Work Off Those Cheetos!

Work Off Those Cheetos!: "Work Off Those Cheetos!
Snack-Food Makers Promote Exercise, Healthful Diets for Kids

By Caroline E. Mayer
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 23, 2005; D01

Four-year-old Ylan Isaac earnestly dumps mulch into a big plastic funnel, then pours it out. He dumps and pours, dumps and pours, making it clear that this is his favorite spot in the new playground at his preschool. With good reason, he says: 'You get to play with dirt.'

Playing is exactly what PepsiCo Inc. had in mind when it decided to fund the playground at the CentroNia preschool in Columbia Heights, the first of 13 that the beverage and snack-food company will build around the country as part of its campaign to promote exercise. Like other big food companies, PepsiCo is trying to put the spotlight on fitness and nutrition to 'balance' the calories consumed while eating many of the foods it sells."