Community Corner

Parents: Give Our Kids Less Halloween Candy

Some parents would prefer alternatives to candy and other traditional treats - what do you think? Is moderation at trick or treat feasible?

The average kid receives more than 90 pieces of Halloween candy, and parents responding to a survey say they want their kids to receive less this year.

According to the survey, 70 percent of the responding parents agreed that, “if my child received less candy and more of other kinds of treats, that would be good.” More than half the parents said their children eat too much candy.

The survey was commissioned by the American Dental Association and PopCap Games, a video game company.  

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Some findings quoted from the survey:

  • 71 percent of parents whose child has been to the dentist three or more times to get a filling
  • More than half - 57 percent - agree that candy is not the safest treat for kids.
  • Almost two-thirds (62 percent) of parents prefer their children receive something other than candy while trick-or-treating on Halloween.
  • One-fourth (24 percent) would prefer their children receive snacks instead of candy, while 22 percent prefer they receive toys or trinkets.

The survey, conducted by Information Solutions Group is based on 1,043 online surveys. 

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An unrelated Halloween survey determined the most popular Halloween outfits in 2012. 


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