The Beacon News
February 22, 2008
By Tim Waldorf
NAPERVILLE -- The federal government is handing over $143,000 to help DuPage County children become more fit.
U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert, R-Hinsdale, visited Naperville Central High School Thursday to present the DuPage County Regional Office of Education with the funding for a countywide physical fitness assessment project.
"There is a disturbing absence of scientific data on the health and physical activity of Illinois children," said Biggert, a senior member of the House Education and Labor Committee.
"This project will enable educators to better assess youth fitness and obesity, and it will help more children adopt healthy, active lifestyles."
The new fitness program is designed to help educators and area officials assess and monitor youth obesity, health-related fitness, and physical activity -- all with the goal of reducing long-term health-care costs.
At the individual student level, participants will learn how to assess their own health-related fitness and monitor physical activity levels, with the goal of changing physical activity behaviors.
The project also calls for the development of an online resource to help educators and administrators track the data that's collected and share it with parents. |