Chicago Runners
This project's parent organization is Chicago Run
It operates in United States
It uses Athletics
More about Chicago Runners
Childhood obesity is a public health epidemic with high medical, psychological, and societal costs. According to a recent medical report, the current generation of children may have shorter life expectancies than their parents due to the rapid rise in childhood obesity. One cause for the obesity epidemic is decreased physical activity. Despite the well-documented benefits of physical activity, less than half of children in the United States get enough exercise every day. Approximately 79% of elementary school students have gym only once per week.
School-based physical activity programs like CR are effective at targeting a variety of health behaviors and are particularly beneficial in the Chicagoland area, where childhood obesity rates exceed national and statewide averages. CR believes that physical activity is a fundamental strategy to promote the quality of life and is essential to maximize children's educational experience and achievement. The "Chicago Runners" program is a school-based physical activity program that works with teachers and administrators to instill the daily habit of running for children of all fitness levels and physical abilities.
CR believes that its programs offer an opportunity for children to begin incorporating exercise into their daily lives and improving their overall physical and mental stamina.