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SALT LAKE CITY -- In a year long effort to promote healthy eating and physical activity in Utah schools, the Dairy Council of Utah/Nevada has teamed up with Alex Smith, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, in a campaign to fight childhood obesity. The campaign, known as Fuel Up to Play 60, is part of a national initiative to promote healthy eating and physical activity by the National Football League and National Dairy Council.
Alex Smith joined students at Brockbank Junior High during a school assembly to share the benefits and importance of eating right, exercising, and being prepared. The school was selected for this assembly based on their pro-active efforts to empower and encourage students to be healthy through their participation in the Fuel Up To Play 60 program. More than 60 percent, of the nation's 96,000 private and public schools are currently enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60. In Utah, 452 schools representing 260,561 students in grades four through ten participated in the Fuel Up To Play 60 program this school year, including Brockbank.
"Child nutrition research and education has always been a major commitment for daily farm families and a cornerstone of the National Diary council," said Karen Koncar, executive director of the Dairy Council of Utah. "Partnering with Alex Smith brings light to this and helps encourage children and young adults to eat nutrient rich foods and stay active, maintaining their overall health and strength during those crucial years."
On January 15, 2010, The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), joined The National Football League, The National Dairy Council, multiple health organizations, and several major corporations in the campaign Fuel Up To Play 60 to fight and defeat childhood obesity.
The Fuel Up to Play 60 program taps the power of the NFL and its teams, players and physical activity programming to add recognition and value for students. National Dairy Council's trusted school relationships are crucial in sustaining the program.
All 32 NFL teams are participating in the program. By giving students both a voice and a valuable role in shaping the future of their generation, National Dairy Council, the NFL and USDA are providing concrete opportunities for children to lead real change in the fight against childhood obesity. Fuel Up to Play 60 also gives leaders in health, business, government and communities nationwide an opportunity to be a part of a movement that relies on participation, collaboration and action by youth and adults alike to help youth develop and maintain healthy habits to last a lifetime.
Alex Smith's appearance was scheduled by NFL Players. More information about Fuel Up to Play 60 is available at FuelUpToPlay60.com. For a complete list of schools enrolled in Fuel Up To Play 60 in Utah go to www.UtahDairyCouncil.com
