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PR-05/09/2007: Dear Mom, Please Eat Your Fruits and Veggies and Be Active

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 9, 2007 San Mateo County Health Department Contact: Lydia Guzman  office (650) 573-2025 day of event: (650) 270-7995 or (650) 454-0044   DEAR MOM, PLEASE EAT YOUR FRUITS AND VEGGIES AND BE ACTIVE SAN MATEO, Calif. - This Mother's Day 2,500 San Mateo County children will present their mothers with handwritten letters nominating them as "Mother of the Year" and certificates to a "Mother's Day Spa." The Mother's Day Spas are no ordinary spas. While volunteers indulge them with fruit and veggie facials and hand scrubs, the moms will learn the importance of healthy eating. They will also watch cooking demonstrations and discover how to prepare colorful, nutritious and delicious vegetable dishes guaranteed to appeal to even finicky eaters. To the delight of the mothers, the children's nomination letters are read aloud as part of the program. The heart warming letters are filled with appreciation and insight, such as: "My mother is great because she always asks me how school went." With the increase in obesity in our community, nutrition information alone is not enough. Individuals need to be strongly motivated to make changes. Mothers are highly motivated by their dedication and love for their children. The child's letter reminds the mother of how important she is in the life of her child; therefore, she is more likely to make dietary changes for better health. Mothers reported making some changes after attending last year's program. Many have given up soda and are eating more fruits and vegetables. Twenty-seven local elementary schools participated in the Mother's Day Project, which is co-sponsored by the San Mateo Health Department and the California Nutrition Network and is made possible with the support of many volunteers. Mother's Day Spa Schedule: May 12, 2007 Mother's Day Spas: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Redwood City Main Public Library 1044 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City (650) 780-7018 May 19, 2007 Mother's Day Spas: 10a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. East Palo Alto Library 2415 University Ave., East Palo Alto (650) 321-7712 May 26, 2007 Mother's Day Spas: 10 a.m., and 1 p.m. San Mateo Public Library 55 W. Third Ave., San Mateo (650) 522-7802 ### The Mother's Day Project is part of local and national efforts to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables and to encourage physical activity as the first line of defense against the obesity epidemic now affecting so many families in our community. A 2005 community-driven process that arose out a Summit on Health Disparities culminated in the development of a Blueprint on the Prevention of Childhood Obesity. Some implementation activities have included work with mothers and parents around promoting school and community gardens throughout the county.