Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Detroit Lions challenge kids to live healthier with #MIKidsCan Lions Experience Sweepstakes

DETROIT, Sept. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to support Michigan children and their families to develop healthier habits, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is partnering with the Detroit Lions on the #MIKidsCan Lions Experience Sweepstakes, a digital sweepstakes asking Lions fans to share what their kids can do to be healthy and active while receiving an opportunity to win prizes.  The sweepstakes supports BCBSM's ongoing commitment to children's health and its #MIKidsCan campaign – an initiative focused on encouraging kids to adopt healthy habits early in life that are more likely to be carried into adulthood.

Families can enter the #MIKidsCan Lions Experience Sweepstakes by visiting DetroitLions.com/MIKidsCan through Nov. 10 and making a pledge as to what their child can do to embrace a healthy lifestyle, such as increasing physical activity, limiting screen time or eating more fruits and vegetables. Winners will be selected at random each month and receive prizes that include an opportunity to attend the Lions' Allen Park Halloween Party, tickets and an in-booth experience at a Lions game with the Lions broadcast team and a walk-through at Lions practice.  One grand-prize winner will receive sideline passes and club tickets for the Lions Thanksgiving Day game, along with a fan tunnel and flag ceremony experience, tickets and an in-booth experience at a Lions game with the Lions broadcast team and a Lions game-used football.  

"Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is dedicated to helping Michigan's youth live longer, healthier lives," said Andrew Hetzel, vice president for corporate communications at BCBSM.  "Partnering with the Detroit Lions on the #MIKidsCan Lions Experience Sweepstakes enables us to connect with more Michigan families to stress the importance of promoting healthy habits with our children." 

"Parents and caregivers play a critical role in a child's overall health and quality of life," added Wade Martin, vice president of corporate partnerships for the Detroit Lions.  "We hope the #MIKidsCan Lions Experience Sweepstakes serves as a great resource to get Lions fans' discussing how they can take steps to live healthier, more active lives together as a family."

Impacting a third of Michigan's children, childhood obesity is an epidemic with both immediate and  long-term effects on health and well-being. According to the Centers for Disease Control, obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease and experience many physical complications, such as pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, asthma and bone and joint problems. Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for social and psychological problems such as depression, stress, anxiety and poor self-esteem.  They are also more likely to experience bullying and stigmatization.  Daily physical activity and a healthy diet decrease the risk for a child to be obese.

The #MIKidsCan Lions Experience Sweepstakes is an extension of BCBSM's ongoing efforts to help Michigan families make good choices leading to healthier lives. With a focus on improving children's health, over the last 10 years, BCBSM has given more than $6 million in support of kids' health and wellness initiatives across the state, reaching more than 100,000 children. For more information on BCBSM's ongoing efforts to help improve childhood health, visit http://www.AHealthierMichigan.org/mikidscan or follow #MIKidsCan on Twitter.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides and administers health benefits to more than 4.4 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies who reside outside the state. For more company information, visit bcbsm.com  and MiBluesPerspectives.com.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan