While some teens are meeting each goal separately, only 9% are eating the recommended servings of produce, according to a presentation last Tuesday at the Pediatric Academic Society meeting in Toronto. “Adolescence is when we start forming lifelong habits, so these results are not encouraging,” said Jennifer Foltz, MD, a pediatric fellow and attending physician at the University of Rochester Medical Center. “Even still, small changes can completely reverse these data, and adolescents can develop healthier lifelong habits that could prevent obesity.” Dr. Foltz and her research colleagues found only 0.4% of adolescents meet all four obesity prevention objectives. Nine percent ate five or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables; 27% spent two or fewer hours in front of the TV or computer every day; 32% had an hour or more of daily physical activity; and 14% had no sweetened beverages Most importantly, 41% did not meet any of the prevention goals. The majority (56%) ate one or less fruit or vegetable a day. Over time, they could add an apple for a snack or have a salad, in addition to a vegetable at dinner. This would make a big difference, Dr. Foltz said. Similarly, if the 22% of teens who spend five or more hours in...

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