State Representative

Debbie Phillips

Rep. Phillips Announces Program to Promote Kid’s Health

State helps organize summer and afterschool programs to promote exercise

Columbus - State Representative Debbie Phillips (D-Athens) today announced that the state will spend federal
dollars for a special program to help Ohio kids exercise and eat a healthy diet. The state grant will create a
number of summer and after-school programs, and Athens, Morgan, Meigs and Washington counties are eligible
to be included.

"This is an opportunity to help children in the area have afterschool activities that promote a healthy lifestyle,”
said Rep. Phillips. “With the recent passage of the Healthy Choices for Healthy Children Act, Ohio is taking steps
to make sure that children have access to nutritious food in school, and good information about how to stay active
and healthy. This program will take it one step further, and provide more opportunities for Ohio's children."

The goal is to increase the level of physical activity in young people in an afterschool setting. Funding will be
available for up to 60 training programs. The exact sites for the program have not yet been decided. But Athens,
Morgan, Meigs and Washington counties have been designated as eligible based on higher levels of chronic
disease and poverty as well as higher youth body mass index that many other Ohio counties.

The state will set aside $60,000 in federal stimulus dollars for the programs. An evidence based curriculum
developed by CATCH, Coordinated Approach to Children’s Health will be used. CATCH is recognized by groups
such as the National Institute of Medicine and the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition for their work in
this field.

Young people involved in the program will increase their cardiovascular endurance and thus reduce the risk of
childhood obesity.
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