Energy Balance 101   (Discovery Education)

Tips for Managing Beverage Calories   

Understanding Nutrition Labels   

Consumers Respond to Lower Calorie Beverage Options   (ABA)

Food and Beverage Manufacturers Pledging to Reduce Annual Calories By 1.5 Trillion By 2015   (HWC)

Sugar Substitutes Do Not Increase Hunger Levels or Increase Desire to Eat More   (CCC)

Family Meals, Vegetables May Keep Kids Trim    (Reuters)

Want To Keep The Weight Off? Get on Your Bik   (Reuters)

Want to Lose Weight? Keep a Journal of What You Eat   (Reuters)

People Get Hungrier When They're Starved For Sleep   (Reuters)

After-school Exercise Helps Overweight Girls   (Reuters)

Forget "Fad" Diets and Eat Less, Say UK Experts   (Reuters)

Beverages & Satiety...Sorting Out the Science. A Conversation with Dr. Adam Drewnowski   
In this interview, obesity expert Dr. Adam Drewnowski discusses satiety research, including research related to satiety and beverages.

American Dietetic Association Finds Aspartame Does Not Increase Appetite or Food Intake   (aspartame.org)
A 2009 evidence-based research review by the American Dietetic Association concludes that using aspartame as a sweetener has no effect on appetite orfood intake.

Energy Balance and Weight Management   Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2010)
Energy balance refers to the balance between calories consumed through eating and drinking and those calories expended through physical activity and metabolic processes. Energy consumed must equal energy expended for a person to remain at the same body weight. Overweight and obesity will result from excess calorie intake and/or inadequate physical activity. Weight loss will occur when a calorie deficit exists, which can be achieved by eating less, being more physically active, or a combination of the two. View complete DGAC Report

Use of Nutritive and Nonnutritive Sweeteners   Position of the American Dietetic Association
J Am Dietet Assoc. 2004;104:255-275.
By increasing palatability of nutrient-dense foods/beverages, sweeteners can promote diet healthfulness. Scientific evidence supports neither that intakes of nutritive sweeteners by themselves increase the risk of obesity nor that nutritive or nonnutritive sweeteners cause behavioral disorders. However, nutritive sweeteners increase risk of dental caries. High fructose intakes may cause hypertriglyceridemia and gastrointestinal symptoms in susceptible individuals. Thus, it is the position of The American Dietetic Association that consumers can safely enjoy a range of nutritive and nonnutritive sweeteners when consumed in a diet that is guided by current federal nutrition recommendations, such as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Dietary References Intakes, as well as individual health goals.

Prevention of pediatric overweight and obesity   American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement
PEDIATRICS Vol. 112 No. 2 August 2003, pp. 424-430. Reaffirmed PEDIATRICS Vol. 119 No. 2 February 2007, pp. 405. This position statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics" proposes strategies for early identification of excessive weight gain by using body mass index, for dietary and physical activity interventions during health supervision encounters, and for advocacy and research."

The Health Effects of High Fructose Syrup: Report 3 of the Council on Science and Public Health   (A-08). American Medical Association (2008)
"Because the composition of HFCS and sucrose are so similar, particularly on absorption by the body, it appears unlikely that HFCS contributes more to obesity or other conditions than sucrose. Nevertheless, few studies have evaluated the potentially differential effect of various sweeteners, particularly as they relate to health conditions such as obesity, which develop over relatively long periods of time. Improved nutrient databases are needed to analyze food consumption in epidemiological studies, as are more strongly designed experimental studies. At the present time, there is insufficient evidence to restrict use of HFCS or other fructose-containing sweeteners in the food supply or to require the use of warning labels on products containing HFCS."

Weight Management   Position of the American Dietetic Association
This position paper presents the current data and recommendations for weight management. Includes the evidence supporting the value of portion control, eating frequency, meal replacements, and very-low-energy diets, as well as physical activity, behavior therapy, pharmacotherapy, and surgery.

2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans    
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) “Physical activity and caloric intake both must be considered when trying to help control body weight. Because of this role in energy balance, physical activity is a critical factor in determining whether a person can maintain a healthy body weight, lose excess body weight, or maintain successful weight loss.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   (CDC)
“Overweight and obesity result from an energy imbalance. This involves eating [and drinking] too many calories and not getting enough physical activity…When it comes to maintaining a healthy weight for a lifetime, the bottom line is – calories count! Weight management is all about balance – balancing the number of calories you consume with the number of calories your body uses or ‘burns off.’…To remain in balance and maintain your body weight, the calories consumed…from foods [and beverages] must be balanced by the calories used (in normal body functions, daily activities, and exercise).”

Sit Less, Move More – Understanding Inactivity & Helping Patients Adopt Healthier Behaviors   (Webinar)
With Dr. Marc Hamilton and Dr. Catherine Christie. This course describes the rapidly growing field of "inactivity physiology," which is taking aim at improving health in a sedentary society and targeting some of the most common diseases caused sedentary lifestyles.

Hydration & Physical Activity – Risks, Challenges and Benefits   (Webinar)
Two of the world's leading experts in sports nutrition and hydration, Dr. Ronald Maughan and Dr. Bob Murray, will review the key elements related to the science of hydration and physical activity with special emphasis on the benefits of remaining properly hydrated and the risks of drinking too little or too much.

Understanding Americans’ Approach to Weight Management: The Role of Low-Calorie Sweeteners   (CPE Program)
In this webinar, Dr. Adam Drewnowski, an expert in eating behavior and satiety research, and registered dietitian Robyn Flipse discusses factors that impact consumers’ food choices and eating behavior and how each relates to weight management challenges, and the role of low- and no-calorie sweeteners inweight management.

Move It! - Research Updates from the Activity Side of the Energy Balance Equation   (CPE Program)
In this program, Dr. Steven Blair and Dr. Timothy Church review the latest research in the fitness/fatness debate and the growing support for the role of physical activity in promoting healthful aging and preventing serious diseases, including heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and strategies for motivating clients to put more physical activity into their daily lives.

Mindset: A New Strategy for Health Behavior Change   (CPE Program)
In this program, Stanford University Professor Dr. Carol Dweck introduces Mindset, a concept that can be used with other lifestyle behavior theories and models to promote effective patient health behavior change and Dr. Lola Coke provides an overview of behavior change models and how health professionals can use these techniques to help clients achieve behavior change.

Motivational Interviewing in Action: Skills & Tools to Enhance Change in Physical Activity Behavior   (Webinar)
Julie Schwartz, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, ACSM-HFS and Lola Coke, PhD, APRN-BC, ACNS, FAHA, FPCNA give this lively presentation on the principles of motivational interviewing and other behavior change tools. Every healthcare professional needs a toolkit of different behavior change strategies to deal with diverse populations of patients

Helping Consumers Get the “Big Picture:” Practical Approaches to Promoting a Healthful, Balanced Eating Pattern   (CPE Program - IFIC)
This free CPE program from the The International Food Information Council website covers the scientific support for a balanced, food-based eating plan and dietary patterns; nutrients of concern and food group shortfalls common in the diets of many consumers; common consumer stumbling blocks that lead to inadequate eating pattern; and practical counseling and communications strategies to encourage consumers to adopt more healthful eating patterns.

Physical Activity: The Key to Keeping Your Child Healthy    
First in the series, “Active Healthy Lifestyle. A Guide for Parents” developed by Dr. Marcela Gonzales-Gross et al, this fact sheet helps parents teach children to adopt sensible, balanced fitness and nutrition habits.

Helping Your Children Become Physically Active    
Second in the series, “Active Healthy Lifestyle. A Guide for Parents” developed by Dr. Marcela Gonzales-Gross et al, this fact sheet helps parents teach children to adopt sensible, balanced fitness and nutrition habits.

Nutrition Basics For Healthy Eating    
Third in the series, “Active Healthy Lifestyle. A Guide for Parents” developed by Dr. Marcela Gonzales-Gross et al, this fact sheet helps parents teach children to adopt sensible, balanced fitness and nutrition habits.

Lowdown on Low-Calorie Sweeteners    
This referenced booklet provides the latest science-based information about low- and no-calorie sweeteners, from aspartame to rebiana, the new high-purity zero calorie sweetener from the stevia leaves. Covers acceptable daily intakes, estimates of current US consumption levels, impact on appetite and body weight. A concise consumer-oriented brochure is also available.

Hitting the Sweet Spot in an Active, Healthy Lifestyle    
This Beverage Institute consumer handout compares HFCS and table sugar and provides tips on achieving energy balance and information on the calorie levels of a variety of Coca-Cola Company products sold in the U.S.

Questions and Answers About Low-Calorie Sweeteners, Appetite and Weight Management    
From the International Food Information Council.

The Truth about Sugars: 10 Facts You May Not Know    
From the International Food Information Council.

BMI Calculator for Adults   

Calorie Needs Calculator for Adults   

Calories Burned Calculator for Adults   

Beverage Calorie Comparison Tool   

ChooseMyPlate SuperTracker   (USDA)

MyFood-A-Pedia   (USDA)

Portion Distortion Interactive Quiz   (NHLBI)

Mindless Eating Quiz   by Professor Brian Wansink

Food Calorie Calculator   (Calorie Control Council)

Diet Assessment Calorie Calculator   (Calorie Control Council)

Energy Balance Calculators and Tools   (EUFIC)

Diet vs exercise for the prevention of pediatric obesity: the role of exercise   
Gutin B. Int J Obes. 2010, Jul 20.

Overweight and Obesity: Causes and Consequences    
Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009.

Portion size: review and framework for interventions    
Steenhuis IH, Vermeer WM. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2009; 21;6:58.

The "healthy lifestyle guide pyramid" for children and adolescents    
González-Gross M, Gómez-Lorente JJ, Valtueña J, Ortiz JC, Meléndez A. Nutr Hosp. 2008;23(2):159-68.

Small changes in dietary sugar and physical activity as an approach to preventing excessive weight gain: the America on the Move family study    
Rodearmel SJ, Wyatt HR, Stroebele N, Smith SM, Ogden LG, Hill JO. Pediatrics. 2007;120(4):e869-79.

Role of physical activity in preventing and treating obesity    
Hill JO, Wyatt HR. J Appl Physiol. 2005;99(2):765-70.

Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein and Amino Acids    
Institute of Medicine 2002.

ChooseMyPlate   (USDA)

Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation   (HWF)

Energy Balance 101   (Discovery Education)

Energy Balance   (EUFIC)

SmallStep.gov   (USDA)

We Can!   (HNLBI)

America On the Move   

American Dietetic Association   (ADA)

International Food Information Council   (IFIC)

National Weight Control Registry   (US)

U.S. Physical Activity Plan   
The National Physical Activity Plan focuses on changing policies at the federal, state, and local levels to improve physical activity and health.

EU Platform for Diet, Physical Activity and Health   (EU)