Colts, Action for Healthy Kids Encourage Schools to Promote Health, WellnessINDIANAPOLIS – As some of the top athletes in the world, Colts players place a high importance on eating right and staying fit. Throughout the season, they work hard to make sure they're maximizing their performance by taking good care of their bodies. And while very few of us will ever become an NFL player, it is equally important to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
As today's youth continue to become more sedentary and develop poor eating habits, childhood obesity has developed into a national epidemic that threatens the next generation of Americans. According to Action for Healthy Kids, nearly 9 million American youth are overweight. In addition, obesity among ages 2-5 has increased 35% in the past 10 years. While these numbers are startling, they are not insurmountable.
For that reason, the Colts and Indiana Action for Healthy Kids have teamed up to reward Indiana schools that are making positive changes in their health and wellness initiatives by encouraging students to have a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Through the annual Healthy Hoosier School Award, schools can apply to be recognized as a "Healthy Hoosier School" and receive funding from the Colts and Action for Healthy Kids to continue to improve wellness initiatives at their school.
Applications are available online at www.IndianaActionForHealthyKids.org. The deadline for all applications is March 1, 2009.
Through programs like the Healthy Hoosier School Award, Big Blue Football Camps, Colts Fitness Camps and the NFL's "Play 60" initiative, the Colts are working to raise awareness about childhood obesity and provide resources and incentives for parents, schools and students to develop a healthier lifestyle.
The Healthy Hoosier School Award is made possible through Indiana Action for Healthy Kids, the Indianapolis Colts, Clarian Health Partners, Inc., the Indiana Dairy & Nutrition Council, Inc., and the Indiana Department of Education. To learn more about how the NFL and Action for Healthy Kids have teamed up nationally to promote wellness among today's youth, visit http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/Recharge/index.php.
About Action for Healthy Kids
Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) is a nationwide initiative dedicated to improving the health and educational performance of children through better nutrition and physical activity in schools. This effort represents a response to our nation's epidemic of overweight, sedentary, and undernourished children and adolescents. Healthy schools produce healthy students--and healthy students are better able to learn and achieve their true potential. For more information about the Indiana chapter of AFHK, visit their website at www.IndianaActionForHealthyKids.org.
