March 8, 2009
FIRST LADY MICHELLE PAIGE PATERSON ANNOUNCES KICK-OFF OF “HEALTHY STEPS TO ALBANY: FIRST LADY’S CHALLENGE”
Program to Promote Exercise and Healthy Eating in Middle Schools Begins Monday, March 9
Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School to Host Albany Kick-Off with Commissioner Daines
First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson today announced that Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School will host the Albany area kick-off of “Healthy Steps to Albany: First Lady’s Challenge” on Monday, March 9. The First Lady also announced that Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines will attend the event to launch the six-week health and wellness program. Middle school students in Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers will compete for a nutritious lunch with the Governor and First Lady, a visit to a New York farm and other prizes.
“I challenge Albany’s middle school students to participate in “Healthy Steps” and try new exercises and wholesome foods,” First Lady Paterson said. “I also want to thank Commissioner Daines, and all of Albany’s teachers, schools and community organizations who are making the health of our children a priority, and who have joined me in working together to foster healthy eating and exercise habits in New York’s children.”
The “Healthy Steps to Albany: First Lady’s Challenge” kick-off will begin at Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, March 9. Commissioner Daines will talk with students, who will then view a taped message from Governor David A. Paterson and the First Lady. Students will have an opportunity to tour the health and wellness activity stations and information booths that will be on site. Last month, the First Lady visited Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School and North Albany Academy to introduce students to the program.
“Healthy Steps to Albany: First Lady’s Challenge” is geared toward students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Participating classrooms represent a team, and student team-members log their minutes of activity. Students will use the “Healthy Steps” website to convert various exercises into steps and class-teams will track their step progress on a paper map that highlights fun facts about New York State. The teams that log the most steps in each grade and in each district win the challenge. The program concludes on April 17, 2009.
Obesity is a statewide epidemic and 56.7 percent of New York’s adult population has a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 of more, qualifying as overweight or obese. In Albany County, 54 percent of the adult population has a BMI of 25 or more.
For more information on the First Lady’s initiative, please visit: http://www.healthystepstoalbany.ny.gov.
