Atlanta School Recognized for Fighting Childhood Obesity through Fuel Up to Play 60Atlanta – March 11, 2010 – The National Football League (NFL), the National Dairy Council (NDC) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently partnered to fight and defeat childhood obesity in schools across America through Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP60). To raise awareness of this initiative, The Southeast United Dairy Industry Association (SUDIA) brought together representatives from the USDA, Falcons linebacker Curtis Lofton, and students and faculty from program participants at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School to discuss the obesity issue and the FUTP60 solution. Bob Strasser, president of SUDIA, concluded the event with a $3,000 grant to the school for its ongoing participation in FUTP60. “The South is home to nine of the top 10 states with the highest rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and physical inactivity,” said Strasser. “We are very excited to award this school for its outstanding achievements in battling childhood obesity.” Since August 2009, King Middle School has increased its milk sales from 200 units a day to 382, a more than 90 percent increase. Currently, 75 percent of the school is participating in FUTP60, with 100 percent participation from the after school program. Activities implemented through FUTP include opportunities for students to try nutrient-rich foods and vote for their favorites, potentially expanding offerings in the cafeteria, and physical fitness programs after school offered as an option for children to stay active. “About 600 of our students are actively participating in this program, and we are thrilled with the results,” said Coach Rendell Jackson, the FUTP60 advisor for King Middle School. “We appreciate the Southeast Dairy Association’s support of our efforts, and look forward to expanding the program with this grant.” FUTP60 is funded with an initial private sector financial commitment of $250 million over five years by America’s Dairy Farmers. More than 45 percent of Southeast schools are incorporating the FUTP60 program, impacting about 5.8 million students. FUTP60 serves as a primary effort to improve student health by encouraging nutrient-rich food choices such as low-fat and fat-free dairy foods and 60 minutes of physical activity each day. About the Southeast Dairy Association On behalf of dairy farm families, the non-profit Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, Inc. (SUDIA), works with schools, health professionals, retailers, dairy processors and the public to promote dairy foods. For more information, visit www.southeastdairy.org. About Fuel Up to Play 60 Fuel Up to Play 60 is a youth-led social marketing initiative designed to help prevent childhood obesity and help youth develop life-long healthy eating and daily physical activity habits. As part of the program, student teams work with adult leaders in each school to make kid-appealing, good-tasting, nutrient-rich foods more available. They also create opportunities for daily physical activity, such as noon walking clubs and after-school sports and dance clubs. Fuel Up to Play 60 encourages kids to get involved and make changes that will help make their schools healthier places. The program reaches youth directly and engages their help in leading and inspiring their friends. The United States Department of Agriculture, NFL and National Dairy Council are partners in the program, and it is further supported by several health and nutrition organizations: Action for Healthy Kids, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dietetic Association, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association and School Nutrition Association. Visit www.FuelUpToPlay60.com to learn more. Curtis Lofton’s appearance was scheduled by NFL PLAYERS. # For more information, contact: Alex Ritchey, 404.814.1330, aritchey@c21pr.com << previous page Copyright © 2012 Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, Inc. |
