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The "Moving Children" initiative advises more activity in winter
In recent years, the lack of exercise among children has increased dramatically. Every fourth child in Germany only plays outside once a week. Now, in the winter time, exercise in the fresh air is even rarer. Obesity, as well as coordination, concentration and learning problems are the alarming consequences. This is confirmed by a study by the University of Karlsruhe. That's why Rosi Mittermaier-Neureuther, patron of the "Children move" initiative, a project of the German Olympic Society and Adam Opel AG, advises: "Parents, make sure that your children let off steam in winter too!"
Children are hardly enthusiastic about a normal holiday walk. But as soon as the parents turn it into a special experience, the children join in with fun and joy. That's why the "Kids move" initiative has put together five simple tips that they can use to get moving even during the cold Christmas season:
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How we Germans rate our weight loss
If the excess pounds have to go, the Germans today tend to take gentle measures. Radical measures to reduce weight or sophisticated diets that promise quick success are no longer popular. This has now been found out by a current and representative study* for the health department of the magazine "bella". 31 percent of those surveyed are of the opinion that you have to change your diet in order to lose weight permanently. At 39 percent, men in particular are of this opinion, while 24 percent of women agree. In the survey, an average of 19 percent stated that they "prefer to exercise more" in order to combat the fat rolls and hip rings. Again, there are more men (23 percent) than women (15 percent). They tend to rely more on diets and try out different options. However, 27 percent of women also admit that they will stop dieting once the extra pounds are gone - 20 percent even admit that they have not yet stuck to a single diet.
However, people in this country agree on one thing: Regardless of what's in fashion - Twiggy today or Rubens model tomorrow - for 80 percent of people their own well-being comes first. For 45 percent, this may not happen with too many pounds on their ribs, but 35 percent say absolutely clear: "Sometimes more, sometimes less - you shouldn't take that too seriously!" To fight the pounds, 79 percent spontaneously think of the famous FDH ("eat half") method. This is followed by the food combining program with 67 percent, followed by the Weight Watchers method with 61 percent. Only then do the more radical zero diet (52 percent) or the pineapple diet (27 percent) follow. And: 19 percent do not rely on a specific method - but on a consistent change in diet.
"bella" published more details in its issue that was published on December 23.12.2003, 500. The Hamburg media services company F&S Internet Infotainment GmbH (www.fsiigmbh.de) asked XNUMX selected German citizens online about the subject at short notice.
* The structure of the online study is representative of the adult population aged 18 to 45 according to the specifications of the Federal Statistical Office (microcensus).
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The red wine and the migraine
Red wine can trigger an attack in some migraine sufferers. London migraine researchers tried to find out why even good drops can turn out to be "chateau migraine" - in vain. Unfortunately, migraine sufferers have to try it out for themselves whether red wine is a personal trigger factor or not. "However, you should use a good red wine and only consume it in moderation," advise the experts of the German Migraine and Headache Society with a wink, "otherwise the headache could have other reasons."
What does red wine have that other alcoholic beverages don't have? There are a few positive attributes to list, including the cardio-protective effect. But many migraine sufferers do without a glass of good wine with their Christmas goose. It could trigger a migraine attack.
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Technical Briefing and Webcast with US Government Officials on BSE Case Monday, December 29, 2003
DR. RON DEHAVEN: Let me speak first from an investigation standpoint. We are continuing to work with our Canadian colleagues to verify the trace-back of the indexed or positive animal.
One issue that has been of particular concern was the initial discrepancy in the age of the animal as reported by our records in the US versus those records that were available in Canada.
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Business is reviving
After the holidays at the end of the year and the associated calm on the markets, trading in agricultural markets should quickly return to normal in January. However, experience has shown that business is quieter than before Christmas; however, retailers should initially replenish their inventories quickly. As the month progresses, interest is then more subdued. Consumer demand picks up after the holiday ends but is more focused on cheaper items, particularly in the meat section. The proceeds for young bulls and cows for slaughter will at best increase slightly, while those for calves will decrease. It remains to be seen whether the private storage for pork decided by the EU will bring about a general trend reversal in the slaughter pig market. The markets are sufficiently supplied with poultry and eggs. The amount of milk at the dairies continues to increase, so that sufficient raw materials are available for butter, cheese and milk powder. Demand for potatoes should be calm. Larger quantities of apples than in the previous year are waiting for sale, winter vegetables are sometimes scarce. Inexpensive sections are moving to the fore
After the turn of the year, the bull fatteners should no longer see the need to sell their animals at any price, as was sometimes the case in December. The number of young bulls will therefore be smaller again. It remains to be seen whether there will be any pent-up demand on the demand side after the turn of the year. Should sales of the beef stored for the Christmas business be unsatisfactory, increased demand after the holidays could be met with the remaining quantities. Little relief is expected from the export markets. If slaughter cow prices follow the trend of the past few years, prices will rise slightly in January. The supply of slaughter cows is not expected to be too large and the needs of the meat processing industry are likely to increase somewhat. However, if the dairy cow keepers were to slaughter more cows due to the threat of exceeding the quotas, the price fixings in the slaughter cow sector would be tightly limited. The marketing of veal will take a back seat and producer prices will probably decline from December to January.
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With the announcement of the new Cocoa Ordinance on December 23, consumer protection against misleading and deception will be significantly improved, since in future the provisions of the Food Labeling Ordinance will also apply to cocoa and chocolate products. Important consumer information, such as the best-before date and the list of ingredients, must now also be given on the labels of cocoa and chocolate products.
The new Cocoa Ordinance also contains - as before - manufacturing requirements for products such as cocoa powder, chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, filled chocolate and pralines and regulations on the permitted ingredients that may be used in the manufacture of these products. It should be emphasized that in future the use of certain vegetable fats other than cocoa butter will be permitted in the manufacture of some chocolate products. In order to ensure sufficient consumer information, these products must be labeled with the note "contains other vegetable fats in addition to cocoa butter".
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The new labeling regulation for genetically modified food is currently being implemented by industry and trade. It enables the consumer to decide independently for or against labeled products. In the midst of this process - and without trusting the consumer's choice - Greenpeace is putting pressure on retailers as a platform for food offers. This is intended to force the declaration to no longer offer genetically modified food. "If individual companies make a statement under these circumstances, we respect this," said Ricardo Gent, Managing Director of the German Biotechnology Industry Association (DIB). It is regrettable that the spirit of the new labeling regulation is being undermined by the pressure that has built up and that the consumer's freedom of choice on the shelf is being restricted for the time being. However, against the background of the international raw materials markets, the topic will only be postponed for a short time, according to Gent.
The new labeling regulation for genetically modified food informs consumers to a greater extent than before whether food or ingredients contain genetically modified organisms (GMO) or were produced from them. With this additional information, the consumer can make his choice from the wide range of food shops. The new labeling regulations, which will come into force in April 2004, have been repeatedly called for, particularly by consumer protection organizations and retailers.
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The current edition of the 2002 operating cost comparison for the butcher trade published by the German Butchers' Association is available hot off the press. The nationwide data collection is based on the profit and loss accounts and balance sheets of more than 200 companies. After the currency conversion, the data are shown in euros for the first time. In addition, the sales size classes have been updated and harmonized with other data sources. As a result, further statements on the company structures are now possible.
The analysis carried out by the DFV information center for market observation, statistics and business administration while maintaining strict anonymity provides the individual company with meaningful data for individual location determination. The identification of average values for a total of five sales classes as well as a separate business evaluation for branch operations allow a clear assignment and direct comparison with similar companies. By comparing the cost structures and the yields, deviations can be uncovered which point to possible weaknesses and potential for rationalization.
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With the State Hunting Report 2002, Lower Saxony's Minister of Agriculture, Hans-Heinrich Ehlen, and the President of the State Hunters' Association of Lower Saxony, Wilhelm Holsten, are presenting a brochure for the first time that reports in detail on hunting and the diverse tasks of the hunters in the past hunting year. Modern hunting is carried out according to the principle of sustainability, which has also formed the basis of German forestry for around 200 years. The wild stocks must therefore always be secured in the long term. The report presented is intended to create transparency about game and hunting in Lower Saxony and give an insight into the work of the hunters in the past hunting year. Key issues such as improving the habitats of partridge and snipe and the resettlement of the lynx in the Harz Mountains are dealt with, but also hunting-related problems such as classical swine fever in wild boar populations or the seal death in the North Sea in 2002, in which the hunters had to deal with the salvage of sick and dead animals Seals have provided significant voluntary assistance.
Worth knowing about the value of hunting, about hunting dogs, addresses of institutions and hunting organizations as well as numerous statistics, also on individual game species, complete the first state hunting report.
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Increasingly in demand as an ingredient in ready meals
A small but expanding vegetable processing market is the production of dried vegetables. On the one hand, it is offered to consumers to refine dishes in the home kitchen and, on the other hand, it is produced for industrial use in ready-made soups, ready-made meals and sauces. In 2002, local production increased by 20 percent to almost 12.800 tons (excluding dried onions), according to the Federal Association of the Fruit, Vegetable and Potato Processing Industry (BOGK). The growth is attributed to the growing popularity of convenience products in shrinking households.
A multiple of the local production is delivered via importers from abroad to the processing industry or to the end consumer in Germany. In 2002, this was almost 49.000 tons of dried vegetables, of which the lion's share, at over 20.000 tons, was dried onions. The German production of dried onions, on the other hand, is only slightly more than 1.000 tons. Imports were thus 5,2 percent above the previous year's result. However, the not inconsiderable re-export must also be taken into account, since German exports in 2002 totaled 16.130 tons.
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Just in time for the new year, the Central Marketing Society of the German Agricultural Industry (CMA) and the German Butchers Association (DFV) are in the starting blocks with an attractive promotion. The nationwide sales promotion measures in all butcher shops will begin on February 6, 2004 under the motto "Ruck Zuck Weeks with Pork".
