Children Around the Globe Walk Toward a Lifetime of Heal...( International Walk to Sch...),Health

International Walk to School Day is October 3, 2007

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Sept. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, October 3, schoolchildren from all 50 states will join thousands across the world who are making the commitment to lead healthier lifestyles by walking or bicycling to school on International Walk to School Day.

"We're seeing encouraging evidence that more and more schools are holding Walk to School Day events as catalysts to getting kids up and active all year long," said Lauren Marchetti, director of the National Center for Safe Routes to School.

Walking and bicycling to school can benefit children in a variety of ways. A number of parents and teachers have commented that children arrive more alert and ready for the day when they walk to school. Public health officials have pointed to physical activity and safe places to walk and bicycle as factors in curbing the obesity epidemic among America's youth.

In addition to physical activity, Walk to School programs emphasize the importance of other issues such as pedestrian safety, traffic congestion surrounding schools and concern for the environment.

"It is an energizing event, reminding everyone of the simple joy of walking to school, the health benefits of regular daily activity and the need for safe places to walk and bike. The idea is to walk to school together with a purpose - to promote health, safety, physical activity, a sense of community and concern for the environment," added Marchetti.

The 2007 event marks the 11th International Walk to School Day. The event began in the U.S. with one school in Chicago in 1997 and has grown to more than 5,000 schools in the U.S. Worldwide, this year an estimated 4 million families and community leaders will participate in 42 countries.

Many Walk to School events are conducted as part of Safe Routes to School programs - sustained, community efforts to improve the health and well-being of children b
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