April 8th, 2008 - JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CALGARY ANNOUNCES THIRD ANNUAL CHILDHOOD OBESITY AND NUTRITION EDUCATION INITIATIVE

More Than 230 Leagues Unite to Educate Children on Importance of Eating Well and Staying Healthy as Part of Junior Leagues’ Kids in the Kitchen Activities

The Junior League of Calgary (JLC) is pleased to announce its participation in the third annual education initiative on childhood obesity and nutrition, entitled Junior Leagues’ Kids in the Kitchen, along with more than 230 Leagues from The Association of Junior Leagues International Inc. (AJLI).  With the goal to raise awareness and help reverse the growth of childhood obesity and its associated health issues, the Junior League of Calgary will hold the program at G.W. Skene Community School on April 8th, 2008.

Junior Leagues’ Kids in the Kitchen, which launched in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom in 2006, addresses the staggering statistic that nearly one-third of children and adolescents in North and South America will be overweight by 2010 and at increased risk of contracting Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, the numerous ailments related to high cholesterol and social problems that affect self-esteem.

In Calgary, the JLC Kids in the Kitchen Day will reach the entire school population at G.W. Skene Community School consisting of 235 students in grades 4 to 6.  There will be two separate presentations in the morning and in the afternoon. The JLC has enlisted the help of Will Kwong, Stampede Executive Chef, and Christy Hayne, an accomplished dancer and choreographer, to teach the students about healthy food choices and incorporating fitness into their life. Each speaker will make a short presentation and then the children will rotate through learning stations on portion sizes and reading nutrition labels. Students will also participate in two hands-on activities, in which they will make parfaits with Will Kwong and learn dance steps from Christy Hayne.  In addition, each student will receive a package of recipes, nutrition information, two children’s fitness magazines, a bookmark and a magnet. The Canada Safeway store at Glenmore Landing generously donated the reusable grocery bags to hold all of the materials given to students.

Carol Smith, President of the Junior League of Calgary, states “We are pleased to once again be a part of the Kids in the Kitchen initiative. The Junior League of Calgary is responding to the growing number of obese children as well as children with poor eating habits. By educating children with hands-on activities on nutrition and healthy lifestyles, we can make a difference in our community”.

Leagues across four countries will continue to involve kids in hands-on activities related to preparation of their own meals and snacks, based on information that shows that kids who help with shopping and meal preparation are more likely to eat healthy foods.  Junior Leagues also offer a comprehensive website with materials that interest both kids and parents. An online recipe collection features downloadable kid-friendly, nutritious recipes from celebrities, chefs and athletes, as well as an educational interactive game provided by Cartoon Network, the exclusive kids media partner of Kids in the Kitchen.  Kids and their parents can also access downloadable nutrition and exercise tips and quizzes to test kids on their nutritional knowledge. The Kids in the Kitchen website can be found at http://kidsinthekitchen.ajli.org

Hundreds of thousands of children and their families will continue to have the opportunity to enrich their lives and palates with recipes, tips and activities from Junior League members through the Kids in the Kitchen initiative.  The Junior Leagues believe that education and hands-on involvement in healthy meal preparation are the first steps to making a lasting change in our children’s future.