Tufts’ ChildObesity180 Program and New Balance Team Up

ChildObesity180 at Tufts University, an organization that works towards finding solutions to the childhood obesity epidemic, the New Balance Foundation, and the 100 Mile Club have have teamed up for a new collaboration focused on “increasing quality physical activity for children.”

The New Balance Foundation has pledged $2.55 million in support of the program.

The collaboration is centered upon the foundation’s nationwide campaign, called the New Balance Foundation Billion Mile Race, which will launch this spring and works to boost physical activity in elementary schools. The goal is to have students collectively reach 1 billion miles through various school-based walking and running clubs.

“We are tremendously grateful for the generous support from the New Balance Foundation, and very excited about this collaboration and nationwide initiative,” said Christina D. Economos, PhD, associate professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, in a statement. “The New Balance Foundation and 100 Mile Club have been tremendous sponsors for ChildObesity180 and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to work with them on this new program. The causes of obesity are complex and interconnected; increasing activity levels is one step we can take to help solve this problem. We have high hopes for this initiative.”

According to ChildhoodObesity180, since 1980, obesity rates of 2-to 5-year-olds has doubled, in 6-to 11-year-olds the rate has quadrupled, and in 12-to 19-year-olds it’s tripled. Plus, only 42 percent of children in the U.S. between the ages of 6 to 11 actually participate in the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day. It’s because of stats like these that the New Balance Foundation pledged its support. It’s also why a number of other groups, including Hood Fit and BOKS were created in the Boston area to get kids moving.

To pre-register visit billionmilerace.org.