To Be Fit half pages reached 150,000 subscribers and a readership of about 400,000 people in five counties. Both the supplement and half pages featured contests and fun ways for kids to increase their physical activity, with drawings for prizes for those who participated. The cost of the project was only partly covered by the grant with NIE covering the major part of the cost. Next year the community is expected to continue the project with local funding only. The year 2000 supplements have a projected publication date of mid-May.
Obesity is a major health problem in the United States and there is no effective cure or treatment.
Prevention of obesity is the only solution available at the present time. Adults and teenagers have already formed their physical activity and eating habits. It is difficult to change habits. Younger children still have a chance to form good habits. Today children average around 23 hours a week of television watching.