By Peggy O'Farrell
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Research

Underdiagnosed: Obesity and its complications are rarely diagnosed in preschoolers and young children, a Michigan researcher says.

Dr. Ihuoma U. Eneli and colleagues at Michigan State University found that obesity was identified in less than 1 percent of children who visited a doctor's office or urgent care facility between 1997 and 2000, even though 15 percent of school-aged children and 11 percent of preschoolers are considered obese.

Just over 7 percent of children who were obese were diagnosed as such, Eneli said.

Lack of time was the primary reason diagnosis was so low, she said, and many physicians felt they lacked proper training in behavior modification to counsel children and their parents.

Eneli said a program that can be used within an office setting, rather than a specialized clinic, is needed.

The study was based on reviews of more than 45,000 visits by children 17 and under between 1997 and 2000. Data were provided by the National Center for Health Statistics.

Hot news

Other fix: If ephedrine is pulled off the market, Americans will just turn to other stimulants for weight loss, says a researcher at Ball State University.

Despite risks associated with the drug, people want a simple way to lose weight fast, says Katherine Beals, a nutrition professor.

"Americans are looking for a quick fix. Rather than eating healthfully and exercising, which take time and effort, we would rather pop a pill to lose weight. A pill is thought to be infinitely easier and potentially quicker. Unfortunately, as we saw with fen-phen in the 1990s and now with ephedra, it is also risky," Beals says. "Yet a good many Americans are willing to take that risk and forsake their health in the name of looking good."

Fen-phen was a popular prescription drug combining two appetite suppressants. It was pulled after several people died from taking it.

Tips

Eat smart: Registered dietitian Susie Nanney of the St. Louis University Obesity Prevention Center offers tips for more healthful eating:

• Put chopped vegetables in spaghetti sauce.

• Drink 100 percent fruit juice with snacks instead of pop.

• Substitute lean ham or Canadian bacon for pepperoni or sausage on pizza.

• Cook with low-fat milk.

• Buy fresh fruits and vegetables in season: They taste better and cost less.

Shelf help

Carbed out: The No-Grain Diet (Dutton; $24.95) by Dr. Joseph Mercola offers a plan for weight loss through the elimination of grains, starches and sweets, with tips for managing emotional and physical cravings.

Siting

Booty call: The URL says it all: www.buttexercises.com promises to find moves to tone, tighten and shape up that problem area.

Contact Peggy O'Farrell by phone: 768-8510; fax, 768-8330; e-mail: pofarrell@enquirer.com.