CERRITOS, Calif., Nov. 16, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Thanksgiving, the biggest meal of the year, could be a key weapon in winning the war on childhood obesity and family health. Mass Connections(r), the nation's industry leader in retail marketing services and consumer related promotions, and KidsPeace, the national children's crisis charity, recognize that Thanksgiving is an opportune time to continue the fight against the number-one growing health epidemic among American youngsters -- childhood obesity.
As millions of Americans prepare to gobble down the biggest meal of the year, experts say that Thanksgiving dinner could actually turn out to be a turning point in winning the war on childhood obesity and improving family health. It could also inspire the nation's consumers to shop more in order to make more home-cooked meals. Studies consistently demonstrate that children who eat dinner regularly with their families suffer from far fewer health and behavioral risks.
The campaign, entitled "Join the Fight, Help Kids Eat Right," has reached tens of thousands in its first year alone and will continue to educate many more consumers during the holidays, a time when families join together around the table for meals.
Through their daily work in thousands of retail stores nationwide, Mass Connections is distributing obesity prevention materials to parents and children -- including activity books, flying discs, as well as informational brochures for parents. Parents and children can also access information at KidsPeace's novel problem-solving website, www.TeenCentral.net , created by KidsPeace and top experts from Harvard and Brown Universities.
"Food itself is not always the problem," says Caroline Cotten Nakken, President and CEO of Mass Connections. "We all need to join the fight to help kids eat right by preparing healthy meals, eating as a family, and educating children to form lifelong healthy eating habits."
Leading experts believe this new approach may work where others have failed, and to recommend using Thanksgiving as a national test and perhaps a paradigm for growing healthier, happier children.
About Mass Connections
Based in Cerritos, CA, Mass Connections' expertise and unparalleled capabilities drive their success in delivering effective and memorable marketing campaigns and events to its clients. As the nation's leader in retail marketing services, MC is positioned to respond to the industry's need for efficient and accountable execution. Innovative design creatives, sourcing, fulfillment/distribution and unrivaled technology allow Mass Connections to provide the fullest benefit of the shopper marketing experience to both retailers and consumer product group companies. Mass Connections is the nation's complete solution for all of your company's retail marketing needs. For more information on Mass Connections, visit http://www.massconnections.com or call toll free at 1-800-275-6650.
About KidsPeace
KidsPeace is a 123-year-old national children's crisis charity dedicated to giving help, hope and healing to kids facing traumas, depression, eating disorders and the stresses of modern life. Founded in 1882 in Bethlehem, Pa., KidsPeace helps more than 3,000 children a day at 50+ centers nationally and millions more through public education and outreach with the support of its National Spokesperson Leeza Gibbons, Harvard's Dr. Alvin Poussaint, and other notables. KidsPeace was called "the outstanding organization" of its kind by the American Association of Psychiatric Services for Children and "A prototype of what we need for all children everywhere," by family expert Dr. Lee Salk.