Wellness Academics & You (WAY) A Program Funded by The Walmart Foundation, Has Been Approved by Governor Deal's Power UP for 30 Program

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., June 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia SHAPE and their Power UP for 30 initiative is focused on incorporating physical activity in classrooms and schools to build an enhanced learning environment. Power UP for 30 has put together an in-depth resource guide to help Georgia schools find different programs that help deliver the 30 minutes of physical activity before, during, and after school. The Wellness, Academics, and You (WAY) program has recently been approved as a program "that works" to reach 30 minutes or more of physical activity a day while incorporating state standards. Through the Walmart Foundation's WAY to a Healthier America (WFWHA) initiative, schools are able to access the WAY program at no cost, in turn making the pledge to become a Power UP for 30 school.

Georgia SHAPE is Governor Nathan Deal's statewide initiative to fight childhood obesity, and their Power UP for 30 voluntary program promotes adding 30 minutes of physical activity in elementary schools every day in addition to their regular physical education class. Research has proven that increased physical activity is directly proportionate to improved academic achievement.

The Institute for America's Health (IAH) is the founder of the WAY to a Healthier America (WHA) initiative, in collaboration with some of the nation's leading experts in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, and wellness to develop tailored interventions for schools and communities. The WAY program is the programmatic platform of the WHA initiative. WHA initiatives are currently underway in multiple states (DE, NC, KS, AR, MO, GA, AL, and FL). The Walmart Foundation made it possible for IAH to enter into three of the most challenging urban markets in the nation to serve our country's most cash-strapped schools (Washington, D.C., Chicago, IL, and Atlanta, GA).

"The Power UP for 30 program is a great example of what states and communities can do to turn the tide on childhood obesity. The fact is that healthy kids do better in school. We applaud Governor Deal's efforts and are pleased to be part of the Georgia SHAPE initiative," said Stuart Reese, Executive Director of IAH.

The Wellness, Academics & You (WAY) is a proven-effective, classroom-based health education curriculum series and simultaneously a tool for personal, familial, cultural, and community change. The WAY series consists of versions for grades K-1, 2-3, and 4-5. It provides standards-based activities and lessons designed to integrate into existing lesson plans while embedding key health messages into core subjects (i.e. math, science, history, social studies, language arts, etc.) One of the most important facets of the WAY program series is that it teaches our children to become good critical thinkers. These critical thinking skills not only result in the adoption of life-long healthy lifestyle choices, but encompass all risky behaviors (alcohol, drugs, tobacco).

The WAY series was also recently approved by the Chicago Public Schools Health and Wellness review committee and is listed as an Approved Health and Wellness Partner.

Georgia SHAPE Power UP for 30:
http://www.georgiashape.org/powerupfor30.html

Georgia Shape resource guide:
http://www.georgiashape.org/images/powerupfor30/powerupfor30_expandedresourceguiderev.pdf

Institute for America's Health:
www.healthy-america.org

SOURCE Institute for America’s Health