News Release

Acting Surgeon Promotes “Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future” in Pierre

Acting Surgeon General 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 Oct. 16 in Pierre, S.D. The initiative targets prevention of overweight and obesity, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles, for young people.

The Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future project 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 Pierre, and meet first-hand with those actively engaged in finding ways to prevent childhood overweight and obesity," said Galson, a rear admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service.

In Pierre, Rear Adm. Galson will present the Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future Champion Award to the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks program. This program is helping South Dakota kids increase their physical activity levels by encouraging them to go outside and explore the natural world which surrounds them. Through an innovative partnership with the South Dakota Department of Health, the Game, Fish, and Parks program has been able to expand its recreation offerings in the state parks while highlighting the importance of physical activity.

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

The 2007 South Dakota Youth Risk Behavior Survey showed 9.1 percent of high school students in public schools were overweight.

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