For Immediate Release:
September 15, 2005

Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

Parents are key to helping kids choose more fruits and vegetables
A healthy diet can help curb Missouri's increasing obesity problem

Parents, eat your fruits and vegetables and participate in regular physical activity and your kids will, too. That's the message from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services during September, National 5 A Day Month.

Eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables and being physically active every day is key to enjoying good health and maintaining a healthy weight.

That message is more important than ever as obesity continues to increase in Missouri. A recent report from the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that obesity has risen in every state but one.

“Children learn by doing what their parents do, even when it comes to eating fruits and vegetables and being active,” said Donna Mehrle, coordinator of the department's 5 A Day Program. “As we work to educate children about making healthy food choices and being physically active, parents can lead the way by making good choices themselves.”

The theme for this year's National 5 A Day Month is “Energize and Mobilize – Eat Fruits, Vegetables, and Be Active.”

Eating more fruits and vegetables and being physically active are important steps in fighting the country's obesity problem, Mehrle said. A number of diseases and conditions – such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and certain types of cancer – have been linked to a poor diet, as well as a lack of physical activity.

Nearly 25 percent of Missouri adults were obese in 2004, compared to 23.2 percent in 2002, according to the CDC. This statistic has led Governor Matt Blunt to lead the Healthy Missourians Initiative, a plan to address the state's obesity epidemic and to encourage healthier lifestyles by Missourians of all ages. The Healthy Missourians Initiative recognizes that preventing childhood obesity is key to addressing the obesity epidemic.

In 2003, just over 20 percent of Missouri adults ate fruits and vegetables five or more times a day. That same year, only 45 percent of Missouri adults got the recommended levels of moderate physical activity.

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To encourage children to make healthy choices, parents should set a good example by making sure fruits and vegetables are an important part of their own diet and by regularly participating in physical activity, the state health department recommends.

“When we help our children establish healthy habits early in life, we improve their chances of living longer and healthier lives,” said Mehrle. “It's one of the most important things parents can do for their kids.”

Nutrition experts recommend a variety of fruits and vegetables from all the color groups – green, yellow/orange, red, blue/purple and white.

Parents can help their children incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their diets by:

• Making fruits and vegetables readily available to family members.
  • Make sure the kitchen is stocked with plenty of fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears, plums, celery and broccoli.
  • Store fruits and vegetables in sandwich bags to grab on the go. This works best with easy to eat items such as cherry tomatoes, strawberries, grapes, sugar snap peas, baby carrots and bell pepper strips.
• Serving fruits and vegetables at every meal.
  • Include fruits and vegetables in all meals and snacks. Set out a plate of raw vegetables and fruit before dinner for family members to snack on while dinner is being prepared.
  • Keep frozen and canned fruits and vegetables on hand to add to recipes. Add frozen peas to a pasta dish or green beans to a soup.
  • Ask children to help prepare fruits and vegetables for meals and snacks. They can help wash the fruits and vegetables and add them to recipes or make salads.
• Helping family members understand the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables.
  • Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and disease-fighting phytochemicals.
  • Make healthy choices when eating out. Order salad instead of French fries or 100 percent fruit juice instead of soda.

Parents also should incorporate more physical activity into family time. Children should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Adults should participate in at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day – 60 minutes if they are trying to lose weight.

“Eating healthy and staying active go hand-in-hand,” Mehrle said. “Both are essential for better health.”

National 5 A Day Month is a good time for the whole family to learn more about the importance of eating fruits and vegetables and increasing physical activity. For more information, visit the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services web site at www.dhss.mo.gov/5aday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site at www.cdc.gov/5aday or the National Cancer Institute's 5 A Day web site at www.5aday.gov.