1.) What is "Fitness Counts: 1, 2, 3!" ?

Fitness Counts:1, 2, 3! is an innovative personal fitness and nutrition program for elementary students that will take place during the months of February, March, & April to help educate our students and their families to the many benefits of physical activity and nutrition.

During these months students will earn points each day whenever they participate in positive personal health behaviors.

2.) What are these behaviors?

Students can earn points whenever they drink 1% or less fat milk, limit their television or computer use to less than 2 hours a day, or participate in physical physical for at least 30 minutes. During these months, students earning 200, 400, or 600 points earn certificates and opportunities to receive free passes and prizes to a variety of places such as, Be Active North Carolina, WakeMed, Karate International, Raleigh School of Gymnastics, JellyBeans Super Skate Center, Velocity Sports Performance, Carolina Mudcats and Raleigh Park & Recreation facilities.

3.) With the growing risk of childhood obesity and Type II diabetes, I can see why drinking low fat milk and exercising is important, but why limit television or computer use?

That's an interesting question! In researching the need for Fitness Counts:1, 2, 3! we found that families who enforce the 2 hours or less have students who are more physically fit (students are outside and more physically active), spend more quality time reading or doing homework, are able to get a better quality of sleep, and do better in the classroom.

3.) How can students sign-up for this program?

See your physical education teacher, classroom teacher, or school PTA.

4.) What do you hope to achieve with this program?

Save money and lives. The percentage of North Carolina adults who are obese and at heart risk has increased by 78% during the past decade. We (North Carolina) now have the highest percentage of school aged students in the country who are obese and at risk of Type II diabetes. We may be the first generation to have to spend as much money on health care costs for our children as we do for our older adults. It is estimated that North Carolina taxpayers, companies, and communities will spend over 11 billion dollars to address these nutrition and physical activity diseases this year. This is compared to $4.75 billion for tobacco related illnesses.

5.) For more information please contact Artie Kamiya, Senior Administrator of Health and Physical Education at 850-1646 or log on to the Wake County Fitness Council website - www.wakefitness.com