Nourishing Needham Restaurants Week To Help People Eat Healthy

NEEDHAM, MA — For one week, eating out in town will be a little bit healthier. From Sept. 21 to 29, many local restaurants, along with Needham Public Schools and Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, will highlight healthy menu items as part of the "Nourishing Needham" healthy eating week.

The Needham Public Health Division created the week after being inspired from other programs across the country, including one in Somerville, called "Shape Up Somerville." The department said the week is meant to help give people an idea of what's healthy when they eat out because Americans spend more than half their food expenses at restaurants.

Often times, the foods people eat when going out are processed, high in calories and have increased the prevalence of obesity, the health division said. In Norfolk County, health officials said obesity and diabetes are on the rise as are the number of fast food and full-service restaurants.

"Between 2004 and 2016, the prevalence of obesity in the county increased by 5.2 percent, while the prevalence of diabetes rose by 1.7 percent," the health division said. "Furthermore, between 2009 and 2014, the quantity of fast-food restaurants increased by 19.85 percent and the quantity of full-service restaurants increased by 6.75 percent ... Studies show that dining out frequently leads to an increased intake of calories, fat and sodium. And, there is evidence that a relationship exists between restaurant dining frequency and body weight and body fat in adults and children."

So far, eleven restaurants in Needham announced they are participating. Check out the full list at Nourishing Needham's website.