The 2010 Anthem Blue Cross Live Like a Champion Tour Celebrates its Fifth Annual Youth Fitness Program in Partnership with the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthem Blue Cross and the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports have launched the fifth annual Anthem Blue Cross Live Like a Champion Tour, a California-based statewide traveling community outreach campaign that encourages children to become physically active and empowers them to make healthy lifestyle choices now and in the future. The tour features interactive sports-themed activities, and will visit communities through the end of the calendar year.

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In celebration of the Live Like a Champion Tour's fifth anniversary, several professional athletes associated with the tour plan to make personal appearances at select tour events.  These celebrity athletes include legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk, boxing champion and health and fitness advocate Laila Ali, World Cup and Olympic soccer champion Julie Foudy, and surfing sensation Bobby Martinez.

Additionally, Anthem Blue Cross and the Governor's Council will present $5,000 worth of fitness and exercise equipment to select schools across the state that have embraced the tour. The equipment will enable children to remain active long after they are inspired by their tour experience to Live Like a Champion. These schools will be presented with custom "Fit Equipment Kits" that contain exercise equipment that is associated with the sports represented by the Live Like a Champion Tour's celebrity athletes.

The Live Like a Champion Tour uses interactive games and challenging sports-themed activities to help children bring out their "inner champion." The 15-week program is traveling to schools, local community and special events, Boys and Girls Clubs and other after-school program locations throughout the state of California, and is dedicated to serving the state's underserved communities.

According to the 2009 "F as in Fat" report by Trust for America's Health, nearly one in three children (10-17 years old) in California are either overweight or obese. "Encouraging healthy eating and activity routines can help children stay healthy and focused. Research shows that active and well-nourished children have stronger bones and muscles, higher self-esteem and improved performance at school," said Harvinder Sareen, Ph.D, M.P.H. director of clinical programs, Anthem Blue Cross.

"Anthem Blue Cross is committed to empowering children and their families to make better health choices and to improve their overall well-being and quality of life.  As the state's largest health coverage provider, Anthem Blue Cross recognizes its responsibility to respond to the growing childhood obesity epidemic, which is why for the last five years, Anthem has been committed to bringing the Live Like a Champion Tour to children throughout the state of California, " said Pam Kehaly, President of Anthem Blue Cross.

The select group of Governor's Council celebrity athletes who lend their support to the Live Like a Champion Tour to help raise awareness and promote physical fitness for all Californians include Tony Hawk, Laila Ali, Misty May-Treanor, Jerry Rice, Lisa Leslie, Julie Foudy and Bobby Martinez.  They serve as role models, and their favorite exercises, fruits and vegetables are shared on life-size posters throughout the event site.

"I'm excited that every year, the Live Like a Champion Tour just gets better and better at motivating kids to get off the couch, get active, and eat right," said Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. "Not everyone can become a world champion athlete, but all our children deserve to grow up healthy, active and fit.  Through the Live Like a Champion Tour, kids across the state get exposed to fun new activities and they learn how important it is to never quit on themselves or their dreams.  Don't Quit!"

Event activities include:

• Olympic-Style Opening Ceremony
• Tony Hawk's Shred Like a Champion
• Laila Ali's Champ Corner
• Misty May-Treanor's Dig. Set. Spike Like a Champion
• Jerry Rice's Catch Like a Champion
• Lisa Leslie's Hoop Like a Champion
• Julie Foudy's Kick Like a Champion
• Bobby Martinez's Board Like a Champion
• Closing Ceremony

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross of California