News Release

Acting U.S. Surgeon General Promotes "Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future" in Indianapolis

Acting U.S. Surgeon General Rear Adm. Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H., will make another stop on his nationwide tour to promote the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Initiative on May 28 in Indianapolis, Ind. The initiative targets prevention of overweight and obesity prevention, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles, for young people.

The "Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future" initiative focuses on recognizing and showcasing those communities throughout the nation that are addressing childhood overweight and obesity prevention by helping kids stay active, encouraging healthy eating habits, and promoting healthy choices.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to visit communities across the country, like Indianapolis, and meet first-hand with those actively engaged in finding ways to prevent childhood overweight and obesity," said Dr. Galson.

In Indianapolis, Dr. Galson will meet with key community stakeholders including representatives from business, industry, academia and other local leaders to discuss childhood obesity prevention and learn about existing prevention programs.

Dr. Galson will also meet with school officials and students from the Indianapolis Public Schools and Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township to present the "Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future" Champion Award in recognition of their work in promoting physical activity and fighting childhood obesity.

According to 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Data, 13.8 percent of high school students in Indiana are overweight and an additional 15.3 percent are at risk for becoming overweight.

Additional information on the Surgeon General's Initiative can be found at http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/obesityprevention.html

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last revised: September 04, 2008