Four-E plan for healthy children

I am working to keep our children healthy for life. Childhood obesity is a troubling problem. With the onset of spring, it is the perfect time to put my plan into action. Help me to educate children to learn healthy food choices. Let's encourage these choices by removing junk food from our homes and using fruits and vegetables as our snacks. Family time can be used to promote physical activities such as biking, swimming, jogging or playing ball. These actions help to emphasize the importance of an active life. Children learn by our example, so adults need to participate and help our youths execute this healthy plan. By using my four-E plan -- educate, encourage, emphasize, execute -- we can achieve success in keeping Missouri's children healthy for live.

CLAIRE THORPE-KLINSKY, Miss Metro St. Louis, Creve Coeur, Mo.