Is it a sweet tooth or an addiction? Researchers at Duke University say junk food can trigger the same response in the brain as they see in people who are addicted to drugs. Other researchers have found similar results in rats.

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Earlier this month, a new study showed fewer schools are selling snacks and drinks like candy and soda. Now, a panel recommends the government make healthy changes to school meals, even though it will increase costs. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) says as obesity continues to rise, breakfast and lunch at schools should be lower in calories, and have more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to help kids adapt better eating habits. The IOM says the changes could increase the cost of breakfast by as much as 25 percent and lunch by 9 percent.

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Pleas to get junk food out of schools may be paying off. New research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds fewer schools are selling snacks and drinks like candy and soda. The report shows high schools and middle schools that sold sugary or salty snacks dropped on average from 54 percent to 36 percent from 2006 to 2008. Those that sold soda and artificial fruit drinks decreased from 62 percent to 37 percent.

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The fight against childhood obesity seems to be gaining momentum lately. Last month, HHS Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, talked about making it a priority to reverse the trend at The Weight of the Nation conference. This week, a new report from the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council recommends steps local governments can take to cut the rates of childhood obesity. Putting a tax on soft drinks and junk food is high on the list.Taxing high sugar drinks has come up before. Do you think it’s a good solution? Would it keep you from buying soft drinks and junk food?

The reports says its suggestions are meant to make it easier for families to make healthier choices. Some of its other recommendations to fight childhood obesity include:

• Use zoning restrictions on fast-food restaurants near schools and playgrounds

• Require publicly run after-school programs to limit video game and TV time

• Build sidewalks that connect to schools, parks, and other destinations

How bad is childhood obesity? Check out the latest stats:

You can see more from the report here.

[Photo Credit: stock.xchng]

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The USDA will have the power to regulate all food sold in schools – including vending machine snacks – when Congress renews programs for child nutrition. Senate Agriculture Committee chairman, Tom Harkin says this will ensure nutrition programs are not “undermined” by junk food in vending machines. Earlier this year, Harkin co-sponsored a bill that focuses on setting nutritional standards for food in school vending machines and stores to help fight childhood obesity rates.

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It seems as though the junkifying of our food may start way early. A new survey from a British food watchdog group finds some baby foods contain as much sugar and saturated fats as cookies or cheeseburgers. The group says many baby foods are advertised as healthy, but in terms of sugar and saturated fat content, some of them are actually worse than junk food.

Want more News Nuggets? Follow me on Twitter!

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Need new ideas on how to fight fat? Want to share your tips and tricks with others? Stop by the FatFighterTV Video Forum – all the details here.

Every week, we feature a different video from the forum. This week, it’s all about my fellow fitness blogging pal, workout mommy. She just happens to have the same problem I have – the dreaded sweet tooth! But since she’s getting in shape for a trip to Florida (I’m so jealous!) she is trying to fight it! Check out her video here. And get motivated to move it at her blog here.

Want to join in the fun? It’s easy! All you have to do is make a short video (like 30 seconds or less) that answers the question, How do YOU fight fat? Show us one healthy thing you do to lose/maintain your weight – no fads, no quick fixes, nothing illegal. But you can make it funny if you want – even adding a punch or a kick is cool, since it is about fighting and all!

Just upload the video over here. I will approve it and let you know when you will be featured.

Let’s all help each other fight fat… and have fun!

Oh, and you can put the widget below on your website, Facebook page, or wherever else you may hang. Just click on “Steal this!”

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It’s so easy to make your own 100 calorie snacks. And by not buying the 100-calorie packs at the store, you’ll not only save money, you can throw in some healthy options, too.
Because I know you’re busy, I did all the math for you, so you can just pack up the snacks and go!

10 Make your own 100-Calorie Snacks

• Goldfish crackers = 40

• Mini Oreos = 7

• Mini Teddy Grahams = 36

• M&Ms (Plain) = 26

• Pretzel sticks = 48

• Wheat crisps (Pepperidge Farm) = 12

• *Pumpkin seeds = 2 tablespoons

• *Soy nuts = 7 teaspoons

• *Mixed nuts = 2.5 tablespoons

• *Grapes = 28

*healthy options

Of course, you can make 100-calorie packs of whatever you want. These are just some pre-calculated options to make it easy.

Check out FatFighterTV’s guest appearance on the Ohio News Network (ONN) talking all about making your own 100-calorie snacks.

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For those of you here in Ohio, I will be on ONN’s Health Journal today at :15 past the hour throughout the day! The topic: 10 Do-it-Yourself 100-calorie snack packs. If you saw the segment, you’ve come to the right place for more information – thanks for stopping by! If you didn’t catch it, no worries – we have the video it for you right here.

We’ve talked about the crazy popular 100-calorie packs here before. Yes, they are junk food. But if they are a small part of your eating plan, then you might as well save some money when you have them, right? Especially in today’s economy. Plus, if you make your own, you can throw in some healthy options.

As promised, here’s more information – I did all the math for you, so you can just pack up the snacks and go! Here’s what we showed you on ONN and how many of each one adds up to 100 calories:

DIY 100-Calorie Snacks

• Goldfish crackers = 40

• Mini Oreos = 7

• Mini Teddy Grahams = 36

• M&Ms (Plain) = 26

• Pretzel sticks = 48

• Wheat crisps (Pepperidge Farm) = 12

• *Pumpkin seeds = 2 tablespoons

• *Soy nuts = 7 teaspoons

• *Mixed nuts = 2.5 tablespoons

• *Grapes = 28

*healthy options

Of course, you can make 100-calorie packs of whatever you want. These are just some pre-calculated options to make it easy.

What do you think of 100-calorie snacks? Do you have a favorite? Make your own? Avoid junk food at all costs?

I confess – I indulge in the 100-calorie packs once in awhile. My favorite? M&Ms – 26 of them is the perfect chocolate fix.

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Why do some people reach for the French fries instead of the fruit? Scientists say one reason may be a gene that’s been linked to an increased risk of obesity. A new study finds children with a common variation of the gene tend to overeat fattening foods – they had 100 extra calories per meal, which over time can add up to a lot of weight.

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