Thousands of children statewide are marching toward better health as NYSUT expands its 24/7 Let's Go! healthy lifestyles program.

Woodhull Elementary School in the William Floyd district on Long Island marched for health for the second year in a row at its "Healthy Lifestyle" parade, and NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi joined them for the festivities. With the entire school participating, students wore team and activity uniforms, and carried flags, posters and signs to feature their favorite healthy foods and activities.

Teresa Carrozzo, a physical education teacher and one of the organizers, said the statewide union is crucial to the success of the program in her building.

• Related article: 24-7 Let's Go! for healthy students

"On behalf of the Woodhull learning community, I thank NYSUT for providing the 24/7 Let's Go! program and uniting us on a healthy journey," she said. Carrozzo is a member of the William Floyd United Teachers, led by President Karen D'Esposito.

The 24/7 Let's Go! program was developed by NYSUT's Health Care Professionals Council to help teachers, school nurses and other health care professionals start to address this national epidemic: Far too many children routinely make poor choices in their eating habits and daily activities.

Student Christine Cobb summed it up: "It is about eating right and staying fit. You should always eat fruits and vegetables and not so much junk food ... Go outside with your friends or join a sport. Anything that's healthy and good for your body, you should do it."

Since NYSUT first offered 24/7 Let's Go! in 2005, it has distributed more than 100,000 kits.

"As educators and health care professionals, we have a responsibility to help children build healthier minds and bodies," said Anne Goldman, who chairs the Health Care Professionals Council. "The 24/7 Let's Go! program is one way to make that happen." Goldman is a registered professional nurse in the United Federation of Teachers in New York City and a member of the NYSUT Board of Directors.

"Tragically, it's no secret that childhood obesity has become epidemic," said NYSUT Vice President Kathleen Donahue. "This is a serious problem that could lead to adult obesity and other health problems, including coronary disease, respiratory problems, diabetes and depression."

Donahue said 24/7 Let's Go! puts the statewide union at the forefront, working for children who need better nutrition and more exercise.

For four years, NYSUT has distributed the program's wellness kits to classroom teachers, health care providers and others across the state. These professionals distribute them to individual children.

The kits include information on two categories — exercise and nutrition — and calendars to record progress.

Students strive to do seven healthy things in either category, seven days a week, to build healthy lifestyles. Stickers are used for motivation and to track progress. Included in the kits are pamphlets to explain the program for providers and parents.

Fun suggestions for kids include everything from eating a banana to holding a neighborhood Olympics. The two-pronged goal is to get kids off the couch and into action, and to avoid junk food in favor of fruits and vegetables.

A recent study from Baylor College of Medicine discovered too much television time increases the obesity risk in young children, and that students who spend hours each day at a computer are likely to have more body fat.

The study recommended limiting young children to no more than two hours of television a day.

Last year the American Cancer Society endorsed 24/7 Let's Go! The ACS says obesity increases the risk of certain types of cancer and that the proportion of children ages 6 to 19 who are overweight has tripled during the past three decades.

It's a natural partnership; like the NYSUT program, the cancer society encourages educators and parents to get kids active, eating right and on the road to a healthier lifestyle.

That philosophy becomes even more important in September, when new regulations on student physicals take effect, including the tracking of student Body Mass Index by the state Health Department.

- Denise Clapham

Get your kits!

Kits are free to NYSUT members and can be ordered by sending an e-mail to orders@nysutmail.org. Be sure to include a mailing address and specify how many sets you will need for distribution. More information about this program can be found online at locals.nysut.org/247.