FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24, 2006

TURN OFF TV – TURN ON LIFE!

Westchester County Fit Kids promoting fun alternatives to TV

To mark National TV Turn Off Week, April 24 - 30, the Westchester County Health Department’s Fit Kids and Eat Well, Play Hard programs are encouraging children and their families to cut down on TV viewing and enjoy more physical activities instead.

“On average, Americans watch more than four hours of television a day. This makes it almost certain that children will not get enough exercise,” said County Executive Andy Spano. “There is nothing wrong with TV viewing in very small doses when properly monitored. This week will give children and families a chance to explore other activities.”

Lack of physical activity is thought to be a primary cause for the dramatic increase in overweight and obesity among children over the past two decades. Being significantly overweight can increase the risk of many chronic illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some types of cancer.

“Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels in the United States largely due to poor diet and inadequate physical activity,” said Joshua Lipsman, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of Health for Westchester County. “Viewing too much TV severely restricts the opportunities for more healthy activities.”

In response to the growing obesity problem, County Executive Andy Spano launched the Fit Kids program in March, 2003. Since that time, the program has worked with 64 schools to assist them in developing programs that promote healthy eating and exercise. The Fit Kids program has helped many school districts plan physical activities, offer healthier food alternatives, and empower students to make better choices.

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Turn Off TV – Page 2

The Fit Kids program sponsors a No Junk Food Week in March each year, which has been a tremendous success in helping to improve the diet of Westchester children. It is hoped that the TV Turnoff Week will have a similar impact on improving physical activity habits.

The program recently sent materials on the TV Turnoff Week campaign to 150 elementary school principles and 150 school nurses in Westchester. Materials are also being distributed at the WHUD Kids Fair on April 22 and through Health Department clinics. The materials are also available for downloading from the Health Department website. Included in the materials is a cover that can be taped to a TV set to remind the family to TURN OFF THE TV AND TURN ON LIFE!

For more information about TV Turn Off Week, please call the Health Department at (914) 813-5000 or visit the Health Department's Fit Kids website at www.westchestergov.com/health/Fitkids.htm.

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