Katie Couric's Notebook: Snacking

By: Katie Couric
Topics: Katie Couric's Notebook

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Snack wraps. Snack cups. Snack packs. They're everywhere.

Taco Bell even pushes the concept of a "fourth meal" - just in case breakfast, lunch AND dinner didn't do the trick.

According to a new study, U.S. children eat nearly three snacks every day, consuming more than a quarter of their calories between meals...often in handfuls of candy, chips and cookies. And the greatest increase in snacking over the past three decades is among children between the ages of two to six.

The report, from the University of North Carolina, says American kids are "moving toward constant eating," a scary notion when more than 30 percent are already overweight or obese.

The First Lady is tackling the issue with her new Let's Move! program, and the USDA wants to ban junk food in school vending machines.

But eating habits are really shaped at home. We can start by avoiding anything with the word "snack" in its name...and by reminding our kids that the idea of three square meals doesn't include a fourth, packed with sugar, salt and fat.

That's a page from my notebook.

I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.

1 Comment Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment


by petersemkiw March 11, 2010 2:03 AM EST: Yes, Snacks seem to be everywhere.
It's a matter of serious concern to learn from this study that the greatest incidence of snacking over the past three decades is among children from the ages of two to six.
If we want to reduce the incidence of diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease developing in our children,and all the other associated health problems that go along with obesity, then children and parents need to be educated and provided more information and resources in order to learn about the importance of proper eating habits and nutrition, exercise and physical activity.

The First Lady's Let's Move Program is certain to bring national attention to this issue, and much remains to be done in the schools, at home, and with possible legislative action that could ban junk food in school vending machines and levy higher taxes on junk food and high caloric sodas as well.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure !; Reply to this comment