Healthy Kids Community Challenge is launching soon!

The Family Day long weekend marks the launch of the Healthy Kids Community Challenge in Waterloo Region and families and caregivers are invited to fun, free, local events throughout the region that promote active play!

In the coming weeks, each city and township in Waterloo Region will host an event, where families and caregivers can take part and find out more about the activities their community has planned for 2016 to keep kids physically active. Dates and locations are listed on the website at: www.regionofwaterloo.ca/healthykids

The Healthy Kids Community Challenge is a new initiative in Waterloo Region that promotes the health of children and their caregivers through physical activity and healthy eating. Waterloo Region is one of 45 communities across Ontario taking part in the Healthy Kids Community Challenge. The Healthy Kids Community Challenge is funded for three years by the province of Ontario and delivered as a partnership through all seven municipalities in Waterloo Region.

The Regional Municipality of Waterloo is receiving up to $1,125,000 from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to fund the Healthy Kids Community Challenge to support communities in promoting physical activity and healthy eating for children 12 years and under and their families.

Only 7% of children and youth engage in 60 minutes of physical activity at least 6 days per week. Children are active by nature so we just need to encourage that natural urge to 'Run. Jump. Play. Every Day.' The Healthy Kids Community Challenge is designed to foster that type of active play in our community!

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Media contact: Kirsten Keil-Mehlenbacher, Coordinator, Health Communications, 519-575-4400 ext. 2244 kkeil-mehlenbacher@regionofwaterloo.ca