Children Help Combat Childhood Obesity With GO FAR 5K

HIGH POINT, N.C., Nov. 29, 2007 -- The fifth annual GO FAR 5K was a huge success this year on the campus of High Point University. More than 200 children, ages 12 years and younger, crossed the GO FAR finish line and received medals of accomplishment.
 
Joining the children in the GO FAR run this year were HPU college students, GO FAR parents, siblings, teachers and principals. Members of the High Point Police Department SWAT team also ran alongside the children as escorts. All 428 participants helped demonstrate that staying active is an excellent way to fight the battle of the bulge.
 
Schools from Guilford and Forsyth counties currently participate in the activity. The children trained with their physical education teachers, along with local volunteers over a 10-week period to run the 5K event. The Nov. 17 race was the culmination of their training.
 
GO FAR -- Go Out For A Run -- is a High Point University outreach program and was initiated in 2003 for several reasons:
 
• To get children active;
• To help decrease the growing obesity epidemic in NC and the nation;
• To teach children about healthy eating habits;
• To teach children about the importance of good character and how it applies to success in life; and
• To teach children how to set goals, such as completing a 5K road race.
 
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), among children ages 6-11, the prevalence of those overweight increased from 4 percent to 18.8 percent since 2003-2004. Among school-aged adolescents aged 12-19, the prevalence of those overweight increased from 6.1 percent to 17.4 percent since 2003-2004. The consequences of obesity are dire. Type 2 diabetes, cardiac disease, pulmonary disease, joint problems and high blood pressure are among a few of the conditions that are related to obesity. 
 
Establishing healthy eating habits along with regular physical activity is one of many keys for healthy kids becoming healthy adults. Physical activity such as training for and running a 5K event is very motivating. The children enjoy the big, partylike atmosphere of the GO FAR 5K event and look forward to the race. Whether they speed walk or run, all of the children and participants are making strides to live a healthier lifestyle.
 
At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in a fun environment with caring people. HPU is a liberal arts institution with approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 53 countries and 44 states at campuses in High Point and Winston-Salem. It is ranked by US News and World Report 6th among comprehensive universities in the South and in the top 100 nationally. The university offers 68 undergraduate majors, 33 minors and seven graduate-degree programs. It is accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and is a member of the NCAA, Division I and the Big South Conference.

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