Philadelphia Launches Innovative School
Health Program Using Stayhealthy Web-Enabled Devices
MONROVIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 26, 2000--
Use of Innovative Health and Fitness Devices
Highlights Unique In-School, On-Line and At-Home Program
Continuing to fulfill his promise to improve the health and fitness of Philadelphia's citizens, Mayor John Street, the School District of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Children's Hospital and Stayhealthy, Inc., a leading developer of Web-enabled health and fitness products, today launched an innovative health and fitness program for young people that combines the use of Web-enabled health screening tools and on-line resources with in-class activities and curricula.
More than 100 students ages 10 - 15 were joined by the Mayor, and fitness professionals from throughout the City at John Wanamaker Middle School to take the first measurements for the program as part of the Mayor's Fun Fit and Free youth health initiative.
Approximately 2,500 students grades 5 -12 from six Philadelphia schools will participate in the seven-month pilot program, which is the first of its kind to use a Web-enabled health measurement device and the Internet to assess and track obesity and fitness among students and provide ongoing resources to program participants.
The program is the first to offer Web-based obesity and body composition data on the City's young people for use by the City, the Schools and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
To establish the program's baseline measurements, body composition measurements are taken using Stayhealthy's BC1 Body Composition Analyzer, an innovative desktop device that accurately monitors hydration, muscle mass, body fat and daily caloric burn using a password-protected Web site to display and analyze data.
Participants will access personal BC1 data pages and link to support and resource programs through the City's Fun Fit and Free Web site.
The event also launched the program's ongoing support activities, highlighted by the Mayor's Health Trip in-class curriculum and other in-class and on-line activities. The program was developed by the Mayor's Health and Fitness Office, the School District, Stayhealthy, Inc. and Co-nect, Inc. creators of the multi-disciplinary health curriculum currently in use by the schools to provide students with in-class and on-line support for improving their health.
Other unique aspects of the program include plans for a student-published newsletter featuring fitness columns from leading Philadelphia sports stars and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; student-run program Web site within the City's Fun, Fit and Free program site; in-school fitness and dance programs from AAAI/ISMA, including a work-study program offering professional youth trainer certification for students, free on-line exercise and nutrition programs from nutrio.com and mypersonaltrainer.com., free on-line health risk assessment tools from Wellmed; and prizes through a unique incentive program for students who participate in the Mayor's Health Trip in-class curriculum.
"Stayhealthy is immensely proud to be a part of this important program to improve the fitness of young people in Philadelphia and contribute to Mayor Street's initiatives to get the City fit and healthy. The BC1 Body Composition and Calorie Tracker allows people to conveniently take a more active role in achieving their health goals, which is also the focus of the City, the Schools, Philadelphia Children's Hospital and our company in the program," said Collins.
Following the initial data collection, BC1s will remain at the schools to allow students, faculty and staff to use the devices throughout the school year. Stayhealthy also plans to place BC1 units and computers at high traffic locations throughout the City, such as City Hall, the City's Main Library, health clubs, retail venues and community and special events and offer free body composition readings to the public.
The program launch event also introduced Team Body Comp, a group of local fitness and medical professionals and members of the community dedicated to improving the fitness of Philadelphia's youth. Team Body Comp plans to offer free body composition readings to the public at popular local venues and community events on an ongoing basis.
Headquartered in Monrovia, Calif., Stayhealthy, Inc. is a leader in developing and marketing cost-effective, accurate Web-enabled products and services that empower consumers to screen, assess and monitor their health.
The company's proprietary programs are accessed through its Web site that also features a comprehensive drug database, original health, nutrition and fitness content, and e-commerce. For more information, contact Stayhealthy at 626/256-6152 or visit the Stayhealthy Web site at stayhealthy.com.
CONTACT: Stayhealthy, Inc.
Peter Bylsma, 626/256-6152 |
