Happy Healthy Monsters; Nutrition

Item: in 2000, American airline companies spent approximately $275 million in added fuel costs due to increased (human) weight on the planes (and we're not talking about extra stewardesses). Item: a recent study found that in California, land of the bronzed lads and lassies, 53% of the adult populace is overweight (although Virginia has the distinction of being the fasting-growing--both statistically and horizontally--state in the union). Item: a new report suggests that American life expectancy could shrink by two-to-five years from the current 77.6 years within a half-century due to health problems linked to obesity.Still not convinced that obesity in America is reaching epidemic proportions? Try this on for size: in 2005, Sesame Street's Cookie Monster is singing a new tune; namely, "Cookies Are a Sometimes Food." That's right; Sesame Street is heading south, as in South Beach Diet, in an effort to ward off the next wave of super-sized kids.One of two new fun and educational programs focusing on healthy eating habits and exercise for youngsters, Happy Healthy Monsters features a program-within-a-program, as Sesame Street puppets Elmo, Zoe, and a quartet of youngsters watch the Happy Healthy Monsters Network, enjoying longtime SSer Grover's exercise program Fuzzy and Blue and Healthy Too! Along with sidekicks Bobby and Sissy, Grover emphasizes the benefits of warm-ups (“pre-exercise exercise”) and plenty of jumping (with the song “Jump to the Rhythm,” the video vignette “Jump Up” by longtime SS musician Dan Zanes, a wacky visit from the “Hey Diddle Diddle” cow that jumped over the moon, and a “Jump with Me” ditty featuring Grammy-winner India.Arie and a variety of hopping animal puppets). The real-life kids giggle and bounce along with Fuzzy and Blue… and enjoy the “commercials,” which include several segments that expand on the benefits of healthy eating with, among others, Grammy-winner Wyclef Jean. From good-for-the-heart cardio--such as jogging in place, pretend swimming, dancing, and tag--to a literal couch potato segment and restful cool-down, young viewers will benefit from (and enjoy mimicking) many of the wholesome habits exhibited here. DVD extras include a featurette with kids talking about their favorite foods, Cookie Monster's "Food Song," and the animated music video "Dancing With Elmo." Recommended. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)Of course, kids are always being told to “eat right,” but what does that actually mean? Nutrition, one of eight titles in the Health for Children series, takes on the challenge of explaining the components of a balanced diet (good news: you can still eat banana cream pie--it just doesn't count as a daily fruit serving), as a multicultural group of energetic, articulate kids introduce viewers to topics such as the major food groups, reading nutrition labels, serving sizes, and the various nutrients in food. Featuring easy, practical tips for healthy eating habits, as well as touching on food allergies and the importance of exercise, this is a fun and sensible program for getting kids to think about their eating choices. Recommended. Other titles in the series include: Dealing with Feelings, Decisions & Conflicts, Drugs & Disease, Environmental Health, Personal Health & Hygiene, Safety Awareness, and Staying Safe: Strangers, Cyberspace & More. Aud: K, E, I, P. (E. Gieschen)