Let\’s Move! Flash Workout to Spotlight USA Childhood Obesity Epidemic – We Run This City Youth Marathon Program Students to join middle school students around the nation

CLEVELAND – On Tuesday, May 3, 2011, at precisely 1:42 p.m., students from across the nation will dance a pre-choreographed/dance exercise routine performed to the Beyoncé song titled "Move Your Body." This "Flash Workout" is a part of First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" campaign.

The We Run This City Youth Marathon Program students will be taught the routine by the dynamic choreographers and performers from Global Entertainment. The performance will be held at the Downtown YMCA located at 2200 Prospect Avenue.

In support of Mrs. Obama's "Let's Move!" campaign to curb childhood obesity, the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation (NABEF) is coordinating a "Let's Move! Flash Workout" featuring 16-time Grammy Award winner Beyoncé. The American Association of School Administrators (AASA), the National Middle School Association (NMSA) and the National School Boards Association (NSBA) have partnered with NABEF in this effort.

We Run This City is a partnership between the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, the Cleveland Department of Public Health, the Case Western Reserve University's Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods and the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon.

This year, nearly 900 Cleveland Metropolitan School Districts' 6-12th grade students will be training to run one of three race day options: a 1.2 mile run, a 10K run or a half marathon. Having been initially launched in 2006 with just seven schools and 81 students, the program has grown to 37 participating schools in 2011.
About We Run This City (WRTC) – https://vimeo.com/21127733

In 2010, 650 students registered for WRTC from 27 schools, with 403 of those students crossing the finish line and receiving one of the best finisher's medals around. Of the 403 students crossing the finish line, seven ran the half marathon, 80 ran the 10k and 316 ran the last 1.2 miles of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon.

In preparation for this year's race, 784 students from 35 schools have undergone pre-race evaluations in January and February at the Downtown YMCA. Evaluations consisted of fitness (strength and endurance) and physical measures (BMI and body composition). In addition, students completed a detailed, audio-supported PDA survey assessing attitudes, intentions and behaviors (i.e., recreational choices, intentions to be active, grades and attendance).

These assessments are repeated post-race. The results in 2010 are consistent with findings from the 2008 and 2009 race data. Using National Heart Lung Blood Institute criteria, the number of pre-hypertensive and hypertensive students declined from 18 percent to less than 9 percent in 14 weeks. There was also a significant decrease in BMI in the students classified as overweight or obese at the pre-conditioning assessments. In addition to the improvement in physical measures, after completing the program student participants reported a significant increase in support for healthy behaviors from their parents as well as improved body self-image attitudes.

The We Run This City program is generously supported by the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, the Mt. Sinai Foundation, Sisters of Charity Foundation, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, The St. Luke's Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Ohio and the YMCA through Centers for Disease Control & Prevention REACH (Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health) funding.

Find out more:

We Run This City website: https://www.clevelandymca.org/community/marathon/index.html

Let's Move website: https://www.letsmove.gov/