ROSEMONT, IL – Fuel Up to Play 60, in partnership with the President’s Challenge Program of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN), is pleased to announce it secured the participation of more than 80,000 youth and adults to help meet “Million PALA Challenge.” Launched by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, PSFSN, and the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative in September 2010, the PALA Challenge aimed to have one million Americans meet requirements to earn a Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) by September 2011. Today, Fuel Up to play 60 was honored by Secretary Sebelius at an event on the National Mall commemorating the end of the Million PALA Challenge.
“Harnessing our network of more than 70,000 schools, we called on educators and students to take their commitment to Fuel Up to Play 60’s physical activity and nutrition principles to a whole new level,” said Jean Ragalie, R.D., President, National Dairy Council.
To meet the PALA challenge, students needed to get 60 minutes of physical activity five days a week for six weeks – the recommended amount of exercise all youth should be getting on a regular basis. As an alternative, youth could count their daily activity steps using a pedometer. Working with local educators, students tracked their activity, which was then submitted to PCFSN.
“The PALA Challenge set high goals for this generation to ensure that they are happy, healthy, high-achieving contributors to our society today and in the future. Fuel Up to Play 60 did a great job during the Million PALA Challenge, arming students with the resources and support they need to put these goals into action and create sustainable, healthy changes to their lives,” said Shellie Pfohl, Executive Director of PCFSN.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council (NDC) and National Football League (NFL), with additional partnership support from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program is successfully helping youth make positive changes in their lives by encouraging consumption of nutrient-dense foods such as low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and participation in 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Students engage in fun Challenges to earn prizes and recognition for their schools, while tracking their healthy eating and physical activity on FuelUpToPlay60.com.To learn more and get involved in Fuel Up to Play 60, visit FuelUpToPlay60.com.
About President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition
PCFSN promotes healthy lifestyles through fitness, sports and nutrition programs and initiatives that educate, engage and empower all Americans. PCFSN is a committee of volunteer citizens appointed by the President who serve in an advisory capacity through the Secretary of Health and Human Services. For more information about PCFSN, visit www.fitness.gov. For more information about the President’s Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards Program or the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award, visit www.presidentschallenge.org.
About Fuel Up to Play 60
Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council (NDC) and National Football League (NFL), in collaboration with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive changes for themselves and their schools. Customizable and non-prescriptive program components are grounded in research with youth, including tools and resources, in-school promotional materials, a website and student challenges. Fuel Up to Play 60 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. Media resources, including related video footage and photos are available at www.FuelUpToPlay60MediaResources.com.
About National Dairy Council
National Dairy Council® (NDC) is the nutrition research, education and communications arm of Dairy Management Inc™. On behalf of U.S. dairy farmers, NDC provides science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier society, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. Established in 1915, NDC is dedicated to educating the public on the health benefits of consuming milk and milk products throughout a person’s lifespan. For more information, visit www.NationalDairyCouncil.org.
About NFL PLAY 60
Designed to help tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL’s long-standing commitment to health and fitness with partner organizations like the National Dairy Council. NFL PLAY 60 is also implemented locally, as part of the NFL’s in-school, after-school and team-based programs. For more information, visit www.NFLRush.com.
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Source: National Dairy Council