Boy Scouts of America Recognizes National Family and Children's Health Month.

Nation's Leading Youth Organization Encourages Ongoing Healthy Lifestyle

IRVING, Texas -- A third of U.S. children and teens, about 25 million kids, as well as approximately two-thirds of adults, about 136 million people, are either overweight or on the brink of becoming so, the highest number ever recorded, according to a recent government survey.1 Also, many youth are unable to rely on schools to provide activity for them as in the past. According to the American Journal of Public Health, physical education teachers provided children with only three minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per class.

Continuing its Good Turn for America pledge of healthy living during October's National Family and Children's Health Month, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), the nation's leading youth service organization, is helping to combat these rising numbers through programs that encourage exercise and healthy living Co starting in the home and continuing through traditional after-school activities such as Scouting. The United States Department of Agriculture is also trying to decrease the number of overweight youth by recommending that children spend at least 60 minutes a day doing some variation of physical activity.

From their earliest engagement in Scouting through the highest ranking Eagle Scout, youth are encouraged to keep their bodies and minds fit and "to keep myself physically strong," as stated in the Scout Oath and Law. Scouts focus on good nutrition and conditioning at all levels, and all Eagle Scouts are required to earn the Personal Fitness merit badge.

"The state of American fitness continues to decline for both youth and adults," said Willie Iles Jr., director of Development and Strategic Initiatives, BSA. "BSA has always encouraged youth to maintain a healthy level of fitness and activity through unit activities such as sports, hiking, and healthy eating, and merit badge programs. We hope to continue this and expand that focus to include all members of Scouting families during this important month."

Throughout National Family and Children's Health Month, BSA units across the country will emphasize programs featuring physical activity and healthy living. For example, the Greater Pittsburgh Council in Pennsylvania announced a partnership with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) called "Scouting for Healthy Habits . . . Healthy Living." The collaboration will encourage Scouts and their families to focus on healthy habits such as exercise and nutrition. The Council is aiding in a new UPMC Health Plan Fitness Trail that will be built at Heritage Scout Reservation, and an awareness program will be presented to more than 48,000 young people in Scouting programs in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Each month, Boy Scout councils across the United States serve Americans through the Good Turn for America initiative, which encourages Scouts to "Do a Good Turn Daily" through a variety of community service projects. Good Turn for America is a collaboration with The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, and thousands of other community organizations that focuses the power of volunteerism on important community issues such as hunger, shelter, and health. Started in 2004, Good Turn for America has generated more than 3.8 million hours of service to date.

Serving over 4.5 million young people between 7 and 20 years of age with more than 300 councils throughout the United States and its territories, the Boy Scouts of America is the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. For more information on the BSA, please visit www.scouting.org.

1 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Centers For Disease Control & Prevention, 2003-2004