Governor David A. Paterson and First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson today announced the release of the Healthy Kids, Healthy New York After-School Initiative guidelines and toolkit that will help fight childhood obesity in New York’s schools by providing after-school programs with model guidelines. The guidelines are aimed at helping New York’s children acquire healthy habits by incorporating nutritional food options into diets, increasing physical activity, and limiting the amount of time spent in front of a television on a daily basis.

“Like the rest of the country, New York State is experiencing an epidemic of childhood obesity with one in four children in our State either overweight or obese,” said Governor Paterson. “Because so many children spend time in after-school programs, this is an ideal place to introduce improved nutrition and increased physical activity. These guidelines seek to improve the health and development of thousands of New York’s children so their futures can be brighter.”

More information about the guidelines and toolkit, as well as the Governor’s Recognition Program can be found on the DOH web site (www.nyhealth.gov) and NYSHEPA’s website (www.nyshepa.org).