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Navy Launches FitFactor Program
Millington, TN. -- In a proactive effort to help Navy youth discover the benefits of healthy lifestyles and combat obesity, Navy Child and Youth Programs (CYP) in November launched FitFactor.
FitFactor is a Web-based health and fitness initiative that encourages physical activity and increases awareness of proper nutrition for family members ages 6-18. To date, more than 1,700 Navy youth have enrolled in the program.
"The FitFactor program is designed to stimulate interest and awareness in physical activity, and encourages youth to get up, get out and get fit!" said Larrie Rodriguez, CYP training and communications manager, Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC). "It's a Web and incentive-based program with more than 200 activities that are geared toward individuals, league sports, instructional classes and school activities."
FitFactor encourages youth to be physically active for at least 60 minutes each day and offers five levels for youth to complete as they participate in daily physical activity: energy, strength, agility, adventure and endurance. Incentives such as T-shirts, dog tags and pedometers are awarded to participants as they log in points and accomplish each new level.
"The goal is to help our young people combat obesity in a fun and interesting way," said Rodriguez. "FitFactor motivates them to make healthy eating and lifestyle choices, include friends and family in fun physical activities, limit their television and computer time, and adopt healthy, lifelong, active routines."
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17 percent of U.S. youngsters are obese and millions more are overweight. Obesity can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, sleep problems and other disorders. Overweight adolescents often become obese adults.
"By becoming involved with the FitFactor program, youth who are not already physically active can set active goals for themselves, increase their self-esteem and get on a healthy lifestyle path that will hopefully be continued throughout their adult years," said Rodriguez.
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