Medtronic TC Kids Marathon Promotes Good Health

The Medtronic TC Kids Marathon works with locally, or shares material with many organizations that foster the development of healthy children and families who are working on the issues related to childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles. We encourage you to download their materials, visit their websites and incorporate what you learn in your daily living. Feel free to share information with your friends and other family members.

The American Heart Association is promoting the myGo Healthy Challenge. Download information about the challenge here and then visit the website. Kids 12 and under will be asked to sign in with a parent the first time.

The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation has a number of community programs which meet in the Twin Cities that promote healthy heart activities. Check out Girls and Moms on the Move and their terrific interactive website "Kids - Let's Learn About Your Heart!! 

The Children's Physician Network is a Minnesota non-profit organization. The mission of CPN is to "enhance the value of care to children by improving services, supporting pediatric health care professionals and adding a pediatric voice to health care." CPN is an affiliate of Children's Hospitals and Clinics in Minnesota. Their website, www.clinics4kids.org contains special sections on Health Info and Cool Stuff for Kids, Answers, Advice and Life Issues for Teens, and Parent Tips and Health issues.

Dakota County is offering up a wonderful program to encourage adults to walk. In partnering with us, children who walk with their parents and log their miles can receive incentives and rewards from the Medtronic TC Kids Marathon.

Simple Steps is a walking program for those who live or work in Dakota County (and those who walk with them). The goal of the program is to increase the number of people who walk regularly. The program is free and is easy to participate in - all you need is a comfortable pair of shoes and at least one friend to support you.  Simple Steps participants can win some great prizes by walking regularly with their group. Everyoneearns a reward by simply logging minutes walked for the first six weeks after registering (while supplies last). Registration begins March 15. Logging for the campaign begins April 1st and ends July 31st.

Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children is a nationally recognized consortium that brings together hundreds of organizations and individuals to confront childhood obesity in Chicago. CLOCC fosters and facilitates connections between researchers; public health advocates and practitioners; corporations; policymakers; and children, families, and communities. Together, they work to promote healthy and active lifestyles for children throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. They promote the 5◊4◊3◊2◊1go! program. Download the material here in English and here in Español.

MyPyramid.gov is a website of the US Department of Agriculture - Center for Policy and Nutrition. MyPyramid operates on the premise that each child and family is different and One size doesn't fit all. MyPyramid offers personalized eating plans, interactive tools to help you plan and assess your food choices, and advice to help you make smart choices from every food group; find your balance between food and physical activity; get the most nutrition out of your calories; and stay within your daily calorie needs. Information is available in both English and En Español.