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USDA Joins Dairy Farmers and NFL to Improve Health in America’s Schools
Atlanta – January 25, 2010 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has joined the NFL, National Dairy Council, multiple health organizations and several major corporations in fighting childhood obesity through Fuel Up to Play 60. Based on the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, this public/private partnership empowers students to engage their peers to “fuel up” with nutrient-rich foods they often lack – particularly low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains – and “get up and play” with 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
More than 60 percent of private and public schools nationwide are currently enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60. Regionally, the Southeast Dairy Association (SUDIA) has enrolled more than 8,000 schools in the program.
“The South is home to nine of the top 10 states with the highest rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and physical inactivity,” said Janet Grubbs, manager of communications and nutrition for SUDIA. “We appreciate the USDA’s support in helping us to fight this battle and increase access to more nutrient-rich foods and physical activity in America’s schools.”
It is possible that today’s children could become the first American generation with a shorter life expectancy than their parents.1 Additionally, one-third of American children are overweight or obese.2 This obesity prevalence is about three to four times that of just one generation ago, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.3
Fuel Up To Play 60 aims to combat childhood obesity by combing the excitement of the NFL, including Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans in the Southeast, with challenges, prizes and rewards that inspire kids to get active, eat right and make real changes in their schools and their lives. The campaign, funded with an initial financial commitment of $250 million over five years by America’s Dairy Farmers, partners students with school leaders to expand opportunities for physical activity and increase availability of more kid-appealing, good-tasting, nutrient-rich foods.
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.
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For more information, contact: Reneé Spurlin, 404.814.1330, rspurlin@c21pr.com
1 Kluger, J. How America’s children packed on the pounds. TIME, June 23, 2008; 68.
2 Ogden, CL, Carroll, MD, Flegal, KM. High body mass index for age among US children and adolescents, 2003-2006. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2008; 299 (20): 2401-2405.
3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, 2006, Prevalence of Overweight Among Children and Adolescents: United States, 2003-2004.
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