Make Halloween healthy for Georgia kids
Released on = January 24, 2005, 11:29 am
Press Release Author = Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR)
Industry = Healthcare
Press Release Summary = Oct. 27, 2004 -- This Halloween, give trick-or-treaters
snacks that are ‘good to eat’ and healthy too! The Georgia Department of Human
Resources (DHR), Division of Public Health, is encouraging Georgians to make
Halloween a healthy holiday for kids.
Press Release Body = ATLANTA (GA) -- This Halloween, give trick-or-treaters snacks
that are ‘good to eat’ and healthy too! The Georgia Department of Human Resources
(DHR), Division of Public Health, is encouraging Georgians to make Halloween a
healthy holiday for kids.
“Halloween can indeed be a tricky time as some kids overindulge on snacks loaded
with fat and calories,” said Carol Steiner, acting director for DHR Chronic Disease
Prevention and Health Promotion. “This holiday provides an ideal opportunity for
parents to promote moderation as part of a healthy diet and introduce snacking
alternatives to their children.”
The American Dietetic Association (ADA) offers the following suggestions for
non-traditional but nutritious Halloween goodies:
• Mini-rice cereal bites
• Packages of trail mix or nuts
• Cereal bars
• Small boxes of raisins
• Small packages of dried fruit
• Sugar-free gum
• Mini juice boxes
• Snack-size packages of peanut butter and crackers, graham crackers or oatmeal cookies
Non-food treats also can replace some spooky snacks. Instead of candy, consider
Halloween pencils, pens, stickers, tattoos or spider rings. If you decide to give
out candy, try mini-candy bars and treats with nuts for added nutritional value.
Parents also should set guidelines for their children on how much and when candy can
be consumed.
Limiting children’s consumption of candy and other sweets on Halloween, and
year-round, will significantly reduce the number of kids who are overweight or
obese. In Georgia, about 11 percent of school-age children are overweight,
according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Studies show that Georgia kids are not getting the recommended five to nine servings
of fruits and vegetables or three glasses of milk each day. More than 83 percent of
children statewide are not eating enough fruits or veggies while 87 percent do not
drink enough milk. In addition, nearly 13 percent of Georgia kids say they do not
participate in any vigorous or moderate physical activity.
The Georgia DHR is addressing the childhood obesity epidemic and sedentary youth
lifestyles by promoting physical activity, a well-balanced diet and routine physical
examinations as part of healthy living.
For more information on nutrition and childhood obesity, visit
http://health.state.ga.us.
###
Web Site = http://health.state.ga.us
Contact Details = For information, contact:
Richard Quarterone
DHR, Division of Public Health
404/463-4627
rquartarone@dhr.state.ga.us
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