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Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation
Fit 4 Me
Bold Goal: Improving Health
Substantially improve the health of women and girls in our community and significantly reduce obesity, smoking and teen pregnancy
by 2020.
Profile
Brooke, like many young girls, found it challenging to eat healthy snacks and meals on a regular basis. Soft drinks were also a temptation. Participating in Women 4 Women’s after-school program has helped her understand why making the right food choices is so critical to her both her immediate and long-term health.
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Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Fit 4 Me participant, Brooke
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"I think I’ve changed a lot because I don’t eat a lot of junk food now and I don’t drink soft drinks." - Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Fit 4 Me Me participant, Brooke
The Problem
Puberty takes its toll on young girls’ self-esteem; it’s also a time they begin transitioning to unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, eating junk food and reducing their physical activity. Girls who are overweight at this age are more likely to carry those extra pounds into adulthood, resulting in health complications.
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National surveys rank Kentucky third in the number of overweight children (age 10 to 17) and seventh in the percentage of obese adults.
Reinforcing healthy lifestyle choices during middle-school years is also important because girls not only develop strong exercise and nutritious eating habits for themselves, they also share it with their families.
The Solution
Women 4 Women, working with a $300,000 grant from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, conducts an after-school fitness program for middle-school girls. The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Fit 4 Me is a six-week extra-curricular program designed to improve the health and self-esteem of underserved middle-school girls by encouraging healthy lifestyle habits.
So far, more than 250 girls and more than 200 U of L athletes and Bellarmine University nursing students have participated in the program, with the girls learning how to incorporate exercise into their daily lives and make better food choices.
In 2008, the program will expand from two sites to three. We are also developing a “tool kit” and a volunteer/student training program to allow other interested schools, community centers and organizations to implement the program at new sites.
To volunteer or find out more about our Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Fit 4 Me program, contact:
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Women 4 Women
Waterfront Plaza
325 West Main Street, Suite 1110
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
502.561.8060
w4w@w4w.org |
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