Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington Receives $22,500 from Amerigroup Washington to Launch New Fitness Challenge for Spokane Youth
SEATTLE – February 1, 2017 – According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity has tripled since 1980 with nearly one in every three children being overweight or obese. This is why Amerigroup Washington has joined Boys & Girls Club of Washington (BGCWA) as a Healthy Lifestyles Partner thanks to a $22,500 donation that will help combat childhood obesity in Washington State. Amerigroup is launching this Fitness Challenge at 15 Boys & Girls Club locations across Washington State.
The Amerigroup Fitness Challenge will commence in February and run for a total of eight weeks. Participating Clubs will select Daily Challenges, such as jump rope or running. New activities are introduced to Club members, and performance scores are collected throughout the eight- week challenge.
Children from low-income and low-education households are three-times more likely to suffer from obesity, which is a leading risk factor for diabetes, heart disease and many cancers. America’s Health Rankings®, an annual comprehensive assessment of the nation’s health on a state-by-state basis ranked Washington 14th in the country, with nearly 36 percent of people estimated to be obese.
Serving more than 79,000 Washington youth, the BGCWA exist to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. The clubs provide a safe place to learn and experience life enhancing programs and character development.
“We are so pleased to receive support from Amerigroup,” said Matt Watrous, executive director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington. “We appreciate the support in our efforts to prevent youth obesity of our Club members. This funding will provide a safe environment to educate our members about the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and physical activity.”
About Amerigroup Washington
Amerigroup Washington helps improve health care access and quality for approximately 140,000 Washington citizens by developing innovative care management programs and services. Members are assured care that is not only accessible, but also accountable, comprehensive, integrated and patient-centered. Amerigroup Washington provides ongoing community relations and outreach to encourage members to become active participants in their health care. Through health education programs, members are empowered to choose and sustain a healthy lifestyle.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington exist to inspire & enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Professional staff and volunteers use a combination of locally developed programs and those developed and tested nationally by Boys & Girls Clubs of America in the following Program Impact Areas: Academic Success, Character & Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles Currently, 79,013 Washington State youth in grades K-12 are served through annual membership and over 45,000 youth through community outreach. There are programs currently offered at 150 separate locations, including Clubhouses, native lands, public housing, schools and community centers.