Pen Points

by Dick Mount

NOTHING TO KID ABOUT - Recent statistics report that the number of seriously overweight children and adolescents in the U.S.A. has more than doubled in the last three decades. A reported 4.7 million youths ages 6 to 17 we severely overweight. And experts feel our children are blubbering up for the same reasons their parents are. Less or no regular physical activity, more television, video games and personal computers. And, er, ah, oh yes, include eating a lot of high calorie foods, snacks and drinks and you have a combination that can add pounds faster than the Bank of England. And this hefty problem is one that faces all our children, regardless of sex, race or ethnic background. The good news - - at last something in America that has no barriers.

But before we start planning rigid diets for the children, experts caution against low-calorie diets for overweight kids. If you cut back on calories you might interfere with their growth. However, increased physical activity should be encouraged.

But there's the rub. There are many children who have single parents (mostly women) who in this day and age don't want their kids running wound loose after school. The same goes when both parents are working. We have become a society that is somewhat distrustful of public parks, shopping malls and even long walks in some areas. We are wary when it comes to leaving kids outside the home with no supervised activity. And you only have to check the TV news, the local newspapers and the like, to realize why so many parents have a "mean streets" complex when it comes to telling kids to "go out and play." So television, video games and computers keeps the family together, involved and safe and moral after school. The news and images of crack, drugs, alcohol, gang bangers, child molesters, etc. belong to that out side world beyond the walls of home.

The fresh produce industry can do much to help parents feed their children good nourishing meals and snacks even in today's fast paced society. Consumers are being treated to fresh products, innovation and packaging like never before.

Whether the family is a single parent or one with working moms and dads this fresh produce industry has evolved with the changes in America. Family values are not limited to the so called "traditional" family of the 50's and 60's. (Politicians please note) The micro-wave oven, prepared foods and living styles of today's "family" is a far cry from the Saturday Evening Post America illustrated by Norman Rockwell. The butter chum will not return. Grandparents in tights, shorts and sweat suits will not turn back.

It took the produce industry a spell, but the innovators and people with fresh ideas are coming through. From value added items - - the ready to make salads in a bag - - to fresh cut fruit in grocery stores, this industry is offering all size families affordable, easy to prepare, healthy alternatives to fat filled foods. But we have to promote it. At every level. And the Five a Day program is one of the best ways for this industry to encourage parents to get their children hooked on fresh fruits and vegetables. It won't get them away from television, video games and computers but they may develop good eating habits, look and feel better and not carry obesity into adulthood.