10/22/05

More Than 100,000 Kids Improve Nutrition and Fitness Habits with $6 Million Champions Grant Program

Contacts: 
Kirstie Foster
General Mills
763/764-4347

Lori Ferme
American Dietetic Association
312/899-4802
media@eatright.org

Partnership of General Mills Foundation, American Dietetic Association Foundation, and President’s Challenge Engages Kids Through Schools and Community Groups

MINNEAPOLIS (October 22, 2005) — Over the past three years, more than 100,000 kids across the country have learned how to lead a balanced and active lifestyle.  General Mills, the American Dietetic Association Foundation and the President’s Challenge are working together to be part of the solution with the Champions Grant Program — introduced three years ago to encourage healthy eating choices and active lifestyles in as many children and teens as possible. 

It’s working, one Champions Grant at a time.

Starting Something Big
Jason Langheier of the Harvard School of Public Health, who co-founded the Fitness Forward Foundation, launched Coach K Drive 2 Fitness in Durham, North Carolina to incent 21,000 elementary and middle school students to demonstrate healthy lifestyle behaviors.  Kids earn points for limiting computer and television time, being physically active, eating fruits and vegetables, and getting enough sleep.  Rewards during the program include chances to win free karate lessons, roller skating passes, and even the chance to attend a Duke University basketball banquet. 

“Rewards don’t last forever,” said Langheier.  “We use them to get kids’ attention and we work hard to hold it long enough for them to get into the habit of making good lifestyle choices.  The science behind the program is solid, and we’re always working to make the program better.
 
The program has expanded to Boston, Buffalo and Tallahassee.  “The $10,000 Champions Grant helped give our start-up initiative credibility and financial stability to test practices, measure results, and make improvements,” said Langheier.  “Our goal is to implement Coach K Drive 2 Fitness nationally and eventually internationally.”

Using Culture as a Cornerstone of Fitness
Several years ago, the Native American Health Services called for education initiatives aimed at parents and pre-school children to help prevent obesity in Native American children and adults.  With the help of a $10,000 Champions Grant, the Osage Nation Head Start program answered that call with an expanded Native American dance program for three to five year-olds and their parents.  Physical, expressive and powerful, traditional dance has a long history in Native American culture.

As the program took root, it became the center’s most in-demand daily event.  Overweight and sedentary children found it fun to be active again.  Kids took pride in showing their parents what they learned.  Tradition is taught as a way to lead a healthier life.  With the Champions Grant, the program built a compact disc library of Native American music to use in their expanded dance program. 

On the nutrition side, Osage Nation Head Start’s cafeteria has been declared a “no-fry zone,” and the program is working with a nutritionist to expand their fruit and vegetable selection and plan more nutritious menus.

Making a Difference
Since its inception in 2002, the Champions Grants Program has invested more than $6 million in youth nutrition and fitness programs that have served more than 100,000 children across the United States.  And the Champions Grants Program is paying off with big results.  All of the programs that have received a Champions grant continue to operate today, and many groups reported that they received another grant because of the Champions Grant program.
 
Each year, the Champions Grant Program awards 50 community groups and schools with $10,000 grants that support innovative programs to help children develop positive, lifelong nutrition and physical fitness habits.  The program supports the work of innovative nutrition and fitness programs developed by grassroots, not-for-profit organizations who serve children and teenagers.

The success of the Champions Grants Program represents the type of activities the American Dietetic Association Foundation believes hold the greatest potential to have a positive, lasting impact on young people’s nutrition and physical activity,” said Registered Dietitian Neva Cochran, Chair-Elect of the American Dietetic Association Foundation.  “Kids are being introduced to a greater variety of healthy food choices and they’re learning why it’s important to be physically active.

If your group or a group you know has an idea for improving the nutrition and fitness of our nation’s youth, General Mills Champions Grant program wants to hear from you.  Visit www.generalmills.com/foundation for an application.  In addition, the site features model nutrition and physical activity programs that can be easily adapted.

About General Mills
General Mills is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products, with annual worldwide net sales of $12.5 billion.  Its global brand portfolio includes Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Häagen-Dazs, Old El Paso, Bugles and more.  It also has more than 100 U.S. consumer brands, more than 30 of which generate annual retail sales in excess of $100 million.  Included in the U.S. portfolio are some of the nation’s most popular brands including Cheerios, Wheaties and other Big G cereal brands; Yoplait and Colombo yogurts; Betty Crocker desserts and dinner mixes; Betty Crocker and Nature Valley snacks; Totino’s frozen pizza and snacks; and Progresso ready-to-serve soups.  General Mills also is a leader in the bakeries and foodservice business.

About The American Dietetic Association Foundation
The American Dietetic Association Foundation is the philanthropic arm of ADA. It is a 501(c)(3) charity devoted exclusively to nutrition and dietetics. The Foundation funds scholarships and awards, education and research projects, and ADA strategic initiatives that promote optimal nutrition health and well-being of the public. It is the largest provider of scholarships and awards in the field of dietetics.

About the President’s Council on Physical Fitness
The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) serves as a catalyst to promote, encourage and motivate Americans of all ages to become and stay physically active, fit, and healthy. The President's Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards Program (the President's Challenge), a long-standing program of the PCPFS, motivates more than 5 million youth each year to be physically fit and active and awards them presidential recognition for their commitment.

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Editors Note:  For additional Champions Grant Success Stories, or for Champions Grant programs in your area, please contact Kirstie Foster at 763/764-4347.