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CELEBRATE EVERY KID HEALTHY WEEK
April 23 - 27

NEW CITY, NY - - Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert encourage schools and organizations that work with young people to participate in Every Kid Healthy Week, April 23-27.

Created by Action for Healthy Kids, Every Kid Healthy is a campaign to make sure that every child is well nourished, physically active, healthy, and ready to learn. Every Kid Healthy Week gives schools and organizations the chance to celebrate the great work they are doing to improve child health and wellbeing. It also spotlights the link between nutrition, physical activity, and learning, since healthy kids are better prepared to learn.

Schools in Rockland and across the nation are planning events to highlight health and wellness, such as hosting family fitness nights and field days, taste testing of healthy foods, and starting walking clubs and run-a-thons. April is also a stressful time for students as they take part in state testing; schools can use Every Kids Healthy Week as a time to teach students how to manage stress through physical activity and healthy nutrition.

How can your school or organization take part? Celebrate your health and wellness accomplishments and promote healthy lifestyles by hosting an interactive event that brings the whole community together. Be sure to register your event on the www.EveryKidHealthy.org website, and share photos and descriptions with others across the country by tweeting using the hashtag #EveryKidHealthy.

Childhood obesity in New York State continues to rise, with more than 1 in 3 (34%) children and teens overweight or obese. In Rockland County, 32% of students are overweight or obese. Being overweight or obese is linked to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, joint and muscle pain, certain cancers, asthma and breathing problems, and anxiety and depression.

"Having spent years coaching young people in our community I understand the need for kids and teens to stay physically active," said County Executive Day. "Getting and staying active brings out the best in our young people, and I thank the schools here in Rockland participating in Every Kid Healthy Week."

"If not dealt with, 90% of overweight and obese teens will remain so into adulthood reducing their quality of life and shortening their lifespan by an average of 10 years," said Dr. Ruppert.

Many studies over the past twenty years show the benefits of physical activity and healthy nutrition for reducing the risk for overweight and obesity, many cancers, and heart disease and type 2 diabetes. To maintain a healthy weight, children and teens should be physically active for a least 60 minutes every day. Even 10 to 15 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity – the kind that increases the heart rate and breathing but allows the person to talk at the same time – several times a day achieves this goal. Healthy nutrition includes eating a variety of lean meat and dairy products, fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Water and non-sugar-sweetened beverages are also recommended. For more information about a healthy diet, visit the US Department of Agriculture website, "Choose My Plate: www.choosemyplate.gov/ .