Janet Jackson is no longer a slave to the scale.

The 46 year-old singer, who's showing off a more slender figure since becoming the spokesperson for Nutrisystem, said that she doesn't weigh herself anymore.

" I don't think [stepping on the scale] is healthy," she told People. "You're setting yourself up to fail and women's bodies fluctuate every month - certain time of the month in particular - we bloat a great deal," she says.

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Wisdom comes with age, and at 84 years old, Maya Angelou has lots of wisdom. But she says she picked up her most valuable piece of wisdom early on. "I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me," she said. In that spirit, Angelou has taken up the cause of women's health.

"If I do that well enough, then I'll be able to look after someone else -- the children or the husband or the elderly. But I have to look after myself first," she says. "I know that some people think that's being selfish, I think that's being self-full."

That philosophy is at the center of her latest effort, a partnership with Novant Health, a not-for-profit integrated system of 13 hospitals that is set to unveil the Maya Angelou Center for Women's Health and Wellness in her hometown of Winston-Salem, N.C.

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The 17 members of the federal Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted unanimously that the benefits of the OraQuick HIV test outweigh its potential risks for consumers. While the test, which uses a mouth swab to return a result in 20 minutes, does not appear to be as accurate as professionally-administered diagnostics, panelists said it could provide an important way to expand HIV testing.

The FDA will make its final decision on whether to approve the product later this year, weighing the opinion of the panel.

Government officials estimate one-fifth, or about 240,000 people, of the 1.2 million HIV carriers in the U.S. are not aware they are infected. Testing is one of the chief means of slowing new infections, which have held steady at about 50,000 per year for two decades.

Based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Orasure has marketed a version of OraQuick to doctors, nurses and other health care practitioners since 2004. When used by professionals, the test is shown to accurately identify both carriers and non-carriers 99 percent of the time.

But a trial conducted by the company showed the home test only correctly detected HIV in those carrying the virus 93 percent of the time. The FDA estimated the test would miss about 3,800 HIV-positive people per year, while correctly identifying 45,000, if approved for U.S. consumers. The test could prevent 4,000 new transmissions of the virus annually, though the figure could vary depending on how many people purchase the test. While it's not clear why the test was less accurate in consumer trials, company researchers said they expected the test's sensitivity to drop when used by consumers versus professionals.

Panelists stressed that the test's labeling should state that a negative reading does not automatically mean the person does not have HIV, because of imperfect results. Panelists also stressed the importance of a toll-free number to put those who test positive in touch with counseling and medical care.

Despite concerns about less-than-perfect use by the public, the panel overwhelmingly sided with more than two dozen HIV advocates and doctors, who said the test represents a step forward in combating the virus.

"Over-the-counter testing has the potential to reach a far greater number of people who want to know their HIV status on their own terms," said Tom Donohue, founder of the HIV awareness group Who's Positive.

"We are always looking for game changers, and we believe this is one of them," said Carl Schmid, deputy director of the AIDS Institute. "Not only will it help reduce the number of infections but it will bring more people into care and treatment."

Tuesday's meeting was the second time in less than a week that FDA advisers recommended approval of a novel medical product to slow the spread of HIV. Last Thursday a similar panel of drug experts endorsed the HIV daily pill Truvada for preventive use. If the FDA follows the group's advice, the daily medication will become the first drug approved to prevent healthy people from becoming infected with the virus.

The FDA has already approved other HIV test kits designed to be used at home, although those kits -- which require a blood sample -- must be sent to a laboratory for development. Orasure executives argue that a test that can be done at home will appeal to a much broader group of people.

FDA officials said it is impossible to predict how widely the test would be used, but it would be most effective in the hands of people at high risk of acquiring the virus, including men who have sex with men.

A recent survey of gay and bisexual men cited by public health officials found that 84 percent would test themselves more frequently if they could buy an over-the-counter HIV test.

Orasure sells its professional version of the test for $17.50, though company executives declined to discuss how they would price the consumer version.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

Wilson, who also co-starred in such memorable films such as "House Party 2," "House Party 3," and "Friday," is not only battling cancer but has also been plagued with kidney problems. Since Wilson's kidneys are failing, she needs a kidney transplant as well.

Blacks have trouble clearing cervical cancer virus

Friend Jeffrey Pittle, a stage 4 cancer survivor himself, created a website for Wilson, so that folks can donate money that will not only help to cover her medical needs but also help with any transportation costs that are associated with her getting to various medical facilities.

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The first lady's workout playlist also includes Janelle Monáe, Sara Bareilles, Michael Jackson, Willow Smith, Chubb Rock, Ledisi and Jennifer Lopez.

In her article for Women's Health, the first lady promotes her Let's Move! anti-obesity initiative and touts her husband's health care reform bill. She wrote that the new legislation makes "discrimination against women [by charging more for female preventative check-ups] illegal starting in 2014."

Michelle Obama writes of the importance of taking control of your own health. "The truth is, being a healthy woman isn't about getting on a scale or measuring your waistline. Instead, we need to start focusing on what matters- - on how we feel, and how we feel about ourselves."

The first lady ends most of her morning workouts with cardio and weights and she adds yoga when she can. "No more excuses. I want to be as healthy at 75 as I am now," she wrote.

A list of 10 songs that keep Michell Obama motivated during a workout:

1. Stevie Wonder - "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)"
2. Beyonce - "Move Your Body" (Let's Move! Theme)
3. Janelle Monae - "Tightrope"
4. Sara Bareilles - "Love Song"
5. Michael Jackson - "Unbreakable"
6. Willow Smith - "Whip My Hair"
7. Beyoncé - "I Was Here"
8. Chubb Rock - "Treat 'Em Right"
9. Ledisi - "Thank You"
10. Jennifer Lopez - "Get Right"

She's now a multiple amputee. She says hospitalizations after unlicensed cosmetic procedures led to life-threatening infections.

Professionals removed her limbs last year to save her life.

WATCH NBC COVERAGE OF BROWN'S STORY:

"I got the butt implants five years ago," said Brown. "For five years, I lived in pain. Excruciating pain."

April Brown won't identify the unlicensed practitioner who injected her with silicone. She will only say it was somewhere near Western and Manchester. Brown tells us, her own lack of self-esteem issues are mostly to blame.

"They call it butt injections," she says. "These things are done at pumping parties. They call it medical grade silicone but a lot of it is industrial grade silicone."

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"Like so many others," she said, "I was awed and inspired by those athletes."

Mrs. Obama admitted that she was still in awe Monday, when she took the stage with about two dozen Olympic and Paralympic athletes to announce a plan to get more than 1.7 million children involved in sports through her "Let's Move!" initiative to combat childhood obesity.

The first lady is partnering with the U.S. Olympic Committee, the Partnership for a Healthier America, U.S. Paralympics and numerous national governing bodies that have pledged their time and resources toward introducing young people to their sports over the course of the summer.

"When we first met with these organizations, we challenged them to commit to helping 1 million kids get active in their communities. That was our first target, and we thought that was ambitious," said Mrs. Obama, who will also be leading the U.S. delegation to the London Games.

"They not only met that goal," she said, "they added another 700,000 to that commitment."

USA Cycling is offering free memberships and clinics nationwide, while USA Field Hockey is launching the "FUNdamental Field Hockey" program at 250 locations reaching 15,000 kids.

USA Gymnastics plans to reach 40,000 additional children, the U.S. Soccer Federation will engage 12,000 youth in afterschool programs, and USA Track & Field is expanding its youth program by 35 percent, and the U.S. Tennis Association plans to reach 750,000 new kids this year. USA Swimming hopes to enroll 530,000 new learn-to-swim participants in its "Make a Splash" program, and engage 70,000 new youth member through local chapters.

"The 'Let's Move!' campaign is amazing, and it's something I believe in," said three-time Olympic gold medalist Natalie Coughlin, who introduced the first lady on Monday.

"I've been volunteering with The Edible Schoolyard Project to teach children healthy lifestyles through food, and knowing where food comes from, and 'Let's Move!' is the other side of that," Coughlin said. "It's getting out there and being active and not being sedentary."

The U.S. Olympians Association recently began a "Walk to London" program during which 5,456 children will walk a total of 5,456 miles -- the distance from Los Angeles to London. Meanwhile, U.S. Paralympics is engaging a combined 87,500 young people through a variety of programs.

USA Volleyball and USA Basketball are also involved in the initiative.

"Many of these kids will be playing sports for the very first time, and that is so important, because sometimes -- as all of you know -- all it takes is that first lesson, or that first class, to get a child interested in a new sport," Mrs. Obama said.

She began the "Let's Move!" initiative in February 2010 as a way to promote a healthy and active lifestyle in the United States, where nearly one in three children is overweight or obese. The first lady recently hosted a mini-Olympics event for local school children along with Samantha Cameron, the wife of British Prime Minister David Cameron. She has also appeared on the hit TV show "The Biggest Loser" and with celebrities such as Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon.

"The national governing bodies have all signed an agreement to outline what they'll do," said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. "We're very proud to support the first lady."

Mrs. Obama has been actively involved in the Olympic movement for years, joining President Obama in Denmark during the final presentation for Chicago's failed bid for the 2016 Olympics.

In March, it was announced that the first lady would lead the U.S. delegation at the London Games, with the opening ceremony scheduled for July 27. She'll be following in the footsteps of Hillary Clinton, who led the delegation at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, and Laura Bush, who led the way at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

"I am beyond proud to be leading the U.S. delegation," Mrs. Obama said. "When I'm sitting in that stadium in London, cheering on Team USA, I'll be thinking about all those young people cheering at home. I'll be thinking about the power of the games to truly inspire a generation, and I'll be thinking about how our Olympic and Paralympic athletes can serve as role models for our young people, as examples of the values we want our kids to learn."

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

1. Review your family history
Do you have a history of diabetes in your family? Who in your family has had cancer? Have any of the women in your family had to deal with fibroids? These are all things you should know and be able to discuss with your doctor. The more you know, the more your doctor will be able to help you.

2. Find out if you are due for any general screenings or vaccinations
If you aren't sure where to begin, try this chart that lists screenings and immunizations that women should have based on age.

3. Write down list of issues and questions to take with you
It's easy to draw a blank once the MD enters the white room. The best thing to do is get all of your questions together beforehand. Grab a pen and pad or your trusty smartphone and jot down everything you want to know and what you'd like to get out of your appointment.

4. Think about the long-term
Are you thinking about starting weight loss plan? Are you in family planning mode? Be ready to discuss your goals and future with the doc.

Checkout the official site for National Women's Health Week for more tools and resources.

Do you visit the doctor's office regularly or only when you're feeling sick?

Click here to read more stories from Clutch magazine.

Previous studies have shown that blacks are more likely to go into cardiac arrest than whites. Yet, in this study of nearly 4,000 Philadelphians, and other studies in the past, blacks still receive CPR and shocks less often.

Even among whites, only one-third received bystander CPR in the data released today. But, blacks, on the other hand, received CPR or shocks 28.7 percent of the time.

As far back as 1994, a study out of Memphis reported an even lower bystander CPR rate among blacks -- less than 10 percent -- compared to 20 percent among whites.

The reasons why this continues to happen is currently unknown.

"Understanding why the disparity exists will be the next step," says Dr. Roger Band, assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and a researcher on this project. "Then we have the ability to impact change."

According to the American Heart Association, 70 percent of Americans feel helpless during cardiac emergencies due to insecurities about their CPR skills.

However, Band says anything is better than nothing.

"Doing these things can only help," he says. "These are patients who won't survive if nothing is done for them. You can help by at least trying."

Both CPR and defibrillation have consistently been shown to improve survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrests whether from a bystander or a trained professional, such as a paramedic. Bystander shocks can be administered using the automated external defibrillator machines -- or AEDs -- found in public places such as shopping malls and airports. The machines are simple to operate.

Band says even paramedics forget the importance of these basics.

"They focus on giving medications and other non-evidenced based things," Band says. "Good quality CPR and early defibrillation are the basic tenets of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest care."

Follow Dr. Ty on Twitter at @doctorty

"Birds of a feather flock together," says Harris, age 44.

They all seem to have met one another at various times in their lives, but all of them met in the same place. "We all met at the gym," adds Harris.

Harris, along with Edy Jackson, 45, Shelly Moore, 45, and Chinny Nwagbo, 29, have all trained together for their different sports disciplines for years. As they developed in their training, so did their friendships.

Each woman shares a competitive edge, but they participate in different sports. Outside of fitness contests, Harris and Jackson compete in bodybuilding competitions. Moore runs in marathons. Nwagbo plays professional basketball in Spain and has done fitness modeling.

Amazingly, the women in the group (except Nwagbo, who is not a mom) all balance being a mother, their professional lives and competing in fitness-related feats. These ladies are focused on their fitness interests as much as their career and motherhood goals.

"Women in their '40s don't play many games. We know who we are and what we want out of life," adds Harris. But it is not just intense workouts at the gym that keep them connected. These best buds also meet up outside the gym as well to nurture their relationships.

"We all hang out and go on trips together. We have an annual trip to Aruba. We are all a part of each others' lives and we have a lot of fun together," add Harris.

Harris, who is currently training for a competition in August, has another reason why she stays in such great shape -- her 6-year-old daughter Aja.

"I am trying to impart a healthy lifestyle to my daughter. She doesn't eat many sweets, and she sees her mommy go to the gym every day. Mommy eats clean. When she gets older she can decide what she eats, but she won't grab that sweet or eats those snacks first," says Harris.

While Nwagbo is the only one in the group who has no children, she has watched how the other ladies are with their kids. It has helped her develop her mothering vibe, which she puts to good use in her extended family.

Access to preventative services with no cost sharing will aid those who delay preventive care visits due to the financial burden. Increased access to preventative health services will significantly help reduce the onset of particular illnesses like diabetes, obesity, heart disease and even breast cancer, all of which impact African-American women at a disproportionately higher rate than any other racial category.

Breast cancer alone claims the lives of up to five black women each day. PPACA will also improve health related data collection of African-American women, helping health care providers better understand and address health concerns that are prevalent amongst black women.

The relatively unknown practice of "gender rating," which allowed insurance companies to legally charge higher premiums to women, will also be eliminated. As of 2014, gender rating will become illegal under the PPACA. New mandates in the health care law will also promote more cultural and health literacy competency. It will be compulsory for insurance providers to improve access to health care information for people with low literacy levels.

In addition, community health clinics themselves will see an increase in overall funding, with an unprecedented $11 billion dollars allocated to community health centers from fiscal year 2011 through 2015.

Follow Caryn Freeman on Twitter at @CarynFreemanDC

Doctors, patients and advocates say that would change if the Food and Drug Administration takes a landmark step and allows the pill, Truvada, to be marketed for prevention. The drug has been used for some time as a treatment for those already infected with the AIDS virus.

"This is a pretty radical step, but I think it's a necessary step," said Dr. Lisa Sterman of San Francisco, who prescribes the drug for already infected patients and those who are healthy but at risk of getting the virus from their partners or through risky sex.

"We've come as far as we can with condom use and safe sex strategies," Sterman said.

A panel of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration late Thursday endorsed using Truvada as a preventive.

In the 30-year battle against AIDS, "it's the first time we have talked about a medication for prevention of HIV," Sterman said.

Doctors are allowed to prescribe Truvada "off-label" for prevention, but FDA approval would formally allow the pill's maker Gilead Sciences to market it for that use. It would probably lead many more insurance companies to pay for the costly drug. The FDA usually follows advisers' recommendations and a decision is expected by June 15.

The panel's action "is a huge step forward," said Nick Literski, a federal worker in Seattle who has been taking Truvada for HIV prevention for more than a year. His partner has the AIDS virus. Literski's insurance covers his preventive treatment. The pill's annual cost ranges from just under $11,000 up to $14,000.

Using the drug for prevention "is really allowing people to make educated choices about their health," Literski said.

An estimated 1.2 million Americans have HIV and many more worldwide. AIDS can develop unless the virus is treated with antiviral drugs. The success of such medicines has helped make the disease more manageable and allows patients to live much longer than when the epidemic began 30 years ago.

About 50,000 new HIV infections are diagnosed in the U.S. each year -- a number that has held steady for about 15 years.

"We're going to have to take some radical steps in order to stop this epidemic," Sterman said.

Truvada is marketed by Gilead Sciences Inc. of Foster City, Calif. Studies have shown daily use is highly effective at preventing HIV infections.

Some Truvada prevention studies took place in Africa, and the drug is available as an HIV treatment there and in poor nations elsewhere, but Gilead is seeking approval for using it for prevention in the United States only, a company spokeswoman said.

A September editorial in the medical journal Lancet raised concerns about using HIV treatments for prevention when many HIV infected people globally lack access to effective treatments.

James Loduca, a spokesman for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, praised the advisory panel's action.

"With this recommendation, we're nearing a watershed moment in our fight against HIV," Loduca said. "We know this isn't a magic bullet, and it's not going to be the right prevention strategy for everyone, but it could save thousands of lives in the United States and potentially millions around the world."

Not everyone in the HIV community is so gung-ho about using Truvada for prevention.

Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, is among the most vocal opponents. His Los Angeles-based group bills itself as the nation's largest provider of medical care for HIV and AIDS, and Weinstein's main concern is that patients won't take the drug as directed -- a pill a day plus the use of condoms. Misuse could create drug-resistant HIV strains, and lead to more infections.

The FDA panelists acknowledged that concern, and said people should be tested to make sure they don't have HIV before starting Truvada. Patients who already have the virus and begin taking Truvada could develop a resistance to the drug, making their disease even more difficult to treat.

Justin Terry-Smith, a Washington-area writer with HIV, has different concerns. He took Truvada for four years to suppress his infection. He said he has friends with the AIDS virus in other cities who can't find the drug, and he worries that making it widely available for prevention could result in shortages and pose problems for patients who need it for treatment.

"There has to much more production of this drug for this to actually go forward," he said.

His doctor recently put him on another drug regimen -- switching medicines is a common tactic in HIV treatment. But unlike his other HIV medicines, Truvada had no side effects, and he said it needs to remain available for already infected patients.

Sterman said approval of Truvada for prevention would be unlikely to lead to shortages because the drug would be recommended only for people at high risk for getting the virus.

"I don't think demand for it is going to be that high," she said.

Truvada's costs are another concern. But supporters of the drug note that the lifetime cost of treating one person diagnosed with the AIDS virus has been estimated at more than $600,000.

"It's much more cost-effective to prevent a new infection than it is to treat someone for their lifetime," Loduca said. "Of course the ultimate goal is a vaccine and a cure but we're many years away from that."

Jim Pickett, director of prevention advocacy and gay men's health at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, has had the AIDS virus since 1995. He says his medical costs, including medicine and doctor visits, have continually increased since then and now total about $20,000 a year, mostly covered by his health insurance.

He took Truvada for a while for HIV treatment and had no complications. Side effects from long-term use are unclear, but some of the more serious complications linked with Truvada include kidney and liver problems.

The potential for those problems shouldn't be dismissed, but it's not a reason to reject using the drug for prevention, said Pickett, whose group is not affiliated with the San Francisco foundation.

For some people, the risk of kidney problems "10 years down the line may be less than the risk for acquiring HIV, which is significantly more problematic and can be fatal," Pickett said.

"We need options for people. This is one option. It wouldn't be an option for everybody. It's not meant for everybody," Pickett said.

___

AP Health Writer Matthew Perrone contributed to this story from Washington.

AP Medical Writer Lindsey Tanner can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/LindseyTanner

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

Art Monk is the lead plaintiff, and he and 62 other former players are also going after Riddell -- the helmet company.

The players claim that the league did not institute policies to protect players from concussions. The suit says players who suffered head injuries were told by the NFL and its agents not to be overly concerned and were returned to game action minutes after the injuries.

Click here to read the full story.

An occasional hearty meal is OK, but when you focus first on the experience, and the company, of course, food moves into its rightful secondary place. We need to make this switch so we are eating because we're hungry, not just because.

It's that kind of thinking that has led to Black women holding the national records for highest rates of obesity and other attendant ailments like diabetes. And the more health complications we face, the less we are able to enjoy life fully.

Mother's Day doesn't have to be synonymous with a seam-stretching meal. Here are some healthy -- and even free -- ways to indulge yourself while making the experience, not the calories, count.

1. Give Yourself Permission to Do You. This might ruffle some feathers -- who do you think you are, when folks have made plans for you? But think of all that you do for everybody else ... all the time. And then declare Mother's Day as your day to do yourself good. Invite folks to come along if they'd like, and make time to spend with Mom or aunties or surrogate Moms, but claim your own piece of Mother's Day and guard it closely.

2. Get Your Giggles On. While research isn't definitive on laughter's direct effects on health, some studies have shown that humor leads to benefits like greater immune response to stress and lower blood sugar levels. We're no scientists, but we all know from experience that laughter can help boost our spirits. So visit a comedy club or catch a funny flick. And if you're in the minority of folks who haven't seen it yet, check out Steve Harvey's hilarious Think Like a Man.

3. Get Some Hands-On Healing. Massage, once considered just an alternative or complementary therapy, is now offered with standard treatment for some medical conditions. The soothing act of massage -- rubbing, pressing and manipulating your skin, muscles, ligaments and tendons -- has been shown to aid with, among other things, pain and stiffness, anxiety and depression management, stress relief, blood pressure control, boosting immunity and even cancer treatment. You can find massage therapy not just in spas, but in hospitals, clinics, and even airports.

4. Get Inspired. Visit a museum or gallery, catch a jazz brunch or attend a dance performance. If you're further inspired, sign up for an art class or writing workshop, or learn to play the piano. Researchers have shown connections between the creative arts and health and healing. Whether you're an observer or a participant, exposure to the arts can boost your mood, which influences your physical well-being.

5. Get a Green Mani-Pedi. Not green, the color, bu green, the impact on you and the environment. There's a reason that nail technicians wear masks: they're inhaling nasty toxins all day. Check your local listings for salons that offer eco-friendly manicures, using products free of synthetic dyes and preservatives and harsh chemicals. And check out the vegan-friendly brand Ginger + Liz, started in 2009 by two black women, featuring fun shades and funky names like "Put a Ring On It" and "Swagger."

6. Get Lifted. Fill your morning with meditation. If you can't remember the last time you've seen the inside of a house of worship, visit one. If you're a regular at Sunday service, perhaps mix it up and visit the church of a friend. Tune in on satellite radio or log in to an online service and let the word and the music move you. Nourish yourself with the primary food of spiritual practice. Studies show that people who have a regular spiritual practice stay healthier and live longer.

7. Get Moving. Turn up your mp3 player and dance like nobody's watching, or dust off your bike or skates or lace up your sneakers and move your body. We all know that exercise helps you achieve and maintain a healthy weight. But, new studies show that exercise also helps you think. Also, sun exposure helps your body produce Vitamin D, the nutrient that, among other benefits, has been shown to reduce heart disease risk among African-Americans. Many of us are Vitamin D-deficient because our skin's darker melanin prevents our cells from producing the nutrient from the sun's ultraviolet rays. So Mom, go outside and play.

Robin D. Stone, a New York-based journalist and author who writes often about health and healing, recently started HealthJones, a health and nutrition coaching practice. For Mother's Day, weather permitting, she'll be playing a round of golf.

The cartoon character Popeye boasted he was "strong to the finish" because he ate spinach. Though all moms want their children to eat nutritious foods, single moms are sometimes at a disadvantage to serve their family healthy foods due to tight budgets and high food costs.

Tambra Raye Stevenson, MS, CPT, a nutrition educator at the University of the District of Columbia, says there are practical solutions that single moms can use to dish up healthy fare.

"Farmers markets are starting up for the season and offer a great opportunity to take the whole family to learn and taste," says Stevenson, who also operates dcfoodjustice.wordpress.com, a food and nutrition blog. "Go in the evening, because typically the vendors are small businesses and you negotiate prices at the end of the day."

Buying food in season can also help stretch dollars, she says. And, farmers markets have an added bonus -- an educational component.

"There is typically a nutrition educator there giving classes and cooking demonstrations," says Stevenson.

Food costs are not a factor for single mom Tosha Robinson. Robinson, a medical billing and coding clerk in Poughkeepsie, New York, says her sixteen-year-old daughter's taste buds are more of the problem.

"My biggest challenge to providing healthy foods and a healthy lifestyle for Ashley is not income [or access]," Robinson says. "It is getting her to follow a healthy regimen on a daily basis."

She continues: "The biggest challenge is getting her to understand that what she puts in her system is what she is going to get out of it. She believes that she can eat anything because she is a kid and she will be okay but I am teaching her that bad habits are hard to break."

Teaching children healthy habits is especially important now since more than one-third of children in the United States are overweight or obese, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

That sobering statistic is what prompted the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to announce new dietary guidelines in 2010 that promote healthy food choices and exercise. It is also one of the chief motivations behind first lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Initiative, which aims to lower soaring childhood obesity rates with physical activity and healthy foods.

Childhood obesity rates in America have tripled over the last 30 years, but the numbers hit harder in African-American and Latino communities, where almost 40 percent of children are overweight or obese. That is why Robinson is conscious to set an example for her teen by using healthy ingredients that put a fresh spin on traditional meals.

"For an example, I use fat-free cheese instead of whole cheese when I make quesadillas, and boneless, skinless chicken breast that is baked instead of fried," Robinson says.

Catherine Fink, RD and CDN, a nutritionist in New Paltz, New York, says that moms do not always have the resolve to serve their children nutritious meals or snacks.

"One challenge for moms is peer pressure. Kids are looking at what other kids are eating. The kids are saying, 'Hey, so-and-so goes to McDonald's, or they eat this for lunch,' and that makes moms feel pressure," Fink says, who is co-owner of Peak Nutrition, which offers personalized nutrition counseling.

"So you can get something at McDonald's for a buck or a happy meal and for a single mom who is trying to carry the load of providing healthy food to their children, they may think that [the children] like this food and it's cheap, but that food changes the child's palate to fried, sugar, and salt," Fink explains.

For those who are still inhibited by the costs of healthy foods, Fink offers a few tips.

"Look at unit pricing. Fruit and vegetables have a lower unit price than potato chips; and buy in bulk," Fink advises.

Stevenson, who is also a single mom, puts her professional advice in practice when she prepares nutritious foods and snacks for her two children. She warns against giving in to the temptation of quick, cheap food.

"What you perceive to be cheap or affordable now will have a cost later in terms of health issues," Stevenson says.

Visit the USDA's www.choosemyplate.gov for tips to eat healthy on a budget.