The Healthy Hobbit Society: Helping Children Form Healthy Eating Habits

Teenagers in the United States have higher rates of obesity than those in many other industrialized nations. Just recently, the United States Department of Agriculture created a new food guide pyramid which promotes at least 60 minutes of aerobic activity for children everyday along with a healthy diet. This story is designed to reach young children long before adolescence, before opinions and thought processes have been heavily influenced by our dietary habits. King Wally is a wonderful person who happens to make many unhealthy food choices. Henry Hobbit and his Society of Healthy Hobbits offer King Wally healthier food choices and introduce exercise in the form of outside play and mountain climbing. It is suggested that parents and professionals use this story as an adjunct to formal nutrition and exercise programs. After reading this story, ask your child about healthy eating habits and incorporate examples while preparing meals, choosing snacks, and dining at restaurants. Also, encourage some form of active play everyday. We as adults are the ultimate role models and must do everything we can to keep our children healthy.