E&H Physical Education Students Involved in Virginia Healthy Youth Day
On January 20, students at Meadowview Elementary School participated in the 2nd Annual Virginia Healthy Youth Day along with over 5,600 students across the Commonwealth.
The elementary kids partnered with Physical Education students from Emory and Henry College to take part in a special fitness event at the school. The college athletes worked with the elementary students through games and fitness stations while stressing the importance of keeping fit.
Assistant Principal of Meadowview Elementary Cindy Jackson was awarded a $500 grant from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth for the collaboration with Emory and Henry College. The money was used to purchase equipment for the physical education classes.
Established by a Virginia General Assembly resolution, Virginia Healthy Youth Day is held every Jan. 20 and promotes physical fitness, good nutrition and healthy lifestyles for Virginia's children.
Statistics for the Commonwealth of Virginia according to the Virginia Healthy Youth Day website:
- Children ages 10 to 17 who are overweight or obese: 266,648
- Adults who are overweight or obese: 3.57 million
- Children ages 6 to 17 engaging in physical activity 0-3 days a week: 478,497
- Obesity-related deaths (U.S.): 300,000
- Statewide annual health-care costs related to obesity: $1.6 billion
- Residents’ annual state and federal tax burdens from obesity-related government spending: $222 per household
