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    Blog Posts by Len Saunders

    • A Leading Nutritionist's View on Maintaining Healthy Children

      By Len Saunders | Healthy Living – Tue, Oct 2, 2012 7:46 PM EDT

      Nutrition Expet Heidi SkolnikRecently, I had the privilege of sitting down with Heidi Skolnik, M.S., C.D.N., FACSM, who is a nationally recognized leader in nutrition. She is founder and president of Nutrition Conditioning, which oversees the nutrition programs at The Juilliard School, The New York Knicks, School of American Ballet, and Fordham University Athletics. She has worked with the NY Giants Football team for 18 years and has consulted to professional teams for 25 years including the NFL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, MLS, as well as Olympic, collegiate, high school and recreational athletes. I wanted to share some of Heidi's views on childhood obesity, diet, and nutrition.

      How do you think children's eating habits today have contributed to childhood obesity?

      Eating habits and lifestyle choices have contributed to childhood obesity. Children are less active than they used to be - focused on watching TV and playing video games instead of after school sports or playing with friends outdoors.

      Family meal

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    • Dieting Vs. Making Changes

      By Len Saunders | Healthy Living – Tue, Oct 2, 2012 1:12 PM EDT

      I have been involved in the health and fitness industry for over 30 years, and usually, the number one question I always get is - "how can I lose weight?" This question has baffled modern day mankind for years. Humans at any age can gain weight, sometimes within their control, other times, not within their control. Usually their initial reaction to weight gain is "I need to go on a diet."

      For many, a diet may not be the answer. In fact, most people do not diet correctly, as they deprive their body of important macro-nutrients (Carbohydrates, Proteins, & Fats). For example, many people want to cut fat from their diet, but fat can play an important role in maintaining a healthy body. There are good fats to eat (Unsaturated Fats) and bad fats to eat (Saturated Fats). But, digesting fat is important to maintaining and regulating hormone levels, body temperature, insulating the body, protecting organs, and for the transport / absorption of vitamins A, D, E, & K. For many when it

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    • 7 tips to help your child live healthier

      By Len Saunders | Team Mom – Mon, Aug 20, 2012 12:20 PM EDT

      Keep You Children Fit It is a busy world out there, not only for the parent, but for the child. With large amounts of homework, team sports, social obligations, technology, and other extra-curricular activities, your little 'executives' are finding less time to eat healthy and exercise. This lifestyle is causing a generation of children whose life expectancy could potentially be shorter than their parents. With heart disease on the rise in children (high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, high triglycerides, increased insulin levels, physical activity, and obesity), parents should be overwhelmingly concerned about their children's lifestyle.

      Simple changes can go a long way to helping your children continue to live healthy. Education is the key! There are many reputable web sites on the net that can assist parents with the challenges many kids face today with regards to nutrition, exercise, hydration, or sleep. One excellent resource is the We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & N

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    • Childhood Obesity: A Growing Concern

      By Len Saunders | Healthy Living – Wed, Aug 1, 2012 8:40 AM EDT

      Unless you have been hiding under a rock, you know that childhood obesity has been a very hot topic over the years. The sad truth, there are many experts who are now claiming that this could be the first generation of children whose life expectancy may be shorter than their parents. Whether fact or fiction, these claims are not going away so quickly, and should send off a "red flag of concern" for any parent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years are obese. Since 1980, obesity prevalence among children and adolescents has almost tripled." Annika Sorenstam, World Golf Hall of Famer and President of ANNIKA Brand of Businesses states sometimes just the simplest changes to a child's routine can help them lead a healthier lifestyle such as "reducing their amount of sugar, increasing water intake, and reducing an hour a day from computer time."

      The obvious question that pops to mind

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