CancerProject.org recently put out an ad about the connection between colon cancer and processed meats. The ad (which you can watch below) depicts school kids announcing that they have colon cancer, interspersed with images of hot dogs, pizza, and sliced ham, which are all common hot lunch offerings. Studies show that adults who frequently eat processed meats have an increased risk of developing colon cancer.

Critics point out that the children in the ad don't actually have cancer, something some may find misleading. They also say that studies have been done on adults, not children, and that an occasional hot dog hasn't been implicated in an increased risk of the disease.

But here's my argument. Kids who eat hot lunch every day AREN'T getting an occasional serving of processed meat. They're eating them every day. The menu at our school reads like this: hot dog, pizza, meat gravy, chicken nuggets, sliced ham... all with french fries or mashed potatoes. Every week. Though there might not be a direct link between these kinds of meals and colon cancer, this is obviously poor nutrition, and we're serving it to millions of school kids every day.

I'm not sure how I feel about this ad, but I do think our hot lunch programs need a serious overhaul. What do you think?

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Back-to-school means back to sitting in desks all day, a good time to remind kids about posture.

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My son has an excess of energy, so I don't know if he's a good example for a general statement. But if your kids are active from the minute they wake up in the morning, until right before bed, then your kids and my son have a lot in common.

When school starts in a few weeks, I know my son will have a rough transition. Given a choice, he'd love to be out riding his bike and playing kickball year-round. And physical activity has such a positive impact on his mood, behavior, and ability to focus. To help keep his activity levels as high as possible, we'll start the same routine we used last year.

• Before school, we'll head to the backyard (as long as the weather permits) and practice soccer moves, he'll ride around the block on his bike, or I'll throw him some pitches. In the winter, we'll have a.m. Dance, Dance, Revolution contests or I'll set up a relay race through the house for him.

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For most school is back in full swing, and as the first few days and weeks are past homework is starting to pile on in that nasty way it always does. I remember when I was a kid in school I used to wish my backpack had wheels on it like airline luggage, and although today some of them actually do many kids still use the traditional on-the-back backpack. And last year there were 7,300 injuries reported in U.S. emergency rooms due to backpacks that were overstuffed.

It's recommended that kids carry no more than 15% of their body weight, which isn't that much when you start piling on history and algebra books. Sometimes they even end up so packed with stuff they won't even zip shut! If your child has red marks from the backpack's straps, struggles to put the bag on or take it off, or of course is actually complaining of pain then the bag is too heavy. Consider getting them a bag that is proportionately sized to your child, has well-padded shoulder straps, and possibly even wheels if that makes sense. Some parents have even requested a second set of textbooks so it isn't necessary to tote them to and from school -- smart idea!


Via FitSugar

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Are you overwhelmed by the school supply lists your child's teacher hands out? If you're an eco-savvy consumer, you may be feeling overwhelmed for a different reason. That seemingly endless stream of paper, pencils, pens, crayons, and notebooks has to come from somewhere, and trees and natural resources pay the price. In addition, the new clothing, books, backpacks, and sports gear can take a toll on the environment as well when multiplied by the millions of children in school worldwide.

If you want to reduce your family's impact on the Earth during this back-to-school season, check out this article from Canadian Living and the accompanying slide show. Using recycled notebooks, refillable pens, and reusable water bottles can go a long way toward keeping junk out of our landfills. And don't forget, these same items are great for use in your own home office as well!

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They first came out in 2002, and now Crocs are everywhere. Although they're mostly a summer shoe, they have been making their way well into fall and the school season on the feet of kids and adults alike. But this back-to-school season some parents and schools are asking the question: are they safe? WebMd asked the experts and found that there are both pros and cons:

Pros: In the summer Crocs are a great alternative to flip-flops, sandals, or going barefoot because they provide more support and protection, allow the feet to breath, and many have antibacterial properties that can help promote foot health.

Cons: During the school year crocs are not recommended because they aren't intended or designed for all-day wear, they may come off during activities because they fit so loosely, and, of course, as the school year moves into fall and winter, the weather can quickly become an issue.

Bottom line? Pack the Crocs away when summer is over.

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Sadly, many of today's college kids suffer from health problems that in years past were usually reserved for their parents and grandparents. It's not uncommon for young adults in their upper teens and early twenties to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sedentary lifestyles. This, obviously, sets them up for much more serious chronic illnesses later in life. Good news is that the younger people are when they start to make healthy changes the better, so by encouraging a few good habits now it's possible health disasters can be averted later.

There's a whole list of college-friendly things to make sure you're trying to do, but big ones that students often struggle with is making sure to eat at least 3 square meals per day, getting enough sleep, getting enough exercise, and avoiding unhealthy mindless snacking.

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As fabulous as we at That's Fit think this blog is, the truth is there are hundreds of wonderful blogs on healthy living to be seen all over the blogosphere. So in this feature, Fit Links, we'll introduce you to some that have caught our eye.

When the "school supplies" section is moved front and center of every store, and those isles are full of parents holding crumpled checklists and a mix of excited and panicked-looking children, you know that back to school time is getting close.

Such a big part of your child's life obviously plays a big part in their health, so here's a few blogs to keep you in the back-to-school health loop this year!

Back2School2007 is on top of all kinds of health issues relating to school, from backbacks and back health to the campaign for healthier school lunches.

The Lifestyle Section of the Detroit News has medical checklist to help make sure you haven't forgotten anything your child needs to get a healthy start to the school year.

Busy Moms Recipes has a great list of healthy lunch and snack ideas - beyond sandwiches!

Back-to-school season often means back-to-school shopping, and one of the purchases you need to make may be a backpack. Before you buy, take a minute to read this article about children's backpacks so that you can make the best decision based on your child's situation. For instance, did you know that despite the fact that sling backpacks are popular, they can cause shoulder pain? Other tips include:

• Look for padded shoulder straps -- the thicker, the better.
• Wheeled backpacks are not always better. Consider whether your child will have to haul the backpack up stairs or through snow before buying.
• Conservative estimates say a backpack shouldn't be packed with more than 10% of a child's body weight.
  
• Teach your child to wear their backpack correctly. For tips on how to do that, click here.

Finally, Rigel recently wrote about these ergonomically designed backpacks that are built to spread weight a little more evenly across the shoulders.

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It seems like summer just got started, yet already we're starting to hear echoes and whispers of "back to school." Of course back to school is the biggest season for the backpack industry, but year round people who have active outdoor lifestyles find themselves in need of a sturdy and comfortable way to carry stuff around. But unfortunately all too often backpacks are responsible for back, shoulder, and neck pain when they get overstuffed and all their design flaws become painfully obvious.

So this year before you go shopping check out these 4 ergonomically designed backpacks suggested by Natural Health -- ranging in price from $10 to $90 there's something for every taste and budget.

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