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In Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General, former U.S.
Surgeon General David Satcher writes: "In general, all persons age 2 years and
older should participate in at least 30 minutes of moderately intense physical
activity on most days of the week (ideally each day)." Anyone who has cared for
a toddler or preschool child might question this statement! However, recent
studies indicate childhood overweight to be an epidemic. The number of
overweight children has doubled in the last 20 years.
To address this issue the NC Cooperative Extension and Physical Activity and
Nutrition Unit of the NC Division of Public Health have developed a fun,
innovative and interactive program for 4 and 5 year old children on physical
activity and healthy eating. Cooperative Extension agents throughout North
Carolina are now offering the free, four hour Color Me Healthy training to
early childhood educators. Upon completion of the training, participants
receive a substantial packet of materials which include a teacher's guide, sets of picture cards, posters a CD and cassette tape with 7 original songs, 14 reproducible parent newsletters and parent posters.
In Mecklenburg County several members of the Mecklenburg Council on Health and
Fitness (people interested in promoting the importance of physical activity for
health) are partnering with a local Cooperative Extension agent to offer the
Color Me Healthy training. To date over 100 providers have learned how to
promote and incorporate healthy eating and physical activity into the
curriculum of young children. Participants spend a portion of the session
learning how they can be healthier role models for their students.
For more information about this exciting program, contact Priscilla Laula,
President, Mecklenburg Council on Health and Fitness 704-336-5392 or
plaula@carolinas.org.
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