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About the Program "Healthy Steps to Albany: First Lady's Challenge" is a health and wellness awareness campaign created by First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson. The contest challenges New York State middle school students to increase their physical activity and consumption of healthy foods. The six-week fitness challenge begins on March 1st 2010.
Click to view a video of the 2008 "Healthy Steps to Albany" program
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Students keep a day log of the exercise they get and the healthy foods they eat. Every minute of activity is converted into steps that go towards the classrooms virtual trip to Albany. Students track their virtual trip to Albany using the Healthy Steps Map Poster or electronic application. Each footprint is equal to 2,000 steps.
Each classroom is a team, and the team from the 6th, 7th and 8th grade that earns the most steps is declared the winner. The winning classrooms get to meet the First Lady and the Governor at a healthy luncheon and visit a local farm to learn about whole foods and agriculture.
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This program aims to serve over 300,000 students and their families by sharing obesity prevention information on healthy eating and exercise. “Students who eat well, will learn and live well too” says First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson. “This challenge will encourage kids to re-evaluate their food choices and exercise programs in order to come up with their own ways to make healthier life choices.”
With the cooperation of the Department of Health, Empire State Development, Office of General Service, State Education Department, the Department of Agriculture and Markets, and the Office for Technology, this program provides health and wellness information and tools.
This website serves as a forum to connect individuals, schools, and communities to local health and wellness organizations within their home towns.Good nutrition starts at home, and this program encourages families and community organizations to get involved. We must work together to provide resources to the schools and students so that we can create lasting change in our communities.
  
Pictures from the 2009 Healthy Steps Challenge.
  
Pictures from the 2008 "Healthy Steps to Albany" Program
Exercising regularly improves your physical, emotional, and psychological health. The purpose of the Healthy Steps program is to educate students in New York about the importance of exercise and healthy eating.
Do the Math
Many studies have shown that kids need at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day to ensure good health. We use this minimum recommendation as the basis for this challenge's exercise goal.
How many steps would a classroom of 25 students walk during a 6-week time period?
Well, we know that students are expected to get 30 minutes of exercise a day, 60 minutes of walking equals 6,000 steps, there are 25 students in each class, and 6 weeks equals 42 days.
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The answer: 3,150,000 steps
Students are asked to convert minutes of exercise into steps. Check out the activity conversion page for information about how many steps your favorite activity gets you.
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Community Effort
Changing views about healthy eating and exercise will not happen in just six weeks. Much like it has taken years to change views about smoking, it will take time to reshape opinions about healthy living.
To help promote change in communities throughout the State, organizations, schools, and community members can participate in the program by helping out a school in their community. |
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