American Heart Association and EdVenture Children’s Museum To Host Day of Play

Goal is to Encourage Healthy Eating and Physical Activity

COLUMBIA, SC – September 24, 2008 – The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a joint initiative of the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation, is motivating kids to pledge to lead healthier lives.  September is Go Healthy Month, a time to encourage kids to eat healthier and incorporate more physical activity into their daily lives.

Please join us for the following Columbia event:

What:     Go Healthy Day of Play

When:    Saturday, Sept. 27, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Where:   EdVenture Children’s Museum

What:      Fun, family activities including game challenges, medals, stickers and much more!

Go Healthy Month activities aim to give kids the power and confidence to take charge of their own health and to provide them with the tangible tools they need to create healthier environments at home, at school and in their communities. During this exciting day of play kids will have the chance to pledge to Go Healthy as a sign of their commitment to achieving their health and physical activity goals.

Physically inactive people are twice as likely to develop coronary heart disease as physically active ones.  Despite the life threatening risks, the prevalence of overweight among children aged 6-11 years has more than doubled in the past 20 years and has more than tripled among adolescents aged 12-19.  A 2007 survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that among high school students 14% were obese and a staggering 62% did not meet recommended levels of physical activity.

Find out more about the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the Go Healthy Challenge at www.igohugo.org.