One-Week Program Designed to Educate African-American Girls About Obesity
Following the highly successful 2005 Healthy BET Fitness Challenge, a vigorous
12-week fitness program that encouraged African-American women to adopt healthier
lifestyles; the BET Foundation in partnership with BET kicks off the next phase
of its fitness initiatives -- "Summer Camp For Girls." The special
summer camp program hopes to raise awareness of obesity and the related health
issues that impact African-American girls in an exclusive one-week program at
Camp Shane located in Ferndale, New York.
The "Summer Camp For Girls" takes place August 21 - 27, and is set
specifically for Camp Shane because of its nearly 40 years of experience in
uniquely tailored programs for weight loss and health education. The BET Foundation
created this special camp as an innovative weight reduction and nutrition-based
program for African-American girls ages 10 - 12 from low to moderate-income
families. The purpose is to provide young girls with the vital information and
tools necessary to aid them in making healthy lifestyle choices, and to serve
as a "health" advocate for their family and peers. The camp curriculum
will provide simple nutrition strategies; instill positive leadership and decision-making
skills; and provide a fun-filled, memorable camp experience.
Campers will be selected based on essays their parent/guardian submit expressing
why they should participate in the one-week fitness program and how the experience
will influence a healthier lifestyle. The deadline for essay submission is July
20, and both a parent/guardian and doctor's approval are required for participation.
Interested parents/guardians can log onto http://www.bet.com/Health/AHealthyBET
for more information.
Lending her expertise and assistance during the one-week camp program is renowned
Hollywood fitness expert and Healthy BET spokesperson Jeanette Jenkins. Jenkins
will be on hand to assist the girls in identifying unhealthy eating habits and
demonstrating fun and easy exercises for them to participate in. "I'm excited
to be a part of a program specifically targeted to educating young African-American
girls about the dangers of obesity-related problems in a fun way," said
Jenkins. "With the right information and motivation, I believe they will
be able to achieve a healthier lifestyle and set realistic weight loss goals."
The BET Foundation remains steadfast in raising public awareness about the
prevalence of obesity and associated health problems among African Americans.
In partnership with General Mills brands Honey Nut CheeriosŪ and Chex CerealsŪ,
the BET Foundation leverages a variety of components such as public service
announcements, seminars, a dedicated toll-free hotline and website, brochures,
and a national weight-loss competition to educate the public on healthy living.
"The Summer Camp For Girls program is just one of the BET Foundation's
grassroots-based efforts dedicated to educating the African-American community
on the devastating effects of obesity," stated Lynda Dorman, executive
director of the BET Foundation. "We hope that through these various efforts,
we can help people achieve healthy lifestyles and motivate communities to be
open to positive change."
ABOUT BET FOUNDATION
The BET Foundation is a non-profit organization created to raise public awareness
to the numerous health-related challenges within African-American communities.
Established in 2003, the Foundation takes a pioneering step in addressing one
of the leading behavioral-attributed health concerns among African-American
women and families, obesity-related health concerns. Through specifically-tailored
initiatives and targeted campaigns, the BET Foundation aims to insure that African
Americans live longer and healthier lives. The BET Foundation includes public
service announcements (PSAs); targeted programming segments; seminars and health
forums; health brochure materials; a dedicated toll-free hotline and website;
and a nationwide Healthy BET Fitness Challenge contest to provide the tools
and knowledge necessary for communities to develop long lasting healthy lifestyle
habits. For more information, please visit http://www.ahealthybet.com.
ABOUT GENERAL MILLS
General Mills, with annual net sales of $10.8 billion, is a leading global
manufacturer and marketer of consumer food products. Its global brand portfolio
includes Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Haagen-Dazs, Old El Paso and
more. It also has more than 100 U.S. consumer brands, more than 30 of which
generate annual retail sales in excess of $100 million. General Mills is also
a leading supplier of baking and other food products to foodservice and commercial
baking industries.
ABOUT JEANETTE JENKINS / THE HOLLYWOOD TRAINER
Jeanette Jenkins is one of the country's leading fitness experts. Her passion
for fitness began as a teenager and her dedication has never wavered. She is
the president of a successful company, The Hollywood Trainer, LLC, which produces
and distributes home fitness videos. She has motivated and inspired thousands
of people across country to improve the quality of their lives through health
and fitness. She has appeared on Extra, Good Day Live, Best Damn Sports Show
... Period, VH1, The Food Network, and been featured in the L.A. Times, Self,
Fitness, People, Us Weekly, In-Style, Women's Health and Fitness, etc. For more
information about Jeanette Jenkins visit http://www.thehollywoodtrainer.com.
