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Confectionery Industry Urges Parents to Be More Involved in Children's Health This Halloween

New Brochure Underscores Importance of Eating in Moderation and Exercising Year-Round

Vienna, VA – For children, filling up bags and bags of free candy on Halloween can be a dream come true, but for parents this can be a time filled with concerns about how much is too much and how to strike a balance between healthy eating and physical activity. Since Halloween candy can last after the holiday in the pantry or in the kitchen and be a constant draw for kids, how can parents keep their children healthy, yet not take the fun out of the holiday?

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) is providing parents with information to help manage their children's diet and nutrition during Halloween and throughout the rest of the year by introducing A Guide to Children's Diet and Nutrition – For Parents. The brochure, which received favorable review from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Foundation's Health Education Program for Patients, provides physician-approved tips and advice about children's diet, nutrition and physical activity needs.

“We know that parents are the greatest influence on a child's diet and exercise habits,” said Dr. Susan Finn, RD, and chair of the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition. “No one food is to blame – eating extra calories and decreasing physical activity puts children's health at risk. Parents and doctors are in a position to change the course of life for these children.”

Halloween is a great annual reminder for parents to evaluate their children's diet, nutrition and lifestyle, and the bags of sweet treats can prompt a family-wide discussion. The following are ten physician-approved tips for parents from the brochure A Guide to Children's Diet and Nutrition – For Parents:

  • Discuss the importance of healthy diet and lifestyle choices with your child. Remember to talk about health, not about weight.
  • Create a healthy eating plan; do not put your child on a diet. Many diets that are popular with adults have never been tested on children, and a healthy, balanced diet is the goal for children.
  • Allow sweets or treats, such as candy and other snacks, in moderation rather than eliminate them. Children who learn the importance of balanced eating will be better-equipped to manage their own diet as adults.
  • Give your child plenty of healthy alternatives. Focusing only on what he or she cannot eat does not teach your child to make healthy choices.
  • Do not use food as leverage in a relationship. Do not hold back food as a punishment, and do not offer food as a reward.
  • Encourage your child to make better food choices. Communicating your interest in his or her health is more effective than focusing on shortcomings.
  • Have your child sit down, eat a full meal, and then move on to a fun activity. Do not let your child eat in his or her bedroom or in front of the television, constantly leaving and returning to the table.
  • Practice what you preach. If you eat right, it will be easier to get your child to eat right as well.
  • Be a role model. Be active yourself.
  • Promote better nutrition by having regular meal and snack times. Restrict all-day snacking.

Following its favorable review of A Guide to Children's Diet and Nutrition – For Parents, the AAFP displayed and distributed the brochure earlier this month at its Scientific Assembly, which included more than 6,500 family physicians, 3,000 international practitioners and 20,000 allied health professionals. Through AAFP's Health Education Program for Patients, family physicians across the country now have access to the brochure for distribution to patients. In addition, interested parents and caregivers can download the brochure from the NCA Web site, www.candyusa.org.

“Halloween is a very important season for our industry and a holiday traditionally associated with lots of candy and treats, but we cannot emphasize enough the importance of moderation and portion control when it comes to candy consumption,” said Larry Graham, president, National Confectioners Association. “Our new brochure, available to the general public via the NCA Web site and to more than 93,000 family physicians nationwide through the AAFP Foundation's Health Education Program for Patients, provides helpful tips and information to parents on balancing their children's diet and physical activity needs.”

Dr. Susan Finn and spokespersons from NCA are available for comment on the brochure or other Halloween candy trends and topics.  Please contact Liz Bradley at 202-828-8802 or bradleyl@fleishman.com for more information.

Download A Guide to Children's Diet and Nutrition – For Parents