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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Contact: OPHS Press Office
(202) 205-0143

Acting U.S. Surgeon General Rear Adm. Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H., will make an eighth stop on his nationwide tour to promote the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Initiative on April 9 in Portland. 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 Portland, and meet first-hand with those actively engaged in finding ways to prevent childhood overweight and obesity," said Dr. Galson.

In Portland, 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 Harriet Tubman Leadership Academy for Young Women to learn about their new bike safety program. At the school he will participate in a short bike ride and present the "Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future" Champion Award to the Bicycle Transportation Alliance in recognition of their work in promoting physical activity.

According to data from the Oregon Department of Health, some 24.5 percent of Oregon 8th grade students were overweight or at risk of becoming overweight in 2005.

Additional information on the Surgeon General's Initiative can be found at 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.