It’s the perennial conundrum of many personal weight-loss and diet goals writ large: Kids are eating better and engaging in more physical activity, but pound-for-pound, they aren’t quite achieving the desired results.

As the workplace changes, the economy continues to struggle and employees remain paralyzed by the fear of uncertainty, leaders are trying hard to make a positive impact in people’s lives. People are challenged to remain motivated. They are looking for inspiration that speaks to their needs. Employees want to believe again in their leaders but are continually faced with the greed and distrust that surrounds them. The need for real solutions and strong leadership is at an all-time high. People are tired of false promises and unprepared for unexpected outcomes. They want certainty during a time in history when the world is angry, bitter and disillusioned by artificial relationships, the sensationalism of society and the constant reminders that things aren’t getting much better. In a word, they want hope.

The following is a guest post by Jennifer Stinson, freelancer for Everyday Health.com and its recipe and calorie counter tools.

Racial and ethnic diversity has grown in the United States over the last few decades. Looking at diversity among children is the best place to predict what the country will look like in the future. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2012, 53 percent of the U.S. children were white, non-Hispanic; 24 percent were Hispanic; 14 percent were black, non-Hispanic; 5 percent were Asian, non-Hispanic; and 5 percent were non-Hispanic “All other races.” It is predicted that the population will become even more diverse as the country ages.

Sonia Gallegos’ earliest memory of food is of her grandmother selling groceries out of a small chest in Mexico. Gallegos’ mother also made a career in the food industry when she arrived in the United States. Inspired by her mother and grandmother, who spent their lives around food and a kitchen, Gallegos began working in a restaurant, and now possesses over 30 years of experience in the industry.

I have been involved in the research field that arose some 25 years ago as a result of Professor David Barker’s discovery that established the connection between a person’s birth weight and their risk of dying of heart disease.

His study found that the lower a baby’s birth weight, the more likely they were to die of heart disease as an adult.