Vegetarians in Paradise/Child Nutrition/5 a Day/Healthy Eating

March 1, 2002 -- Vegparadise News Bureau

5 a Day -- Power Play! Hits L.A.

Children who have never tasted a kiwi or experienced kohlrabi will be encouraged to add all types of fruits and vegetables to their diet in addition to engaging in more physical activity as part of a 5 a Day--Power Play! Campaign during March which has been designated National Nutrition Month.

Over 150 elementary schools in 9 school districts within the Los Angeles area have prepared pupils with a 5 a Day curriculum aimed at 9, 10, and 11 year olds. The curriculum stresses the importance of eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, as part of a diet low in fat and high in fiber, and increasing physical activity to 30 to 60 minutes every day.

The program, called a 5 a Thon: The Nutrition and Fitness Challenge, involves approximately 6,000 children and will incorporate both physical and academic activities to encourage the young people to make healthy eating choices. For children receiving free or reduced meals at their schools, the campaign will provide free resources to their community youth organizations.

Some of the children will participate in market tours while others will be involved in hands-on activities like preparing fruit salads, green salads, fruit kabobs, and smoothies. Others will have an opportunity to visit a local restaurant.

The 5 a Day--Power Play! Campaign is a program of the California Department of Health Services, administered by the Public Health Institute, and funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. The University of California Cooperative Extension is the lead agency in the Los Angeles region.

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