Obesity Linked to Abnormal Reward Response to Sugary Foods

An unhealthy diet is considered a key contributor to obesity. When it comes to cravings for sweet treats, however, impairments in the brain's reward system might be to blame.

In a new study published in the journal Diabetes, researchers found age and receptor levels of the reward-associated chemical dopamine influence preference for sweet foods among people of a healthy weight, but not for people who are obese.

First author M. Yanina Pepino, Ph.D., of the Washington University School of Medicine, and colleagues reached their findings by enrolling 44 adults aged 20-40 years.

Read more: Obesity Linked to Abnormal Reward Response to Sugary Foods

Researchers say the reward system in the brains of obese individuals appears to be impaired in
response to sweet foods.

Source: medicalnewstoday

Still too high in fat and sodium in kids' meals.

What will it take to get children to choose fruit instead of ice cream when eating out? Despite a move by many restaurants toward healthier kids' meals, research published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior shows that while calorie ratings have improved, there is still a way to go in reducing fat, sodium and sugar.

For many American children, eating out is routine.

Studies show that, while home-prepared food has more nutritional value than restaurant meals, the diets of most children in the US already lack fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy items.

The options available in restaurants, meanwhile, often contain excess calories, solid fats, sodium and added sugar.

Many restaurants have already begun offering healthier choices for children, in anticipation of legislation that will require calorie counts to be included on menus from December 2016.

For the past 6 years, healthier children's dishes have been among the top 10 food trends in the National Restaurant Association's annual survey of chefs.

Read more: Still too high in fat and sodium in kids' meals.

Fat and sodium still feature excessively in kids' meals.

Source: medicalnewstoday