Businesses urged to join mayors, others in Eat Healthy R.I.

EAST GREENWICH – Nutritionist Joy Feldman has found an effective way to teach children about healthier eating: humor.
Feldman’s book, “Is Your Hair Made of Donuts?,” is at the center of her statewide effort to battle obesity. Last year, parts of the book were read at more than 200 schools and other sites across the state. This year, Feldman intends to grow her program to 300 schools. The centerpiece of her campaign is Eat Healthy Rhode Island, a March 12 event with a variety of notable Rhode Islanders reading “Is Your Hair Made of Donuts?” aloud at various locations.
Feldman has introduced a new element this year: business participation.
“We are asking local businesses to encourage their employees – many parents of our school-aged children among them – to participate in Eat Healthy Rhode Island at whatever level they can – from reading in classrooms to taking an exercise break during the workday,” Feldman said.
R.I. Department of Health Director Dr. Michael Fine and mayors of eight cities and towns have agreed to be “celebrity” readers.
Businesses can sign up on The Picture of Children’s Health website: www.thepictureofchildrenshealth.org/the-picture-of-childrens-health-eat-healthy-ri-registration.html. •