peripatetic hetero: Healthy Hannah's Picture Book Joins in the Fight Against Childhood ...

LAS VEGAS, Nev., Dec. 18, 2012 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- A new book, "Healthy Hannah's Fitness Fables: A Promise to Yourself" (ISBN: 978-0-9852773-0-7) published by KidsProsper Publishing, pairs father-daughter authors in the fight against childhood obesity.

"Childhood obesity is a problem that requires multi-pronged efforts," says Jay England, co-author. "We have to stay on top of the issue and the earlier you introduce healthy habits to children, the more likely they will practice healthy habits and engage in fitness as they grow older. Young minds are naturally curious and eager to learn new things. And, it's easy to begin. It's as simple as doing a basic clapping game or showing them pictures of different fruits and vegetables."

The Center for Disease Control estimates that there are currently 12.5 million children who are overweight or obese in America. So, the launch of "Healthy Hannah's Fitness Fables" is not only timely, but badly needed. Children's fitness begins at home.

The characters in "Healthy Hannah's Fitness Fables" guide children on a healthy rhyming adventure about exercise and nutrition. Through playful and entertaining illustrations, one by one, Healthy Hannah, Maxwell Muscle, Low-Fat Larry, and Aerobic Annie delight in a healthy and fun journey from birth through adulthood.

Jay believes that the best time to introduce fitness to children is right out of the womb.

Dr. Allen Marino, an emergency room physician in Las Vegas, agrees: "The great thing about this picture book is that it explains healthy habits in a way that children of all ages can understand. The rhyming story line starts as a baby and takes the reader all the way through adulthood, to show examples of fitness throughout the life cycle," Marino says.

Hannah England, Jay's daughter and co-author, believes that learning healthy habits is a process.

"No one should be in a hurry or expect too much too soon," she says. "For instance, I always wanted sugary soda with dinner when we ate out. However, after some light-hearted persuasion from my dad, over time, I drank less soda and eventually replaced it with water. If my dad had forced the issue, I may have rebelled and kept on drinking soda."

"Healthy Hannah's Fitness Fables" is 38 pages and currently available in hardcover; an e-book is in the works. It is illustrated by a former personal trainer, Joe Romano II.

"Joe's illustrations really helped bring the characters' anatomy and exercise portions of the book to life," Jay says.

The authors can be reached at: JayandHannah@Healthy-Hannah.org. The book can be found on: http://www.Healthy-Hannah.org/ or Amazon.com.

About the Authors:

For more than 15 years, Jay England has worked as a personal trainer. As a kid growing up in Palm Springs, Calif., he stayed fit by chasing desert iguanas with his dog. He served eight years in the U.S. Navy and has degrees in business and kinesiology.

Hannah England is a hardworking student and plays school sports. She lives with her dad in Las Vegas and enjoys working out with him.??

???? ? For more information, visit: http://www.Healthy-Hannah.org/