Fuel Up to Play 60 Delivers on First Lady's Platform to Combat Childhood Obesity

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Fuel Up to Play 60 is joining the First Lady's call to improve the health of our next generation. An in-school nutrition and fitness program launched in partnership by National Dairy Council and National Football League, Fuel Up to Play 60 shares the ambitious and attainable goals outlined in the First Lady's childhood obesity platform. The program recognizes that many of today's youth are overweight yet undernourished and encourages the availability and consumption of nutrient-rich foods – particularly low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains – along with 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Fuel Up to Play 60 is funded with an initial private sector financial commitment of $250 million over five years by America's Dairy Farmers. Already impacting more than 59,000 schools nationwide, the program will further its progress by announcing the following commitment to the next generation:

Together with the involvement of the First Lady's office, Fuel Up to Play 60 will expand its reach into more than 90,000 schools participating by the end of the next school year (May 2011), or more than 90 percent of schools nationwide. Fuel Up to Play 60 will ensure all schools have access to customizable and non-prescriptive program components such as curriculum materials, in-school promotional materials and a program Web site, to facilitate positive changes in the school nutrition and physical activity environment. Ultimately, through its reach and impact in schools, Fuel Up to Play 60 will help youth take small steps toward developing and maintaining lifelong healthy habits. 

More information about Fuel Up to Play 60 is available at FuelUpToPlay60.com. Media resources, including related video footage and photos are available at FuelUptoPlay60MediaResources.com.

About Fuel Up to Play 60

Fuel Up to Play 60 is a youth-led social marketing initiative designed to help prevent childhood obesity and help youth develop life-long healthy eating and daily physical activity habits. As part of the program, student teams work with adult leaders in each school to make kid-appealing, good-tasting, nutrient-rich foods more available. They also create opportunities for daily physical activity, such as walking clubs and after-school sports and dance clubs. Fuel Up to Play 60 encourages kids to get involved and make changes that will help make their schools healthier places. The program reaches youth directly and engages their help in leading and inspiring their friends.  The United States Department of Agriculture, NFL and National Dairy Council are partners in the program, and it is further supported by several health and nutrition organizations: Action for Healthy Kids, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dietetic Association, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association and School Nutrition Association.  Visit FuelUpToPlay60.com to learn more.

About National Dairy Council

National Dairy Council® (NDC) is the nutrition research, education and communications arm of Dairy Management Inc™. On behalf of U.S. dairy farmers, NDC provides science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier society, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. Established in 1915, NDC is dedicated to educating the public on the health benefits of consuming milk and milk products throughout a person's lifespan. For more information, visit NationalDairyCouncil.org.

About NFL PLAY 60

Designed to help tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL's long-standing commitment to health and fitness with partner organizations like the National Dairy Council. NFL PLAY 60 is also implemented locally, as part of the NFL's in-school, after-school and team-based programs. For more information, visit NFLRush.com. © 2010 NFL Properties LLC. All NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League.

SOURCE Fuel Up to Play 60