What: New York Jets players Henry Anderson, Terrence Brooks, Juston Burris, and Doug Middleton along with the American Heart Association team up to battle childhood obesity at the wrap-up of the Jets Play 60 Challenge for sixth graders from Madison Jr. School and St. Vincent The Martyr School by engaging in physical activity while stressing the importance of staying active in order to live a healthy lifestyle.
The Jets Play 60 Challenge is a four-week long program created by the NFL and the American Heart Association that encourages students to participate in at least 30 minutes of physical activity in school and an additional 30 minutes of physical activity outside of school. Since 2008, the Jets have partnered with neighboring schools, St. Vincent The Martyr School, Madison Jr. School, Ridgedale Middle School and Harding School to allow students to track their exercise and progress in fun and engaging ways. One female and one male student from each school who successfully completed the Play 60 Challenge will be selected as top performers and receive special recognition from the Jets.
When: Friday, June 1, 2018, 12:30pm
Where: Atlantic Health Jets Training Center
1 Jets Drive, Florham Park, NJ 07932
Who: 30 sixth grade students and teachers from St. Vincent The Martyr School and Madison Jr. School
New York Jets players Henry Anderson, Terrence Brooks, Juston Burris, and Doug Middleton
Why: Today, about one in three American kids and teens is overweight or obese, nearly triple the rate in 1963. Among children today, obesity is causing a broad range of health problems that previously weren’t seen until adulthood. These include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and elevated blood cholesterol levels. There are also psychological effects: Obese children are more prone to low self-esteem, negative body image and depression. And excess weight at young ages has been linked to higher and earlier death rates in adulthood. Studies have proven that physical activity produces overall physical, psychological and social benefits. That’s why the National Football League and the American Heart Association have teamed up to create the NFL PLAY 60 Challenge, a program that inspires kids to get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day in school and at home. It also helps schools become places that encourage physically active lifestyles year-round. For more information on the NFL Play 60 program, visit www.heart.org/nflplay60challenge.
