Release No. 0357.09
Contact:
Angela Harless, USDA (202) 720-4623
Pam Hacker, Sesame Workshop (212) 875-6225
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK AND SESAME WORKSHOP UNVEIL PSA TO PROMOTE HEALTHY EATING
Sesame Workshop releases Public Service Announcement with Agriculture Secretary
WASHINGTON, July 31, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Sesame Workshop today unveiled a public service announcement (PSA) promoting healthy eating habits to children and families. The PSA features Cookie Monster, Broccoli and Secretary Vilsack discussing importance of eating a "rainbow" of foods, especially fruits and vegetables, everyday.
"USDA is committed to working with organizations like the Sesame Workshop, as well as children, parents, and teachers to encourage America's children to consume a healthy, balanced and nutritious diet and lead active lifestyles," said Vilsack. "Teaching children nutritious eating habits and healthier lifestyles is critical to our efforts to combat the epidemic of childhood obesity and ease the strain on our health care system."
Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization that created Sesame Street, produced the PSA with Secretary Vilsack featuring its healthy eating message.
"Establishing healthy habits early in life is critical to a child's physical and emotional development," said Sesame Workshop President and CEO Gary E. Knell. "For almost 40 years, Sesame Street has created engaging media to help children reach their highest potential, and we welcome this opportunity to collaborate with the USDA and the National WIC Association in improving children's lives." Knell added, "I'm confident that our message of embracing healthy habits for life continues to resonate with children and adults alike."
The current statistics on obesity show:
More than 60 percent of Americans are either overweight or obese. This puts them at risk for other serious health problems like diabetes.
The numbers for children are no less troubling. An estimated 17 million children in the U.S. are either overweight or obese.
About 35 percent of young people are at risk of overweight or are already overweight.
Today's announcement with Sesame Workshop is part of USDA's wide-ranging effort to reach out to children to combat this childhood obesity epidemic. For instance, USDA has developed 'MyPyramid for Preschoolers' to help children between the ages of two and five grow up healthy, develop healthy eating habits, try new foods, play actively every day and follow food safety rules. Additional information about MyPyramid for Preschoolers is available at www.mypyramid.gov/preschoolers/index.html. USDA is also expanding the food choices available to WIC's diverse populations, especially fruits and vegetables, whole grain products and reduced-fat dairy options. Finally, USDA will be using the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Programs to stress the paramount importance of healthy and nutritious eating. USDA's nutrition assistance programs serve nearly one in five Americans.
Sesame Workshop has also undertaken several efforts to encourage children to develop lifelong healthy eating habits. Earlier this year, Sesame Workshop partnered with the National WIC Association to help children and their families have healthier options and encourage them to make healthier food choices as part of their daily routines. The partnership is an extension of Sesame Workshop's Healthy Habits for Life initiative, which was launched in 2004, in response to the growing crisis of childhood obesity. The initiative uses the power of Sesame Street to guide children and their caregivers through lessons related to healthy eating, the importance of physical activity, and other healthy habits such as hygiene and rest.
For more information about Sesame Workshop and to view the PSA go to www.sesameworkshop.org. To download a high resolution image of Secretary Vilsack with Cookie Monster and Broccoli, go to http://www.usda.gov/img/content/Sec_and_Cookie_Monster.JPG.
About Sesame Workshop:
Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street. As the single largest informal educator of young children, local Sesame Street programs produced in countries as diverse as South Africa, Bangladesh and India are making a difference in over 140 nations. Using proprietary research to create engaging and enriching content, Sesame Workshop produces programs such as Dragon Tales and Pinky Dinky Doo. In addition, multimedia needs-driven initiatives provide families tools for addressing such issues as children's health, military deployment and emergency preparedness. As a nonprofit, product proceeds and philanthropic donations support Sesame Workshop's educational research and creative content for children around the world. Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org.
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