Schools Nationwide Celebrate 5th Annual Every Kid Healthy Week, April 24 -28

School and Community Events Highlight Importance of Student Health & Wellness

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Apr 24, 2017, 11:08 ET

CHICAGO, April 24, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Schools across the country are celebrating the fifth annual Every Kid Healthy Week, April 24-28, to mark their accomplishments in creating healthier school environments for students. Since Every Kid Healthy Week was launched by Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) in 2013, more than 3,500 schools and two million students, school staff and community volunteers have celebrated Every Kid Healthy Week. Through a variety of physical activities and nutrition-themed events, schools are demonstrating their commitment to improving school foods, nutrition education, physical activity and physical education for all students and highlighting the impact these programs have on student health and academic performance.

Fourth graders get into their Zumba moves during the Fitness Frenzy Night at Piper Elementary School in Kansas City, Kansas. The event kicked off Every Kid Healthy Week and was supported by a grant from Action for Healthy Kids and ALDI. (Photo by Dave Kaup, Feature Photo Service)

"Educators now widely recognize the importance of ensuring kids are physically active and eating healthy foods as part of the school day, and the need to support health and wellness programs in schools remains a critical health and education issue," said Rob Bisceglie, CEO, Action for Healthy Kids. "Working with dozens of other organizations nationwide, we are collectively trying to help put kids on a healthy path so they can succeed academically and develop habits that will keep them healthy for a lifetime."

Every Kid Healthy Week is an annual observance shared by schools, families, volunteers and community organizations celebrated the last week of April and recognized on the calendar of National Health Observances. Events range from taste testing healthy foods and planting school gardens to renovating school playgrounds and hosting family fitness nights, and much more. Schools hosting events are encouraged to register their health promoting events at EveryKidHealthyWeek.org to put their school on the Every Kid Healthy heat map. Additionally, companies or organizations hosting a health-promoting event for employees during Every Kid Healthy Week can register their event with Action for Healthy Kids through a SurveyMonkey questionnaire. Everyone is encouraged to join the celebration online by sharing photos of their events in social media using #EveryKidHealthy.

National sponsors of Every Kid Healthy Week 2017 include ALDI, CSX Transportation and GoGo squeeZ®.

National partners include 85 state-level partners and Alliance for a Healthier Generation, America Walks, CDC, Colorado Education Initiative, CSPI, Food Research & Action Center, Let's Move! Active Schools, Mom's Rising, National Association of School Nurses, National Dairy Council, National Farm to School Network, National PTA, Partnership for a Healthier America, School-Based Health Alliance, Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, and USDA.

About Action for Healthy Kids®
Action for Healthy Kids® is a nationwide grassroots network mobilizing school professionals, families and communities to take actions that improve school foods, nutrition education and physical education for all students. With funding opportunities, expert technical assistance, and our flagship program, Game On, Action for Healthy Kids provides full support to schools and families to develop healthy school environments where children thrive. To learn more about the ways our 120,000+ volunteer network is helping to make every kid healthy and ready to learn, visit us at www.ActionforHealthyKids.org , on Facebook (act4healthykids) and on Twitter (@Act4HlthyKids).

SOURCE Action for Healthy Kids