Obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States and around the world. All populations are at risk for becoming obese regardless of Age, Gender, or Race. Obesity can lead to many life-threatening diseases such as Cardiovascular (Heart) disease, Diabetes, and even some Cancers. Type 2 diabetes, which was once common among adults, is now growing rampant in children.
The good news is that obesity can be prevented! Good nutrition and exercising everyday reduces your risk of becoming overweight or obese. A healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables everyday will help decrease your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, most cancers, and other diseases.
To help people make healthier food choices, a growing number of restaurants offer nutritious food that are low in fat and are high in ingredients that provide your body with essential vitamins and minerals.
What can restaurants do to promote the 5 a Day message?
Restaurants can substitute sides such as French fries with some healthy items such as baby carrots, or a fresh garden salad loaded with crispy vegetables. Items on a dessert menu may include a fresh fruit salad with a dollop of light Cool Whip or fresh fruit cobblers. Offering a variety of healthy options for your restaurant patrons will be sure to help your business and customers feel more energized.
In the past 5 a Day-Power Play! Gold Country Region has distributed table tents, and designed Children's Interactive Table Mats that promote 5 a Day-Power Play!
Table mats are a great way to promote 5 a Day, because they allow children to learn hands-on about good nutrition and exercise. The table mats are full of nutrition education, fun games and riddles, and cool facts about fruits and vegetables.
If you would like more information about 5 a Day-Power Play! and see how you can help address the obesity epidemic please contact:
Mellisa Meng or Sarbdip Thandi
Health Education Council, Power Play! program
3950 Industrial Blvd, Ste. 600
West Sacramento, CA 95691
(916) 556-3344
mmeng@healthedcouncil.org
CONTACT
- Email: Mellisa Meng
- Phone: 916.556.3344
FORMS (pdf format)
- School Idea & Resource Kit Request form
- School Power Partner form
- 4th grade Classroom Report
- 5th grade Classroom Report
- CYO Kit Request
- CYO Power Partner form
- Nutrition Decathlon Equipment Request form
- 5 a Day PP Materials List & Request form)
- Tracking form
LINKS
- Dairy Council of California
- Dole 5 A Day
- Kids Health
- Department of Health Services
- USDA Food and Nutrition Information Center
- California Farm to School Program
NEWSLETTERS
- Parents
- Spring 2005
- Winter 2005
- Teachers
- Spring 2005
- Winter 2005