Oct. 25, 2007

CONTACT:
Communications Department
(320) 251-2700, ext. 74980

Nutrition, physical activity pilot program begins at five area daycare centers

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – More than 300 children and families from five St. Cloud area daycare centers are involved in a 13-week pilot program through the BLEND (Better Living: Exercise & Nutrition Daily) initiative which is funded by the CentraCare Health Foundation. BLEND is designed to improve the health of area children by addressing positive nutrition choices and physical activity.

Children and parents in this program will receive information weekly to educate and demonstrate healthy activities and good nutrition choices. Participants will complete surveys at the beginning and end of the 13-week period to gather information on current family habits and how this pilot program can positively impact family behaviors.

Fun Factory daycare center provider Lorel Meinz jumped at the chance to participate in a program to educate parents and children about the importance of nutrition and exercise.

“It is great to be able to share more information with my daycare families to help them instill the importance of good nutrition and exercise into their children’s lives,” said Meinz.

Nearly one in five U.S. children ages 6 to 11 in the United States is considered overweight according to 2004 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Statistics show that children who are overweight are at greater risk for heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.

If you would like to learn more about this program, check out www.BLENDCentralMN.org or contact: Jodi Rohe, BLEND Project coordinator, at (320) 251-2700, ext. 59206; rohej@centracare.com.

Local organizations and businesses collaborating with the BLEND program include Abbott Northwestern Medical Associates, American Heart Association, ARISE and St. Cloud Area School District 742, Benton County Human Services, Bernick’s Pepsi, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota, Boy Scouts of America, Central Minnesota Council, CentraCare Clinic,
CentraCare Health Foundation, Central Minnesota Boys & Girls Club, Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center, Child Care Choices, Childhood Obesity Collaborative, Coborn’s, College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University, Girl Scouts - Land of Lakes Council, HealthPartners Central Minnesota Clinics, Holdingford School District, Rocori School District, Sartell School District,
Sauk Rapids - Rice Schools, St. Cloud Christian School, St. Cloud Community Education, St. Cloud Hospital, St. Cloud Medical Group, City of St. Cloud Recreation department, St. Cloud State University, Stearns County Public Health, University of Minnesota Extension, United Way of Central Minnesota and YMCA of St. Cloud.

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