The Nag Factor and Junk Food Ads

Follow the link below to an article that caught my eye recently. Yes this may have to do with the fact that I have two young kids who can be EXPERT naggers at the grocery store from time to time!

It's worth the read and might make you reconsider your take on Chester Cheetah.

Does anyone else remember a time when a certain OTHER company used an animated character to lure kids to use their product??

www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/16/nag-factor-junk-fund_n_928253.html

If only there could be a series of cool, hip health nut type characters that kids would flock to...

Dan River Partnership for a Healthy Community

This HCAT group in the greater Danville area is partnering with some fine folks at Virginia Tech to assess their existing nutrition environment and physical activity outlets. Click on the link below to read the news article about their efforts on GoDanRiver.com!

http://www2.godanriver.com/news/2011/aug/06/students-map-out-where-food-exercise-available-dan-ar-1221056/

Worldwide Day of Play

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 24th as the Worldwide Day of Play!

Nickelodeon has invited groups across Virginia and the nation to "Get Up, Get Out and Go Play!" On this day, the Nickelodeon channels and website will go dark in an effort to encourage youth and families to turn off the tv and be active, especially outdoors. This is a collaborative effort with First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign and the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.

Now is the time to plan an event in your town - hold a dance off, games day, bike-a-thon, or water balloon fight for youth and families in your community. For more information or to register your group or event, visit www.nick.com/thebighelp/road-to-wwdop.html
Groups that register by September 14th will see their name scroll across tv screens tuned to Nickelodeon!

Galax Bike Rodeo

Three cheers for the Twin County Healthy Communities Action Team (HCAT) for their recent Bike Rodeo event!

This new HCAT was delighted to have state Senator Roscoe Reynolds pay a visit to their free, fun kids' bike rodeo on July 21st at Felts Park in Galax.

The team worked together to provide free bike helmets for participants, bike safety training, some nutritional information, a fun bike course and luckily some ice cold water for all.

Kudos to all of the groups who helped out - TurnKey KB & Associates, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Galax Police Department and others for making it happen!