Minister Barr: Active Kids challenge success sparks focus on healthier workplaces
- Written by ACT Government
Released 18/09/2015
Joint Media Release: Chief Minister Andrew Barr MLA and Shane Rattenbury MLA
Today I joined Minister Rattenbury to celebrate the end of another successful Active Kids Challenge, which saw over 20,000 children participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day for eight weeks.
The Active Kids Challenge is now in its 9th year, and is a wonderful initiative which teaches primary school aged children about the importance of being active.
Teaching kids good habits at school is a priority of the ACT Government, as research shows that children who are physically active perform better in the classroom. This is why we are proud to be a key funding partner of the Physical Activity Foundation, who run the Active Kids Challenge.
The ACT Government is also pleased to announce that this year we will be partnering with the Physical Activity Foundation to present the Active Workplace Challenge 10 Minute Turn Around.
The Active Workplace Challenge, similar to the Active Kids Challenge, encourages participating employees to meet the minimum recommended level of physical activity for adults, which is 30 minutes most days, or 150 minutes in total throughout the week.
Minister for Sport and Recreation Shane Rattenbury said with almost two thirds of ACT adults considered overweight and one in four considered obese, programs like the Active Workplace Challenge can have far reaching benefits.
“Workplaces play an important role in shaping the lifestyle of adults, most of whom spend about half of their waking hours at work. Evidence shows that healthier workplaces enjoy the benefits of higher productivity, lower absenteeism and better staff morale,” Minister Rattenbury said.
“By partnering with the Physical Activity Foundation to deliver the Active Workplace Challenge, the ACT Government is leading by example to improve the health and active culture of government workplaces and facilities, to reduce the risk of lifestyle related diseases.
“A healthy life is a happy life, and both the Chief Minister and I encourage workplaces around the ACT to take part in this fun, friendly and free eight week challenge which will encourage employees to get away from their desks for at least 10 minutes, three times a day.”
- Statement ends -
Section: Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
