"The research found the common belief that it's an uphill battle to getyoung kids to eat healthy foods like broccoli or carrots is false," said Kris Perry, executive directorof state agency First 5 California. "We were thrilled to see preschoolersexpress real enthusiasm for a variety of fruits and vegetables as well ashealthy drinks like milk."

Kelton Research, a national polling firm, conducted interviews in Englishand Spanish with 4- and 5-year-olds attending preschools in Fresno, LosAngeles and Sacramento counties between Sept. 22 and 26.

Fewer than half of California's children ages 2 to 11 eat the recommendedamount of fruit and vegetable servings daily (5 or more servings),according to the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Further, almost 25percent of them eat two or more servings of cookies, candy, doughnuts orpopsicles every day.

Lack of proper nutritioncontributes to certain health problems, such as the rising trend in childhood obesity. InCalifornia, one in three children is overweight or at risk of becomingoverweight -- far worse than the national average.

"While there has been a lot of research on barriers to childhood nutrition,this study dispels the myth that kids are predisposed to dislike healthyfoods," Perry said. "Now our challenge is to help parents find simple,affordable ways to prepare nutritious meals and snacks for their kids."

To help children eat healthier, First 5 California published a free mini cookbook with easy, inexpensiveand delicious recipes developed by nutritionist and popular Latina TVpersonality Chef LaLa. Thebilingual booklet also includes important nutrition tips for families withyoung children, such as healthy portion sizes and how to read nutritionlabels.

Starting today, "Yummy for Your Tummy" is available for free to all Californians bycalling1-800-KIDS-025 or visiting www.first5california.com. Soon the booklet alsowill be available at Albertsons stores in California.

"There's a widespread misconception that healthy food is harder and moretime-consuming to make," said Chef LaLa. "It's my hope that 'Yummy for YourTummy' will help families see that they can get delicious food on the tablewithout a lot of hassle or emptying their wallets."

About First 5 California

First 5 California, also known as the California Children and FamiliesCommission, was established after voters passed Proposition 10 in November1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on cigarettes to fund education,health, child care and other programs for expectant parents and children upto age 5. For more information, please visit www.first5california.com.

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=863657