News Release

Acting U.S. Surgeon General Promotes "Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future" at Disney

Acting U.S. Surgeon General Rear Adm. Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H., will make a stop on his nationwide tour to promote the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Initiative on May 6 at Walt Disney World in Orlando. 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 and organizations across the country, like Walt Disney World, and meet first-hand with those actively engaged in finding ways to prevent childhood overweight and obesity," said Dr. Galson.

Dr. Galson will meet with officials from Walt Disney World Resort on behalf of The Walt Disney Company to present them with the "Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future" Champion Award in recognition of their well-balanced food initiative which was designed to encourage better eating habits.

According to 2005 data from the Florida Department of Health, 14.4 percent of high school students were at risk for overweight and an additional 10.9 percent are overweight. Also in 2005, 31.3 percent of middle school students did not go to physical education classes at all during an average school week.

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: December 30, 2008