Jan

11

SPARK program aims to get kids active - BlueRidgeNow.com(Childhood Obesity News)

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About 30 physical education teachers from Henderson and Rutherford county schools are running, skipping and sidestepping around orange cones in the gymnasium of the Western North Carolina Justice Academy. SPARK, Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids, is a research-based physical education program out of California, according to the organizers. Locally, the Childhood Obesity Prevention Demonstration Project is funded by a grant from the state’s legislature, which the Henderson County Department of Public Health and the Partnership of Health helped spearhead with 17 other agencies in the community. The partners range from schools to hospitals, and they are working in Henderson County to help create a healthier community. It shows “the need in the school systems so we can in turn address obesity and other diseases, like diabetes. Part of the fun of the exercises is to get kids interested in a variety of activities, which are inclusive and build self esteem, confidence and social skills. Read Childhood Obesity

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