Santa Claus - A Bad Role Model For Children, Says Health Expert

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Santa Speaks - From The Big Chair At Bloomingdale's

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Now, we all love Santa Claus. But, would you say he is a good role model for kids to follow? Well, a public health expert Nathan Grills from Monash University in Australia says "no." Grills knows a thing or two about health, and says Santa promotes obesity, speeding and drink-driving. But, Grills's comments are not just unsubstantiated remarks. His work titled "Santa Claus: a public health pariah?" was published in the December edition of British Medical Journal. In his article, Grills says Santa's "sedentary" image could be damaging million of lives as the awareness of Santa is "nearly universal."

So, what advice does Grills have for Santa for improving his lifestyle and image?

• stop using the sleigh; walk or bike instead
• if you absolutely have to drive a sleigh, wear a seat belt
• stop eating cookies and opt out for healthier snacks instead
  
• stop smoking cigars and pipes
  
• cut on brandy and drink-driving
  
• wear a helmet when chimney climbing or roof surfing
• make sure you are not sick when interacting with thousands of children that pass through your lap and whisper into your ear from up close

Grills does summon marketers to be more responsible and stop propagating the less than idealistic image of Santa. Other experts says the Santa brand has to be managed and protected, but the intuitive response to that is -- who owns the Santa brand?

The bottom line is that Santa is very popular and needs to change to become a role medal that is healthy and conscientious, according to the research.