Casey gets the fitness bug

By Callan Date
CASEY community groups are fighting the increasing weight problems in children by signing up 11,000 youngsters to a new healthy living program.
Local schools, kindergartens and childcare centres are at the heart of the new Kids Go For Your Life initiative that rewards children for their commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
The City of Casey’s Narre Warren childcare complex was one of the first centres to sign up to the program.
They were rewarded for their efforts by being presented with their membership certificate in a special ceremony yesterday (Wednesday).
The program is aimed at reducing childhood obesity levels as well as promoting healthy eating and physical activity in Casey youth. Research shows about 30 per cent of Victorian children are above a healthy weight range or obese.
Children participating in the program are committed to a range of healthy lifestyle choices, including drinking more water, eating more fruit and vegetables, being more active and spending less time watching television.
Program officials have been delighted with the response in the Casey area and as a result will roll out the program across several cities throughout the state.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan said he was happy children in the City of Casey would benefit from the program.
“We’re very excited that so many children got involved in the program and, more importantly, that the City of Casey, as the first local government area to participate, really championed this program and now children in schools and childcare services across the state can benefit, too,” he said.
Program manager Suzi Honisett said the initial results in Casey had been encouraging, with 25 per cent of child facilities in the area joining the program.
“The program has been trialed in Casey for the last two months and we are very excited with the results,” Ms Honisett said.
Casey mayor Kevin Bradford said it was essential children developed good eating and lifestyle habits from an early age and the program would help youngsters do just that.