9:19 a.m., Feb. 9, 2010----The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is sponsoring a video contest for Delaware students in grades 6 through 12. The Get Up and Do Something competition provides an opportunity for youth to get involved in promoting physical activity and healthy eating.

THIS STORY

E-mail

Print

Twitter

The winner will earn $1,000 plus the chance to co-direct a 30-second video commercial on healthy lifestyles for 12- to 18-year olds.

“Even if being a producer is not what you aspire to be, the Get Up and Do Something video contest is a fun way to be creative and help your peers get active in making healthy lifestyle choices,” says Michael Peterson, professor in the Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences and coordinator of the contest from the University of Delaware.

Michelle Eichinger, physical activity program administrator for DPH, cites statistics from the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey showing that almost one-third of Delaware high school students are either overweight or obese, and only one in every three students meets recommended levels of daily activity.

“Obesity and sedentary lifestyles are having a profound impact on the health of our youth,” says Eichinger, who earned a bachelor's degree in exercise and sports science at UD in 2000 and a master's in health promotion in 2003.

Eichinger notes that Delaware ranks as the 16th most obese and overweight state in the nation for children, according to Trust for America's Health. “The impact on the health, academics, and future lives of our students is being compromised by lifestyles that neglect physical activity and healthy nutrition,” she says.

The contest encourages students to get involved with the campaign, vote for their favorite videos, promote healthy behaviors, and help address the growing health crisis among youth. In addition to the top prize of $1,000, four $250 runner-up prizes will be awarded.

Deadline for submissions is March 15. For more information on contest rules and entry submissions, visit the Get Up and Do Something Web site and click on the video contest link.

Article by Diane Kukich