208.387.6817

866.482.2252

Color Me Healthy partners with Idaho Health Districts

July 2009

In the United States, the prevalence of overweight children ages 2 to 5 has increased from 7 percent in 1992, to 16.4 percent in 2006. Addressing the epidemic of overweight and obese children is a national priority. Children need to learn healthy behaviors at a young age. Color Me Healthy is a nutrition program developed for preschool age children in childcare settings. Since 2007, the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation has provided Color Me Healthy to Head Start programs and childcare centers throughout Idaho.

For the 2009 – 2010 school year, the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health is partnering with Nutrition and Physical Activity Coordinators in six Idaho Health Districts The coordinators will provide Color Me Healthy to more Head Start programs and childcare centers in their district and will take an active role implementing the Color Me Healthy curriculum in the classrooms. Color Me Healthy is a nutrition and physical activity program for preschool age children. During the 2008 -2009 school year, the Color Me Healthy program reached 1,800 preschool children throughout Idaho. The new partnership with the Health Districts will allow the program to expand and reach additional children in Idaho.

Find more information about the Color Me Healthy program.