It’s no secret that America has a weight problem. The latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tell us that roughly 28 percent of American adults are obese, and our children are quickly following suit. But sometimes help can come from the most unlikely places, which is what researchers in Japan discovered recently.

Published in this month’s European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, results from a 12-week study revealed that probiotics may play a significant role in the battle against obesity. More than 80 participants were chosen based on high body mass index (BMI) and abdominal fat and asked to drink 200g daily of a fermented milk beverage, either with or without a probiotic strain called Lactobacillus gasseri. The outcome was a more than 4% decrease in abdominal and subcutaneous fat in those who received the probiotic, as well as a significant decrease in body weight and waistline.

While more research needs to be done to determine exactly how probiotics support healthy weight management, scientists believe it has something to do with how they affect our metabolism. Of course, we already know these beneficial bacteria play a significant role in better digestion, regularity, immune function and overall health, so don’t forget your probiotics!

abdominal fat, Americans, Beneficial Bacteria, better digestion, BMI, body mass index, body weight, children, fermented milk, healthy weight, immune function, metabolism, nutrition, obese, overall health, probiotic strain, probiotics, regularity, waistline, weight loss, weight management Hide

It’s a daily struggle for moms and dads everywhere: getting kids to make healthy choices when all they want to do is gobble down fast food and spend hours in front of the television. But the good news is that by teaching them early about the importance of healthy dietary and lifestyle habits, you can give your children the tools they need to become healthier adults. Here are some quick tips to help you get started:

Don’t Forget the Fiber

A high-fiber diet provides countless benefits for growing bodies, including heart health, better digestion, and even healthy weight management. Fiber-rich foods help manage hunger by supporting healthy blood sugar levels, and they typically have a lower energy density (the number of calories in a particular volume of food) than foods with fewer grams of fiber, which means they pack fewer calories per bite. Most experts recommend that kids eat their “age plus 5” in grams of fiber every day, so a natural fiber supplement can help make up for what they don’t get from their diet.

Prepare Healthy Snacks Beforehand

Sure, store-bought snacks are convenient, but are they healthy? For most pre-packaged goodies, the answer is no. Instead, many are heavily processed and contain high amounts of refined sugar but very little nutritional value. Your best bet is to set aside some time each week to prepare healthy snack options—think chopped fruits and veggies, cheese slices or homemade trail mix—them keep them on hand in the fridge or pantry for a quick, wholesome snack anytime.

Get Active

According to the National Institutes of Health, kids should get at least one hour of physical exercise every day to help build healthy bones and keep muscles and joints strong and flexible. Regular exercise can also help burn calories and promote healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Getting active can also help ease stress, increase mental clarity and boost their self-esteem—not to mention help kids sleep better at night!

Set the Example

When all is said and done, the surest way to teach kids about better habits is to set the example. Make healthy eating and regular exercise a part of your daily life, and be sure to talk to your kids about good nutrition and how it will help their bodies now and in the future. The more they know, the healthier your kids will be, and soon making smart choices will be second nature!

active, better digestion, blood sugar, bones, calories, children, cholesterol, Diet, dietary, exercise, fast food, fiber, fruits and veggies, good nutrition, habits, healthy choices, healthy snack options, healthy weight managment, heart health, High Fiber Diet, kids, kids sleep, lifestyle, manage hunger, mental clarity, Muscles, Natural Fiber Supplement, nutrition, physical exercise, refined sugar, self-esteem, snacks, stress Hide