Contact Information: Contact: Shannon Fern CSG-PR 303-433-7020
LiveWell Colorado "Challenge" Campaign Launches Statewide
Vibrant Campaign Encourages Coloradoans to Help Each Other Lead Lives of Healthy Eating and Active Living
| Source: CSG
DENVER, CO--(Marketwire - October 7, 2009) - LiveWell Colorado
(http://www.livewellcolorado.org), a non-profit organization committed to
reducing obesity in Colorado by inspiring healthy eating and active living,
last week launched a statewide campaign encouraging all Coloradoans to
challenge each other and their communities to live well. Although Colorado
still holds the title of "leanest state in America," the percentage of
overweight and obese citizens in the state is on the rise. LiveWell
Colorado, led by a five-year strategic plan, is committed to fighting the
obesity epidemic through consumer education and policy and environmental
changes.
"Though Colorado ranks as the nation's leanest state, it's certainly not
cause for celebration. The fact that nearly 19 percent of adults in our
state are obese is cause for concern," said Maren Stewart, president and
CEO of LiveWell Colorado. "LiveWell Colorado is leading the way in
challenging Colorado to become healthier."
Tapping into the creativity of Denver-based Sukle Advertising & Design,
LiveWell Colorado will blitz the state this fall with a campaign focused on
the theme, "Challenge." Last Wednesday, the campaign kicked off with a
flash mob in three cities across the state. In Denver, Greeley and Grand
Junction, more than 100 people stripped down to retro, 1980s-inspired work
out gear and performed aerobics, leaving passersby engaged and amused. View
the video here: http://www.livewellcolorado.org/challenge.
In addition, citizens will notice billboards that spell "Indulge" in
healthy and colorful fruits and vegetables and "Ride" made up of bikes,
skis, snowboards and more (view art here:
http://www.livewellcolorado.org/challenge); see television commercials that
provoke citizens to challenge others to make healthy choices in everyday
locations (watch a spot here: http://www.livewellcolorado.org/challenge);
and enjoy a delicious array of non-traditional tactics that will ensure
healthy competition among friends and family, colleagues and total
strangers.
LiveWell Colorado's commitment to promote healthy eating and active living
is underscored by statistics that indicate that obesity is a critical issue
within the state's borders. Colorado's adult obesity rate has nearly
doubled since 1995 and, according to a July report by the Trust for
America's Health and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, more than one in four
Colorado kids ages 10 to 17 are obese or overweight. The Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment's Child Health Survey states
that 25.8 percent of Colorado children ages 2 to 14 are either obese or
overweight.
"Through comprehensive research we've found that leading a healthy
lifestyle is more easily achieved when supported by the people with whom we
live and work," said Stewart. "This campaign is aimed at promoting that
message -- if we challenge and support each other to live well, we will
succeed together."
LiveWell Colorado has funded local community initiatives across the state
since 2006 through its coordination with Kaiser Permanente, The Colorado
Health Foundation and The Kresge Foundation. The organization became a
501(c)(3) in 2008 and named its first president and CEO, Maren C. Stewart,
JD, APR, in April 2009. Today, led by its strategic plan, LiveWell
Colorado aims to drive infrastructure changes in Colorado's communities and
encourage organizational and public policies that make healthy eating and
active living choices accessible to all Coloradoans.
"By coming together as a state, we have the opportunity to support progress
and keep Colorado in a leading position of health in our nation," added
Stewart.
To learn more about LiveWell Colorado or the campaign, visit
http://www.livewellcolorado.org.
About LiveWell Colorado
LiveWell Colorado aims to provide every Coloradoan with access to healthy
foods and opportunities for physical activity in the places they live,
work, learn and play. This non-profit organization will realize its vision
by elevating health and wellness awareness, augmenting funding for the most
promising obesity reduction strategies and leveraging investments and
resources. With the launch of Colorado's strategic plan, Fostering Healthy
People and Places: The Power of All of Us, LiveWell Colorado and its board
of directors will implement an aggressive, coordinated statewide
intervention to address the human and economic tolls of overweight and
obesity and improve the health and well being of all Coloradoans. For more
information about LiveWell Colorado, visit www.livewellcolorado.org.