‘Hungry Caterpillar’ Face of Anti-Obesity Campaign

Wednesday, 09 March 2011 | by Pat's Picks

Famously eating your way through “a piece of chocolate cake, an ice cream cone, a pickle, a slice of Swiss cheese, some salami, a lollipop, a piece of cherry pie, one sausage, a cupcake, and a slice of watermelon” seems an unlikely way to become face of an anti-obesity campaign. But the LA Times says the American Academy of Pediatrics has just signed a deal to use “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” as a teaching tool for kids.

This month 17,500 pediatricians’ offices around the country will receive free copies of the classic children’s book, along with a guide to help parents talk to their kids about healthy eating. Experts behind the plan say the caterpillar has some issues with portion control but commend his love of fruits.