Shape Up RI and TD Bank will present fifth-grade students from Hampden Meadows School in Barrington with an award for their first-place performance in the latest kids competition.
Shape Up RI will make an appearance at the Barrington public school on Friday, May 6 at 2:30PM.
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Students from the school will be recognized for their participation in Shape Up Kids, a friendly pedometer-based walking competition for students throughout Rhode Island. The program took place March 21 through May 1. During the six weeks, students tracked their number of steps and fruit/vegetable consumption.
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Two successful pilot programs, proven by a Brown University study, preceded Shape Up Kids. In September 2009, the first pilot incorporated three fifth-grade classes in Providence, Central Falls, and Barrington. The interactive six-week competition encouraged students and their families toward healthier fitness and eating habits. The second pilot, Shape Up RI Kids, engaged 60 Central Falls students in Spring 2010 and included a comprehensive food and nutrition education element.
In addition to Hampden Meadows School, six other schools participated in Shape Up Kids [Saint Margaret’s School in East Providence; Winsor Hill School in Johnston; Charles Fortes School in Providence; Pleasant View School in Providence; Highlander Charter School in Providence; and Robert L. Bailey School in Providence]. The competition was sponsored by Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island [NHPRI], TD Bank, and General Mills. Hampden Meadows School is one of the schools directly supported by a donation from TD Bank.
“Through our initiatives for kids, we hope to help our children establish healthy habits at a young age that will stay with them for a lifetime,” said Rajiv Kumar, Chairman and Founder of Shape Up RI. “We applaud the 375 students who worked hard and motivated their classmates in our fun, six-week Shape Up Kids competition.”
The award winning wellness organization, which has received generous support from major sponsor Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island, also recently completed its wellness challenge for adults 16 and older.
Shape Up RI is a statewide exercise and weight loss challenge that encourages Rhode Islanders to pursue healthy lifestyles through increased physical activity and better nutrition.
For more information on Shape Up RI and its kids program, please visit www.shapeupri.org or call (401) 421-0608.