Philadelphia Launches New Program To Get Schoolkids Focused on Fitness
By Hadas Kuznits
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A new program that aims to help Philadelphia schoolchildren make healthier life choices was announced today at the Free Library of Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Food Trust heads the new initiative, called "Get Hype Philly."
Executive director Yael Lehmann explains the word "hype" stands for Healthy You, Positive Energy.
"It's an extension of the Get Healthy Philly efforts that have been going on for many years," she noted.
Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter (at lectern in photo below) says Philadelphia is one of a few large cities in the US in which childhood obesity rates are just now beginning to turn around.
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"The district has tried to upgrade the food service in schools, taking away sugar-sweetened beverages in the vending machines and all those kinds of efforts -- and it takes time, but we're seeing the results," he said.
Lehmann says the three-year program was made possible by a $5-million grant from Glaxo Smith Kline.
"Those dollars are going to go out to support many, many organizations and ultimately impact over 50,000 kids," she said.