National Non-Profit KaBOOM! Championing the Cause to Save Play

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May 18, 2010, 09:46 ET

White House Task Force Report Recommends Playas Major Factor to Combat Childhood Obesity

WASHINGTON, May 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Play is quickly disappearing from the lives of children across the United States. Children today spend less time playing outdoors than any other generation and instead spend an average of 7.5 hours a day in front of a screen. Lack of play is directly linked to increased childhood obesity - one of the main issues facing younger generations today. Last week the White House Childhood Obesity Task Force issued a report with recommendations on how to "solve the problem of childhood obesity within a generation." Physical activity and play - especially outdoor play - were cited as key elements in the fight against obesity.

"Play is a fundamental need for healthy children and communities. It's unthinkable to let play perish, and we applaud this administration for recognizing the importance of play as a major factor to reduce serious problems like childhood obesity," said Darell Hammond, CEO of KaBOOM! "It's critical that individuals, companies and civic leaders come together to plan ahead and build suitable play spaces for children within their neighborhoods. Play is inherently active and is a long-term, preventative measure for obesity. We want to help restore a culture of play so that playing - and being active - is a natural part of our children's daily lives."

The impact of the play deficit on our children and future generations is unacceptable. In addition to contributing to obesity, lack of play is linked to classroom behavior problems, including violence, emotional outbursts and the inability to properly interact with others. Lack of play is also linked to a decrease in creativity, imagination, problem-solving skills and resiliency.

KaBOOM!, (kaboom.org) the national non-profit organization dedicated to saving play, is catalyzing a national movement to save children's right to play. For the past 14 years, KaBOOM! has been engaging communities; creating dialogue; and providing tools, training and resources in an effort to save play.

"Organizations like KaBOOM! are necessary not just to the health of our children, but to the health of the entire nation," said First Lady Michelle Obama in a speech at a KaBOOM! playground build in San Francisco, CA. June 2009.

Read the full press release.

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SOURCE KaBOOM!