Playing Fruit and Veggie Games

( 2 Votes )

Monday, 20 December 2010 19:21

Hockessin, Delaware, December 2010 — Although video games have been labeled as one of the causes of childhood obesity, a new study from the Baylor College of Medicine suggests that playing video games designed to encourage healthy eating habits may get children to eat more fruits and vegetables. www.FruitsandVeggiesMoreMatters.org The study looked at 133 children, from the ages of 10 to 12 years, who were all in the upper half of body mass index scores for their age group. One group played two games designed to promote healthy eating and then answered questions about their experience. The study found that kids who played the special games ate about two-thirds of an additional serving of fruits and vegetables each day compared with those who didn't. Study researchers concluded that video games hold promise for use in helping persuade kids to eat more healthy fruits and vegetables. "It's welcome news to hear that playing specially designed video games might get children to eat more nutritious fruits and vegetables," said Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., R.D., president and CEO of Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH), the nonprofit entity behind the Fruits & Veggies-More Matters® national public health initiative. "The prevalence of childhood obesity has risen dramatically in recent years and getting kids to eat more healthy fruits and vegetables in place of less nutritious, higher-calorie items is a great start at reversing this trend." Part of the Fruits & Veggies-More Matters health initiative, the Food Champs website, www.FoodChamps.org, is the kids' destination for fruit & veggie fun on the Internet. The Food Champs website is age appropriate for children two through eight years old. It educates kids about fruits and vegetables, and encourages them to eat more, while they play games, fill in coloring pages, and explore other fun, interactive activities. The Food Champs website also directs adults to the Fruits & Veggies-More Matters consumer website, www.FruitsAndVeggiesMoreMatters.org, for user-friendly cooking advice, nutrition information and a recipe database with over 1,000 recipes, many of which can be made in 30 minutes or less. There's even a section of kid-friendly recipes designed specifically to appeal to, and be prepared by, children. The Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation and is a member and co-chair with Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) of the National Fruit & Vegetable Alliance (NFVA). To learn more, visit www.PBHFoundation.org and www.FruitsandVeggiesMoreMatters.org. SOURCE: Produce for Better Health Foundation < Prev   Next >