We all know we need to eat a healthy diet full of a variety of fruits and vegetables. We know that doing this will help us feel better, improve our immune system, help us live longer, and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is needed for our bodies to function properly. But even though we know how essential fruits and vegetables are to our well-being, only 14% of American adults eat the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables according to a report released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported by USA Today.

USA Today quoted Marisa Moore, a registered dietitian in Atlanta and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association as saying, “It’s absolutely possibly for adults to change their eating patterns.” And because adults are the best role models for children, it’s absolutely necessary for adults to make an effort to change. We have made children’s health a topic of several discussions here on Science & Health News but adult health is important too, so we decided to focus on the adults today.

Recent studies have found that your diet can affect both your memory and your vision. In The Telegraph, scientists at the University of Cincinnati have found that grapes can reduce or even reverse memory loss. This was a fairly small study but the “trends suggested improved short-term memory retention and spatial, non-verbal memory.” The study gives further weight to the suggestion that the consumption of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables may help slow or reverse memory decline.

The Sun Sentinel discusses the topic of vision. According to a national survey, Americans pay little attention to vision changes until it’s too advanced to treat. Obviously routine eye exams are necessary to catch problems before it’s too late but they also suggest looking at your diet. A diet rich in lutein – found in green leafy vegetable such as broccoli and Kale – and fatty acids can aid in vision health.

* Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.

Putting all political beliefs aside, we are very glad to see someone taking such a serious and active look at the health of our nation’s children. First Lady, Michelle Obama, has been making headlines this week due to her national public awareness campaign against childhood obesity called Let’s Move.

Today, one in three American children are overweight. This puts them at a higher risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other illnesses that nobody should have to worry about until much later in life. According to the L.A. Times, Obama’s campaign is aimed at solving the childhood obesity problem  so that the children of today can reach adulthood at a healthy weight.

Michelle tells USA Today why this is so important to her. The First Lady is just like any other mom. She juggled school pick-ups, a busy husband, and a job. When it came to mealtime, she was too tired to cook and drive-thrus or takeout were a simple and attractive alternative. When her pediatrician told Michelle he was concerned with the fluctuations in her daughter’s weight, Michelle realized those ‘easy’ meals weren’t doing anybody any favors in the long run. So she decided it was time to do something about it. That something has become the Let’s Move campaign.

Let us know your thoughts on the the Let’s Move campaign and Michelle’s fights against childhood obesity.