After reviewing more than 40 studies, the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation announced in February 2004 that fat-laden fast food menus and excessive time watching television or playing computer and video games are working together to make American children fatter and fatter.

Children with high blood pressure commonly show an abnormal enlargement of the heart’s main pumping chamber, a condition called left ventricular hypertrophy, and obese children are at particularly high risk. Scientists are concerned that this disease at such a young age could heighten the risk of serious heart problems later in life. (Pediatrics, 2004; 113: 328)

In a study of more than 5,000 kids and adolescents ages 10 to 19, scientists at University of Texas Health Science Center found that overweight children face a far greater risk of high blood pressure than their normal-weight peers do. The new findings, state the authors, emphasize the importance of preventing children from becoming overweight in the first place. (Pediatrics, 2004; 113: 475)

The Pritikin Program no longer recommends Boca Burgers. About a year ago, Kraft Foods bought the Boca Burger brand and, soon after, altered the recipe, adding quite a bit more fat and salt to the veggie burger. Tasty, healthy veggie burger brands are available. Good places to shop are gourmet health food stores and Trader Joe’s markets.