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"Healthy Kids Day is essentially an open house day full of fun activitiesto encourage kids and their families who are not regular users of their localY to come in and have a good time," said Becky Harkema, Executive Director ofthe Northern York County YMCA in Biddeford. "By introducing them to healthyactivities on April 12, we hope they will come back and make using the YMCAand exercise a healthy habit for life."
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The lack of regular physical activity and unhealthy eating are theprinciple reason behind an unprecedented increase in overweight and obesechildren and young adults in Maine and the U.S. Increased weight is directlylinked to an increase in type II diabetes and other chronic diseases. Thepercentage of young people who are overweight has tripled over the last 25years in the U.S. In 2005, a panel of experts from the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention recommended that school-age children participate inmoderate to vigorous activity for a minimum of 60 minutes a day. Studies haveshown that children who develop healthy exercise and eating habits while youngare more likely to lead healthy lives throughout adulthood.
"Reversing the trend of heavier, less active kids is a critical part ofMaine becoming a healthier state," said Mark Ishkanian, spokesperson forAnthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. "And our state's YMCAs are a great resourceto help make that happen."
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the statewide sponsor of the YHealthy Kids Day in Maine on April 12, supporting all 17 YMCAs hosting theevent.
Activities taking place that day at individual YMCAs include Dance, DanceRevolution Game, Rock Climbing, Pottery, Youth fitness classes, Moon BounceHouse, Open Swim in the YMCA pool, Strongest Dad contest, Relay Races, and thefirst 500 participants will also receive a 20% off coupon from Olympia Sportsfor a pair of sneakers. All activities are free, and parents are encouraged toparticipate in activities with their kids. There will be free Healthy FamilyHome(TM) "Starter Kits" giveaways (while supplies last) with tips on raisinghealthy, active kids and will be available free to families online atwww.ymca.net after April 12.
For more information about YMCA Healthy Kids Day, please call your localYMCA in Maine.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine is an operating subsidiary ofWellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP). WellPoint's mission is to improve the lives ofthe people it serves and the health of its communities. WellPoint, Inc. is thelargest health benefits company in terms of commercial membership in theUnited States. Through its nationwide networks, the company delivers a numberof leading health benefit solutions through a broad portfolio of integratedhealth care plans and related services, along with a wide range of specialtyproducts such as life and disability insurance benefits, pharmacy benefitmanagement, dental, vision, behavioral health benefit services, as well aslong term care insurance and flexible spending accounts. Headquartered inIndianapolis, Indiana, WellPoint is an independent licensee of the Blue Crossand Blue Shield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licenseefor California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado,Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as BlueCross Blue Shield in 10 New York City metropolitan and surrounding countiesand as Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield in selected upstate countiesonly), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of
