Good to Know

Teenagers’ poor sleep habits could increase their risk for weight gain and other cardiometabolic diseases, new research has found.

Have you spotted this new label when browsing the grocery store aisles? It’s the new way GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are labeled under USDA guidelines that went into effect last month. Data from the American Academy of Pediatrics says that 73% of high school students get less than the recommended eight to ten hours of sleep each night, which has been linked to increased risk for poor mental health, poor academic performance, and behavioral problems. But new research also links the lack of shut eye to weight gain because teens have worse dietary habits when they sleep less.

Teenagers consumed more foods that were likely to spike blood sugar fast -- things like foods high in carbs and added sugar, or sugary drinks when they were short on sleep, the study found. The research found that teens in short sleep consumed 12 extra grams of sugar each day. With most teenagers not getting sufficient sleep during the 180 nights of a school year, an extra 12 grams of added sugar each day could result in over 4.5 pounds of extra sugar each year.

“We know that pediatric obesity is an epidemic, and we’ve focused on a lot of interventions to try and address it, but sleep is not one of the things that researchers tend to focus on,” said Dr. Kara Duraccio, a BYU clinical and developmental psychology professor and lead author of the study that appeared in the medical journal, SLEEP. “If we are really trying to discover preventative strategies or interventions to increase optimal weight in teens, getting enough and well-timed sleep should be at the forefront of our efforts.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is calling on men to step up as mentors. The agency has a growing list of children waiting to be matched with adult mentors, and more than three times as many boys are waiting as girls.

“The number of boys on the waiting list to receive Big Brothers is currently in the hundreds,” said President and CEO Mark O’Donnell. “Over 75% percent of our mentees come from single-parent households, a majority of which only have a mother or female guardian looking for a consistent and caring male role model in their children’s lives. We need male-identifying volunteers, men of color, and all volunteers fluent in Spanish to seriously consider signing up to be a mentor for these children.”

Volunteers must be 18 years old or older and be able to commit a few hours a few times a month for at least a year. To find out more, visit www.emassbigs.org. Foods that have previously been labeled as containing GMOS are now known as “bioengineered” (“BE” for short) or having been “derived from bioengineering,” or come with a phone number or QR code guiding consumers to more information online.

The new rule requires food manufacturers, importers and retailers to disclose information whether foods are bioengineered or use bioengineered ingredients. Dietary supplement manufacturers must also follow the new labeling rules, though restaurants do not.

Other kinds of official certifications like USDA Organic and NON-GMO Project Verified are still allowed.

GIRL SCOUTS

It’s Girl Scout cookie season and the lineup is more decadent than ever with a brand new, brownie-inspired cookie. Adventurefuls are an indulgent chocolate cookie with caramelflavored creme and a hint of sea salt. Not sure where to find cookies in your area? Download the “Girl Scout Cookie Finder” app and press “Find Cookies Now” (which may or may not be a dangerous button).