• Children in North Carolina are four times more likely to be overweight than youth nationally (North Carolina Medical Journal, 58: 362-7)
• Young people exhibit risk factors for heart disease as early as third grade (Journal of Pediatrics, 128(6): 797-805)
• Nine million American children ages 6 to 19 are overweight (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov)

The Active Steps Youth Program is an innovative program aimed at school age children who are at risk for developing health problems due to a lack of physical activity. The program utilizes electronic pedometers to help students monitor their physical activity levels and encourages at-risk students to increase their physical activity.

The program also focuses on creating lifelong habits of physical fitness, both in and out of school. The program was developed in collaboration with the Department of Public Instruction.

Be Active North Carolina conducted a focus group of physical education teachers and curriculum experts who shared ideas and strategies for the program. The Active Steps Youth program is perfect for:

• Physical education classes
  
• Recreation and parks programs
  
• YMCAs/YWCAs, Boys/Girls Clubs
  
• Scouting programs
  
• After school programs

Anywhere school age children can be active!

The Active Steps Youth Program is administered by physical education teachers and youth program organizers and features a kit that includes :

• 30 pedometers in storage cases
  
• A backpack
  
• Curriculum resource guides
  
• Posters
  
• Log cards
  
• Stickers
  
• Incentives
  
• A walking music CD

The Active Steps Youth Program can be used year after year and in multiple groups/classes. For example, over 200 students can use one kit each day, and even more if used in after-school programs. The program also requires little or no further investment beyond the initial cost of $900 per kit.