Friday, September 16, 2011

Worldwide Day of Play

The Utah Department of Health and Utah State Office of Education have partnered to promote the 2011 Worldwide Day of Play. The agencies are sponsoring a competition for school districts that promote at least 150 minutes per week of physical activity or “active play” during the week of September 19-23.

Worldwide Day of Play began in 2004 as a way to combat childhood obesity, focusing on the healthy behavior of regular physical activity. The focus of the competition is to encourage all students to play and be active instead of taking recess time as another time to sit and talk with friends.  Girls are significantly less likely to be physically active than boys, a distinction that only widens after ages 11-13. 

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top 3 districts with the most schools participating.
  
School districts around Utah will be participating, focusing on including all students in K-12 schools.
                       
Week of September 19-23 for the contest.
Saturday, September 24 is Worldwide Day of Play.

Contact Lauren at lbartsch@utah.gov or at 801-538-6475 to find schools that are participating in your area.

For more information, contact:
Brett McIff
Physical Activity Coordinator
801-538-9362