Washington, DC–(HISPANIC PR WIRE)–May 1, 2007–Internationally recognized Hispanic soap opera star and up and coming Latina film actress Barbara Mori has teamed up with the Milk Processors Education Program (MilkPEP) to help communicate to Hispanic moms across the country the importance of thinking about what they and their kids drink.
As such, Barbara Mori will be sporting a milk mustache with her son in the upcoming Hispanic ad campaign, launching in print magazines nationwide on May 1st.
This message is key for Hispanics
since according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1/3 of Hispanics in the United States are currently obese. Obesity leads to many health related problems that Hispanics are already predisposed to such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
Studies indicate that drinking low-fat and/or fat free milk is not only good for developing strong bones but also helps you maintain a healthy weight and build toned lean muscle mass (1). “I decided to become a spokesperson of the Hispanic Milk Mustache campaign because it enabled me to provide my son with a good example and at the same time communicate important health issues to Hispanic women.” said Barbara.
Think About Your Drink
When thinking of maintaining a “healthy weight” most people focus on what’s on their plate, but what’s filling their glass is also important. Since the 1970’s there has been a 123% increase in the consumption of sugary soft drinks while milk consumption has declined (2). This increased consumption of calorie and sugar filled drinks may be associated with unhealthy weight gain (3).
“There is a calcium deficiency especially among children and adolescents. Many are choosing sugary soft drinks instead of milk. Barbara said. “Milk contains nine essential vitamins and nutrients including calcium and protein.” she added.
Many Hispanic moms believe that whole milk is of greater nutritional value than fat-free or non-fat milk. “I wasn’t aware that whole milk and low-fat and fat-free milk contains the same nutrients. Recently the American Academy of Pediatricians recommended switching from whole milk to low-fat or fat-free milk around a child’s second birthday because it will provide the child with all the essential nutrients but without the added fat. And that is very good”, says Barbara Mori.
Role modeling
Parents are instrumental in teaching their kids healthy eating habits from an early age. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that when mothers make milk part of the meal time routine, not only do their children drink more milk, but they get more calcium, which is critical for bone growth (4).
As a mother, this is particularly important to Barbara. “As a mom, my job is to teach my son good nutritional habits so that he can grow up healthy and strong. So his nutrition is my priority. It’s my whole life. I taught him to drink three glasses of milk a day since he was little and now he does it on his own and likes it too!” said Barbara.