on calories, salt, sugar and fat in foods and beverages, as well as promote snack foods with more whole grains, low-fat dairy, fruits and vegetables.

Alaimo and her team of researchers tested standards similar to the USDA’s new requirements and demonstrated that Smart Snacks has the potential to improve students’ eating habits.

For example, schools that started healthful snacks in lunchtime a la carte or vending programs boosted their students’ overall daily consumption of fruit by 26 percent, vegetables by 14 percent and whole grains by 30 percent. Students also increased their consumption of fiber, calcium, and vitamins A and C.

For the study, researchers also compared schools that adopted a variety of nutrition programs and policies. Some schools made only limited changes, while others implemented more comprehensive programs to assess and improve the school’s nutrition environment.

Changes schools made included raising nutrition standards for snacks and beverages, offering taste tests of healthful foods and beverages to students, marketing healthful foods in school and removing advertisements of unhealthful foods. When schools implemented three or more new nutrition practices or policies, students’ overall diets improved.

“Creating school environments where the healthy choice is the easy choice allows students to practice lessons learned in the classroom and form good habits at an early age, laying a foundation for a healthy future,” said Shannon Carney Oleksyk, contributing author and healthy living adviser for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

What made the study unique, in part, was that the researchers measured students’ overall diets, not just what they ate in school.

Alaimo’s research was funded in part by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Healthy Eating Research program and MSU’s AgBioResearch.

#KnowHepB Twitter Chat – Nov.19 at 3 pm EST

Join @CDChep for a Twitter Chat Tuesday, November 19 at 3 pm EST to discuss the Know Hepatitis B campaign and how to increase hepatitis B testing among Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). The chat is bringing together CDC’s Division of Viral Hepatitis, Hep B United, Hepatitis B Foundation, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO), and CDC NPIN. Use #KnowHepB to join the conversation, ask questions, and highlight what you are doing to decrease the burden of hepatitis B in the AAPI community.

https://www.cdc.gov/knowhepatitisb/StayConnected.htm

KENNEBUNK, Maine/PRNewswire/ -- Inspiration across the nation! From Washington to West Virginia, 15 nonprofit organizations with a passion for human, healthy and environmental goodness are winners in the fifth annual Tom's of Maine 50 States for Good program.  With more than 58,000 votes cast online, the 15 nonprofits with the most votes will share $150,000 in funding to put towards preserving land, promoting community gardens, empowering children, helping people with disabilities and looking out for seniors. To date, the 50 States for Good community giving program has benefited 5.5 million people and dozens of communities.

Each 50 States for Good winner will receive $10,000 to support their community project. The dedicated group of winning nonprofits follows, in alphabetical order, along with details on how they'll put the funding to use.

• Cape Ann Farmers Market Backyard Growers Program (Gloucester, MA) – Backyard Growers will enhance and expand the school garden program, which provides elementary school students with opportunities to grow, harvest and eat fresh vegetables.

• Connecticut Radio Information System (Windsor, CT) – Ten schools will receive a one-year subscription of CRISKids™ for Schools, audio recordings of print materials for children who are blind or print-challenged, including those with learning, physical, emotional or intellectual disabilities.

• Gilda's Club Quad Cities (Davenport, IA) – A new program called G.R.O.W. (Giving Resources Organically Within) will plant an organic community garden and provide workshops on sustainability for members who have all been impacted by a cancer diagnosis.

• Kompost Kids (Milwaukee, WI) – A large scale food waste collection and processing pilot will be executed in the Milwaukee area in order to divert from the landfill and create compost to sustain urban agriculture projects.

• Michael T. Goulet Traumatic Brain Injury and Epilepsy Foundation (Saco, ME) – The Foundation's efforts to advance brain safety and awareness in Maine will be expanded and serve as a model program for other states.

• MISSION POSSIBLE KIDS (Plano, TX) –  5,000 existing and 1,000 new program participants will be empowered to make a social impact on their communities, enacting service-oriented "top secret missions" to change the world and impact thousands in need.

• Mountaineer Food Bank (Gassaway, WV) – The Mobile Pantry Program will provide healthy, nutritious foods to people in need in rural or underserved areas of West Virginia.

• Neighbor Ride (Columbia, MD) – The expansion of Neighbor Ride's volunteer program will aid in continuing to serve the growing number of seniors who rely on the Neighbor Ride transportation service to remain healthy, independent and connected to the community.

• One Simple Wish (Trenton, NJ) – More than 100 simple, special wishes will be granted to children in foster care.

• Operation BBQ Relief (Pleasant Hill, MO) – Funding will purchase the perishable supplies necessary to feed approximately 10,000 meals during the organization's next disaster deployment. 

• Play-Place for Autistic Children (Sterling Heights, MI) – Building a new playscape will help to advance the coordination, climbing, balance and motor-planning skills of children affected by autism.

• Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland (Mount Vernon, WA) – InFARMation radio programs will provide information to area highway travelers about seasonal happenings in Skagit agriculture and help grow community support for the organization's mission.

• The Poverello Center (Missoula, MT) – Completing the construction of a new emergency housing facility will aid in feeding and sheltering thousands of area neighbors living in poverty each year.

• Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership (Warren, OH) – Up to 100 free-standing flower boxes, soil and plants will be made available to residents of the Garden District to help the neighborhood earn its name.

• Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park (Gansevoort, NY) – Funding will support the start of the organization's accessible trail project.

"The ingenuity of this year's winners to help their neighbors and the environment is incredibly inspiring," said Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom's of Maine. "These community projects are an important reminder that we can accomplish so much more when we work together. Community support, passionate volunteers and creative thinking can bring lasting goodness to our communities in a way that matters every day."

During the public vote, volunteer and nonprofit nominators were showcased as part of an interactive voting hub that highlighted inspiring stories across the country. From a pool of more than 1,000 nominations, 51 finalists were chosen by a judging panel of passionate leaders in the nonprofit community including Sam Davidson, president of Cool People Care, nonprofit strategist and Huffington Post columnist Lisa M. Dietlin, Matt Petronzio, assistant features editor covering social good for Mashable.com, and star of "The Vampire Diaries" and nonprofit founder Ian Somerhalder.

Since it was founded in 1970, Tom's of Maine has donated 10% of its profits back to the community and encourages employees to use 5% (12 days) of paid time off to volunteer every year. To learn more about this year's winners, visit www.50StatesforGood.com.

SEATTLE/PRNewswire/ -- According to a new survey released this week almost all adults in Washington believe that oral health is important to their overall health. These views are supported by medical, dental, and public health experts who confirm that good oral health is an essential part of being healthy and fit.  

Despite the proven connection between oral health and overall health, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) doesn't include dental care for adults. However, Washington state is considering adding adult dental coverage to the Exchange in 2015. This is good news because polling shows that the overwhelming majority of people in Washington believe that oral health is important.

A statewide survey of 1,200 adults over age 25 released this week by the Washington Dental Service (WDS) Foundation reveals that:

• Four out of five Washingtonians (83%) agree that "it is important for Washington state to provide access to quality dental care to adults who can't afford it, including preventive care."

• Almost all (98%) of Washington adults over 25 said oral health is important to their overall health.

• Despite this, one out of three Washingtonians (32%) lack the coverage for dental care and nearly a quarter (23%) have not had a dental check-up in the past year.

There is a growing recognition that oral health affects overall health. Tom Locke, MD, MPH, Health Officer for Clallam and Jefferson Counties and WDS Foundation Trustee said, "It is time to stop treating the mouth differently from the body. Everyone agrees that insurance coverage is essential for the rest of their body, why should the mouth be excluded? There is strong evidence that poor oral health is linked to a variety of serious health conditions. You're not healthy without a healthy mouth." 

Dental disease is almost entirely preventable, but when people do not receive routine care, small problems can quickly deteriorate into severe infections and lost teeth. Untreated dental problems cause needless pain and suffering, threaten overall health, and can end up costing thousands of dollars in treatment and time away from work. Every cavity prevented saves thousands of dollars over a person's lifetime.  

Regular dental checkups, along with proper brushing and flossing, can save huge amounts of money for individuals, families and businesses. Preventive care even saves money for taxpayers who cover the costs of providing dental care to low-income people in the state. 

Eve Rutherford, DDS and Board Chair of Washington Dental Service Foundation, said, "People in Washington report that dental care is very important to them, yet many are neglecting this critical aspect of their overall health. It's unfortunate and shortsighted because good oral health makes people feel better and look better. Plus catching dental disease early saves a lot of money."

When people don't have access to dental care they often end up seeking expensive emergency care. In the most recent study conducted by the Washington State Hospital Association, dental problems were a key reason why individuals seek care in emergency rooms at a cost of $36 million over an 18-month period. But emergency rooms only treat the pain and infection, they are not equipped to treat the underlying dental problem. 

The value of good oral health extends well beyond avoiding dental costs. Poor oral health is linked to serious chronic health problems, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Among diabetics, for example, treating gum disease can help control blood sugar levels and avoid costly hospitalizations and medical complications such as, blindness and amputations. 

Marcia Wharton, MD and Medical Director, Providence Everett Healthcare Clinic said, "The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body. Good preventive care and oral health checkups are just as important as managing cholesterol, regular exercise and good nutrition. Ensuring that people have the dental care they need to stay healthy should be a priority. We don't ignore an infection in any other part of the body. The mouth should not be treated any differently." 

To raise awareness that oral health is an essential part of overall health, the Washington Dental Service Foundation is working with physicians and dental and fitness experts across the state to develop a statewide campaign that will be launched in January. The campaign, which will include advertising and social media, is designed to help people value their oral health and motivate them to do more to prevent dental disease and stay healthy.

To learn more, visit www.TheMightyMouth.org.  

About Washington Dental Service Foundation

Washington Dental Service Foundation is a non-profit funded by Delta Dental of Washington, the leading dental benefits company in Washington. The Foundation works with partners to develop and execute innovative programs and public policies that produce permanent changes in the healthcare arena and improve the public's long-term oral health. The Foundation focuses on children and seniors, two groups especially vulnerable to oral disease.

SOURCE Washington Dental Service Foundation

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Dentists are well aware that for most patients, shorter is better when it comes to setting time for an impression material. Not only can a faster setting time increase patient comfort, it also increases efficiency for the office. Now, 3M ESPE is introducing the fastest setting impression material on the market—3M™ ESPE™ Imprint™ 4 VPS Impression Material. With a set time of just 75 seconds, Imprint 4 VPS impression material’s intra-oral setting time is up to 53 percent less compared to Aquasil Ultra XLV fast set.

Imprint 4 VPS impression material gives dentists the same long working time they know from Imprint 3 VPS impression material, but speeds up the set time with an innovative active self-warming feature, developed exclusively for this product. A unique chemical reaction causes the material to actively and quickly warm up to body temperature after the working time, substantially accelerating the intra-oral setting. The usual working time is not affected, so dentists can easily observe good impression-taking technique and avoid problems in capturing the impression, ensuring reliable results.

The impression material’s super hydrophilicity also contributes to its reliability, helping it capture precise details. In fact, Imprint 4 wash material shows better hydrophilicity than any other VPS impression material in its unset state. The combination of this unique formulation, long working time and short setting time gives Imprint 4 VPS impression materials outstanding accuracy and means that dentists rarely need to worry about retakes.

Imprint 4 VPS impression material is available in Heavy & Super Quick Heavy, Light & Regular, Super Quick Light & Regular and Putty formulations. 

For more information, call 1-800-634-2249 or visit www.3MESPE.com/Imprint4.

During November 18-24, 2013, the annual Get Smart About Antibiotics Week will be observed. As in past years, the effort will coordinate work of CDC’s Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work campaign, state-based appropriate antibiotic use campaigns, non-profit partners, and for-profit partners during a one week observance of antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic use. As with the past observances, messages and resources for improving antibiotic use in healthcare settings from CDC’s Get Smart for Healthcare campaign will be included. Get Smart for Healthcare is a program housed in CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases.

For more information, click here.

ATLANTA, GA – More than 40 dental practices and attendees at the 2013 American Dental Association (ADA) Annual Session in New Orleans showcased their creativity by participating in “Say Hello to SofPull®!” – an interactive video contest at Georgia-Pacific Professional’s booth. Dentists, dental hygienists and dental office managers from across the United States showed their moves at booth #435.

Now Georgia-Pacific Professional is providing the opportunity for Facebook users to have fun and vote for their favorite video by visiting https://www.facebook.com/georgiapacificdental. The voting period begins Nov. 11 and ends Dec. 9, 2013. Five winners selected by Facebook user “likes” will receive a Jawbone® Mini Jambox speaker and a shot at social media fame. Voting guidance is available on the Facebook page.

“We launched “Say Hello to SofPull®!” as a fun, engaging way to introduce our products to the dental community,” said Sean Foley, senior marketing manager – healthcare, Georgia-Pacific Professional. “Along with helping dental professionals address hygiene and infection control, Georgia-Pacific Professional's products also can help reduce waste and costs in the dental office. Everyone who participated in the contest has helped raise awareness of these critical issues facing dentists today."

Georgia-Pacific Professional is a leading provider of hygienic dispensing systems, towels, tissues, soaps and sanitizers and introduced their product line for the dental office at the 2013 ADA conference. Products include the SofPull® automated touchless towel dispenser, the SofPull® centerpull towel dispenser, Pacific Garden® manual soap and sanitizer dispensers and Compact® coreless bath tissue dispensers. 

ABOUT GEORGIA-PACIFIC PROFESSIONAL

Georgia-Pacific Professional is a provider of hygienic dispensing systems, towels, tissues, soaps, air fresheners, wipers, cups, plates, cutlery and napkins. We serve a wide range of market segments, providing washroom, wiper and foodservice solutions for office buildings, education, healthcare, restaurant, lodging and manufacturing facilities through well-known product brands like enMotion®, Compact®, Dixie®, PerfecTouch®, EasyNap®, SmartStock®, and Brawny Industrial®. For more information about Georgia-Pacific Professional, please call 1-866-HELLO GP (435-5647) or visit us at www.gppro.com.

BALTIMORE, MD.– Do marshmallows make your tongue swell? Gummy bears make you itchy? If you’ve answered yes and are allergic to gelatin, you will want to take some precautions when getting the flu shot. While the vaccine is recommended for those six months of age and older, a case report being presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting notes that individuals with a gelatin allergy can have a mild to severe reaction from the shot.

“Gelatin is used in the flu shot, as well as other vaccines, as a stabilizer,” said Stephanie Albin, MD, an allergist and ACAAI member. “Because it is found in the vaccine, those with a known allergy to gelatin can experience allergic reactions, such as hives, sneezing and difficulty breathing.”

There is a misconception about allergies and the flu shot, with many believing those with an egg allergy should not receive the vaccination. But last month, ACAAI published an update that found even those with a severe egg allergy can receive the vaccine without special precautions.

“Gelatin reactions can cause hives, swelling, itchiness, shortness of breath and a severe life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis,” explained Dr. Albin. “Because of this, precautions should be taken, such as having a board-certified allergist administer the vaccine in a person with known gelatin allergy in case a reaction occurs.”

Gelatin can contain proteins derived from cow, pig or fish. Gelatin can be found in a variety of foods and pharmaceuticals, including gummy vitamins, marshmallows and candy.

“Gelatin allergy is very rare,” said allergist Richard Weber, M.D., ACAAI president. “Many food intolerances can be mistaken as allergies. Those who believe they might have an allergy should be tested and diagnosed by an allergist before taking extreme avoidance measures or skipping vaccinations. The flu shot is an important vaccine and can even be life-saving for individuals that are at an increased risk for severe side effects associated with the flu.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends receiving an annual flu shot, especially for high risk age groups as children and the elderly. The vaccination can be given either as a shot or a nasal spray, both of which can contain gelatin.

For more information about allergies and to locate an allergist in your area, visit AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. The ACAAI Annual Meeting is being held Nov. 7-11 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore. For more news and research being presented at the meeting, follow the conversation on Twitter #ACAAI.

About ACAAI

The ACAAI is a professional medical organization of more than 5,700 allergists-immunologists and allied health professionals, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. The College fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research. ACAAI allergists are board-certified physicians trained to diagnose allergies and asthma, administer immunotherapy, and provide patients with the best treatment outcomes. For more information and to find relief, visit AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. Join us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday proposed measures that would all but eliminate artificial trans fats, the artery clogging substance that is a major contributor to heart disease in the United States, from the food supply. 

To read the New York Times story, click here.