By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

WHILE over a hundred children three to five years old were fed nutritious food, their parents were given lessons in healthy living at home during the nutrition fair at the Chalan Kanoa Head Start yesterday.
With the theme, “What’s on your plate?” the fair was a combination of three events, according to site coordinators Bobbie Pangelinan and Marie Mendoza.
They said they decided to hold Parent Education Day, Young Child Week and the Safety, Health and Nutrition Fair all at the same time since they all have to do with promoting the health of children .
Government agencies and groups from the private sector were invited to provide healthy living tips to parents, children and teachers.
Department of Public Health’s Tayna Camacho talked about diabetes and the diabetes control program, while Mariana Sablan and Rosita Waldron reminded parents about the importance of immunization.
Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research, Extension and Education Service’s Patricia Coleman and Joanne Ogo briefed the parents and teachers on their nutrition services and making healthy food choices, while a team from the American Red Cross demonstrated CPR and disaster preparation. Subway Investment Corp., for its part, demonstrated healthy food preparation.
There was also a yoga presentation by Mark Staal.
“We have dietician here at Head Start to make sure the children eat right,” Pangelinan said. “But how about when they get home? Are they observing the same healthy habits at home?”
Aside from healthy eating habits, the parents also learned how to encourage their children perform healthy activities at home.
According to Pangelinan, most children spend way too much time watching television instead of playing outdoors.
Troy M. Palacios, one of the parents, said he is concerned that his children watch too much television.
He said he wants more of these kinds of event because they are “very educational and healthy, and recognize the importance of making sure kids eat right.”
The organizers of the event also included Claire M. Dela Cruz, Ivan Garces, Anthony Aldan, Berry Fredrick, Cristita Rumptz, Adela R. Tadao and Elenita Arriola.