FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
CONTACT:
Ann Marie Walker, Marketing Manager
(815) 963-6769, ext. 2832
We-Can National Program to Combat Childhood Obesity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
CONTACT:
Ann Marie Walker, Marketing Manager
(815) 963-6769, ext. 2832
Rockford, IL -- On Thursday, November 29th, Acting Surgeon General Galson and NIH Director Zerhouni will announce expanded efforts to address the childhood overweight epidemic in the U.S. through a new partnership with the Association of Children’s Museums.
Across the country, other children’s museums and community groups will hold simultaneous events to showcase the We Can!™ program and demonstrate their efforts to prevent childhood overweight. Events will be held in Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; Las Vegas, NV; Pittsburgh, PA; Memphis, TN; Oak Ridge, TN; Rockford, IL; and Carson City, NV.
Media Outside of Boston: Dial in to 1- 877-741-4253
Confirmation Code: 9435869
*Please dial in at 1:50 pm, ten minutes prior to the event start time to register for the telebriefing.
Rates of overweight children and adolescents continue to rise in the U.S., currently affecting over 12 million American youth and putting them at increased risk for chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and asthma. In response, the federal government created We Can!™ (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition) and is further expanding its reach by forging a partnership with the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) to implement We Can!™ programs throughout the country. The ACM joins 40 national and corporate partners who are currently working in more than 450 community sites in 44 states to help families adopt healthier lifestyles and prevent overweight in young people.
We Can!™ is a science-based, national education program developed by the National Institutes of Health -- a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services -- to help children ages 8-13 stay at a healthy weight by improving food choices, increasing physical activity, and reducing screen time. We Can!™ is unique among existing youth obesity-prevention initiatives in its focus on reaching parents and families as a primary group for influencing young people. The program offers flexible, turn-key resources complete with partnership ideas and outreach opportunities to unite community organizations. We Can!™ has been adopted by museums, health professionals, community groups, corporate wellness programs, and others.
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On a national level, Discovery Center Museum in Rockford, Illinois, was the first children’s museum to join forces with the We Can initiative. On a local level, Discovery Center will provide a leadership role in our community by bringing together staff, resources and partner organizations to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to combat childhood obesity.
The Fit Families Initiative is a widespread opportunity for families and students to adopt healthy behaviors and reaches a diverse audience focusing particularly on those in low-income households.
Discovery Center is developing a plan to reach student and family audiences through our after school program, Head Start program, library outreach and general public museum visitors. The critical partners in this project include the YMCA, Head Start, University of Illinois School of Medicine, the 21st Century After School Achievement Program, and the Rockford Public Library System.
On Thursday, November, 29, students in the after school program at from Barbour Language Academy will enjoy a field trip to Discovery Center from 2:45 to 4:00 p.m. This will mark the kick off to the Fit Families Initiative in the After School Programs, which will begin at a later date. In addition to enjoying the museum, the students will also sample and learn about whole grain breads compliments of Great Harvest Bread Company.
Discovery Center Museum is a non-profit organization providing hands-on math, science and art experiences for all ages with over 250 hand-on exhibits, planetarium, special area for children under five, and an outdoor science park. Discovery Center is rated the #4 children’s museum in the nation by Child magazine. The Museum is located inside Riverfront Museum Park, 711 North Main Street, Rockford, Ill. General admission to the Museum is: $5 adults, $4 children (ages 2 to 17) and free to children under 2 years and Museum members. Hours open are: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday; Noon to 5 p.m., Sunday. For additional information, call (815) 963-6769 or log onto our website at www.discoverycentermuseum.org.
*** MEDIA USE ONLY ***
For all media inquiries, contact the NHLBI Communications Office at (301) 496-4236 or at nhlbi_news@nhlbi.nih.gov.
Or
For additional information or to make media arrangements, please contact Ann Marie Walker, marketing manager, at (815) 963-6769, ext. 2832 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., weekdays or 623-5790 after hours.
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For additional information, the public is encouraged to call Discovery Center at (815) 963-6769 or visit the Museum’s web site at www.discoverycentermuseum.org. Discovery Center Museum, one of the Nation’s 10 Best Children’s Museums as cited by Child magazine, is located inside Riverfront Museum Park at 711 North Main Street, Rockford, Ill. General admission to the Museum is $5 adults, $4 children (ages 2 to 17) and free to children under 2 years and Museum members. Hours of operation are: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday; Thursday until 7p.m. (summer only); and Noon to 5 p.m., Sunday.
