For many youngsters, Halloween is a time to gobble down as much candy as possible. But, it also can be an opportunity to teach children about healthy eating, says a registered dietitian at Ball State University.

The lessons children learn now can help keep them from becoming overweight or obese, said Judith Burns Lowe, director of Ball State's dietetic program.

"Parents are in charge of what children have available to eat," Lowe said. "Parents should be creative in teaching children that to use anything in excess, can contribute to serious problems."

According to a 1999 report by the U.S. Surgeon General's office, 13 percent of children aged 6 to 11 years and 14 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 19 years were overweight.

Risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure, occur with increased frequency in overweight children and adolescents compared to children with a healthy weight.

Lowe's strategies for parents include:

• Be actively involved in restricting access to sugar excess at school. 
• Limit children's access to friends' homes where too much candy is readily available.
• Establish guidelines before Halloween on how much candy children can eat each day.
• Provide healthy meals before trick-or-treating or Halloween parties.
• Make sure children get plenty of exercise on a daily basis to burn calories from treats.
• Be a good role model for children. Don't limit your children's snacking only to be caught eating a hidden stash of goodies. 

Lowe said that children should enjoy candy collected during Halloween activities.

"As a parent I always emphasized that other foods were more valuable to good health but that candy in small amounts was not a problem especially if children brushed their teeth after eating it," she said. 

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Lowe at jlowe2@bsu.edu or (765) 285-5944.)