"Treat" Your Body Right This Halloween

HONOLULU – The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) is urging all Halloween celebrants to "treat" their bodies right and observe a healthy holiday by replacing sugar-laden treats with more nutritious snacks.

Strategies for parents to beat the sugar rush include:

• "Trading" sweets from their child’s trick or treat bag for special activities or games.
• Offering trick-or-treaters stickers, crayons, hair barrettes/bows, or other toys.
• Stocking up on sugarless treats or healthy snacks.

For children with Diabetes it’s also important to ensure appropriate insulin use and count carbohydrates to help manage food intake and keep blood sugar levels stable.

Of the 100,000 people estimated to have Diabetes in Hawaii as many as 25,000 may not know it. Uncontrolled diabetes increases a person’s risk of heart disease and stroke, and is the leading cause of adult blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputations. Additionally, people with diabetes are three times more likely to die from complications of flu and pneumonia.

Educating the public about eating the proper foods, getting regular physical activity, monitoring blood sugar levels, and taking prescribed medications and immunizations can help delay or prevent serious complications from Diabetes.

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For more information, contact:

Janice Okubo
Communications Director
Phone: (808) 586-4442
E-mail: jsokubo@mail.health.state.hi.us

Laura M. Lott
Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 586-4418
E-mail: lmlott@mail.health.state.hi.us