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Diet History Linda Wertheimer speaks with Lisa Hark, PhD, RD, who has been the Director of the Nutrition Education and Prevention Program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia since 1990. Yesterday, the federal government extended the standard of body weight measurement to cover children from age 2 to young adults of 20. This will allow doctors to recognize youngsters with weight problems more easily. Dr. Hark talks about the differences in diet for American children in the 1950's and now. She says that, despite the image we have of children hanging out at malt shops in the 1950's, the availability of fast food is much bigger today and consequently weight is more of a problem for today's children.

All Things Considered

Diet History

Heard on All Things Considered

Diet History

Audio will be available later today.

Linda Wertheimer speaks with Lisa Hark, PhD, RD, who has been the Director of the Nutrition Education and Prevention Program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia since 1990. Yesterday, the federal government extended the standard of body weight measurement to cover children from age 2 to young adults of 20. This will allow doctors to recognize youngsters with weight problems more easily. Dr. Hark talks about the differences in diet for American children in the 1950's and now. She says that, despite the image we have of children hanging out at malt shops in the 1950's, the availability of fast food is much bigger today and consequently weight is more of a problem for today's children.