‘Play Every Day’ Effort Continues in Battle Against Childhood Obesity

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By Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Staff Report / newsroom@newsminer.com

Story Created: Sep 24, 2012 at 8:10 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Sep 24, 2012 at 8:10 AM AKDT

FAIRBANKS — The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services this month renewed a contract to continue working with Healthy Futures to support the department’s Play Every Day campaign and to organize physical activity challenges for elementary-age children in Alaska schools.

The contract runs for three years.

The department began its partnership with Healthy Futures last year and saw participation rise significantly, according to a news release last week from the department. Thirty-six schools and 1,342 students participated in spring 2011; a year later, 110 schools and almost 7,000 students participated.

“We know that three out of 10 children in Alaska are overweight or obese. One of our department’s goals this year is to promote the health of Alaska children, and that includes helping them maintain a healthy weight,” said Dr. Ward Hurlburt, Alaska’s chief medical officer. “Being physically active as a family helps children build in more time for daily activity, which promotes healthy weights. It also provides a fun way for families to spend more time together.”

A list of schools participating in the challenge is online at playeveryday.alaska.gov or http://healthyfuturesak.org.

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