Reidsville NC: Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in North Carolina. Here are just a few of the facts:
? In North Carolina, over 30% of children are either overweight or obese giving North Carolina the 5th worst ranking in the United States for childhood obesity among children ages 10-18.
? Rockingham County?s childhood obesity statistics are even worse than the state averages. According to the North Carolina Nutrition and Physical Activity Surveillance System (NC-NPASS), in 2009, 43% of children ages five to eleven in Rockingham County were either overweight or obese.
? Overweight children have a 70-80% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults.
? Obesity in adulthood increases the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, sleep apnea, arthritis, and general poor health.
? Obesity affects learning as well as health. There are more than 25 scientific studies that show a positive relationship between a child?s level of physical activity as a factor of overall health and academic achievement. Children who are more active and generally healthier tend to perform better academically.
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In response to this crisis, the Rockingham County Partnership for Children (RCPC) is again sponsoring the GO FAR (Go Out For A Run) program this spring. GO FAR is a character development and fitness program designed to address the childhood obesity epidemic in North Carolina through a combination of physical activity and education on healthy nutrition. Throughout the course of the 10 week program, children ages eight and up train to compete in a 5K road race through twice weekly afterschool running clubs. There is a five-week one mile fun run option for younger children.
GO FAR has more than doubled in size since it began in Rockingham County last year. Currently more than 350 children from 14 schools and afterschool programs are training for the 5K. Among those schools and afterschool care sites participating are Dillard Elementary School, Wentworth Elementary School, Reidsville Middle School, South End Elementary School, Central Elementary School, Douglass Elementary School, Moss Street Elementary School, Williamsburg Elementary School, Draper Elementary School, Stoneville Elementary School, Angelic Minds Afterschool, Leaksville Spray Elementary School, Eden YMCA Afterschool program, and Lawsonville Avenue Elementary School. Every child who participates in the program is encouraged to run in the race regardless of their family?s ability to pay the entry fee. Partnership staff are currently seeking sponsors for the event. Sponsorships are critical to the success of the program because they allow RCPC to waive the race entry fee for students for whom the cost would be a barrier to participation.
The Rockingham GO FAR 5K and One Mile Fun Run event will be held on April 21, 2012 at Reidsville High School and is open to the community. The fun run begins at 8:15 a.m. and the 5K starts at 9:00 a.m. Both events will start and finish in the football stadium at Reidsville High School. Discounted early registration is available through March 23rd with t-shirts guaranteed for those who register by April 6th. If you would like to participate in the race or get involved as a community sponsor, you can get more information or sign up at www.onthemarksports.com or by contacting the Rockingham County Partnership for Children office at 342-9676 ext. 205.
Short URL: http://www.rceno.com/RCENO/?p=25697
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