Lt. Governor Cagle Joins BCBSGa in an Effort to Combat Georgia’s Obesity Epidemic
Join Atlanta Families on Saturday for a Day of Discovery, Fitness and Fun at Piedmont Park for the BCBSGa Inaugural Kids’ Wheel & Run, Benefitting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
WHO: Lt. Governor Cagle, along with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGa) is kicking off the BCBSGa Kid’s Wheel & Run event at Piedmont Park on Oct. 22, 2011. Rain or shine, families will experience a day of discovery, fitness and fun with something to offer kids of all skill levels and ages, including children in strollers and wheelchairs.
Proceeds from this event will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Strong4Life initiative, two organizations that also share the common goal of creating healthier generations of Georgians. The Lt. Governor will be on-site to start the first race (the One Miler) and will be promoting his Healthy Kids Georgia initiative, a collaboration of the Office of Lieutenant Governor, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program, and other community partners.
WHY: According to a State Health Facts report, Georgia’s childhood and adolescent obesity rate in 2007 was at 37.3 percent, and it has been increasing each year – Georgia has the second highest rate of childhood obesity in the country. One out of every three children in the state suffers from obesity, and almost half of children ages 10 to 14 don’t meet the recommended level of physical activity.
Childhood obesity in Georgia has reached an epidemic level, and the health risks associated with obesity can lead to serious physical and emotional consequences for our children, including diabetes, high blood pressure and low self-esteem, which all have the effect of holding our children back and keeping them from reaching their true potential. Georgia’s youth deserve to be given the tools to live a happy and healthy life.
“As Lt. Governor, I am challenging Georgians to get active and create healthier environments at home and in our schools,” said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle. “I am confident that with the right civic leadership and motivation across the state we can successfully change the culture surrounding health and physical fitness to create a healthier generation of Georgians.”
WHAT: The day’s events include a 5K Family Fun Run-Walk-Wheel, the Kids’ One-Miler Race (12 and under), and the Determination Dashes & Obstacle Challenge Course (six and under). Guests can also embark on a quest for wellness through “Healthyville”, the event expo filled with exploration, give-a-ways and activities. Radio Disney’s Discovery Stage will keep attendees entertained with their fun tunes and “Shake it Up! Dance Party, as well as hula-hoop and jump rope contests.
WHEN / WHERE: Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011
Piedmont Park, Greensward Space/Promenade Area
Registration: 8 a.m. (pre-registration encouraged)
Races: 9 to 11 a.m.
Healthyvlle Expo: 9 to 2 p.m.
HOW / EVENT DETAILS: Organizers anticipate 2,500 event attendees with 500 registered race participants at the 2011 inaugural BCBSGa Kids’ Wheel & Run event at Piedmont Park. Registration for the event is free and open to the public at www.kidswheelandrun.com/bcbsga. Pre-registration is encouraged, and registration is required in order to participate. In lieu of a race participation fee, donations to the event beneficiaries will be accepted.
Additional race specifics (course routes, etc.), directions and parking information can be found at www.kidswheelandrun.com/bcbsga.
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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Inc. and Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association®. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia is available at www.bcbsga.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/healthjoinin, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthJoinInBCBSGa, visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/healthjoinin or check out the Our Health Connects Us campaign site at http://connects.bcbsga.com/.
About Healthy Kids Georgia:
An initiative of Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, the Lt. Governor’s Healthy Kids Georgia is a collaboration of the Office of Lieutenant Governor, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program, and other community partners. Formed in 2010 to address the epidemic levels of childhood obesity in Georgia and the serious physical and emotional consequences of the problem, the program encourages schools to partner with their local communities and the Healthy Schools program to confront the childhood obesity crisis by implementing health and wellness programs in Georgia’s schools. By working with educational leaders from across the state, the challenge exposes children to nutritious school lunch options, increased daily physical activity, and greater awareness of the importance of healthy living. To learn more, please visit www.healthykidsgeorgia.org.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s mission is to provide a quality developmental program that empowers metro Atlanta youth, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to become productive adults. Through 26 Clubs in 11 metro counties, trained and professional staff serve more than 5,000 disadvantaged youth (ages 6-18) daily through programs that foster academic success, healthy lifestyles and character and leadership development. BGCMA also has Camp Kiwanis, a 160-acre outdoor residence camp, and the Youth Art Connection (YAC), a gallery and workspace for young artists. In order to effectively serve those who need us most, BGCMA asks families to pay annual membership dues of only $35 per child and no child is turned away due to inability to pay. For more information, please visit www.bgcma.org.
About Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, a not-for-profit organization, is committed to enhancing the lives of children through excellence in patient care, research and education. Managing more than half a million patient visits annually at three hospitals and 17 neighborhood locations, Children’s is one of the largest clinical care providers for children in the country. Children’s offers access to more than 30 pediatric specialties and is ranked among the top children’s hospitals by Parents magazine and U.S.News & World Report. With generous philanthropic and volunteer support, Children’s has made an impact in the lives of children in Georgia, the United States and throughout the world. Visit www.choa.org for more information. For more information on Strong4Life, visit www.choa.org/wellness.