Media Contact:
Allison Kenty
207-283-7233
allison.kenty@mainehealth.org
SANFORD, Maine – 230 early care & education programs, schools, out-of-school programs, school cafeterias, and health care practices in York County have been recognized by Let’s Go! for their commitment to improving children’s health. Let’s Go!, a nationally-recognized childhood obesity prevention program, has honored 580 sites across Maine and New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington Valley for creating environments that support healthy lifestyle choices. Recognition is based on implementation of the program’s five evidence-based strategies to increase healthy eating and active living.
All partnered sites are committed to making it easier for children to eat well and be active. Their efforts include limiting or eliminating sugary drinks and promoting water as the drink of choice, prohibiting the use of food as a reward, and limiting unhealthy choices during snacks and celebrations, focusing on alternatives. Additionally, they work to provide opportunities for physical activity outside of recess on a daily basis.
“Let’s Go! is proud of all of our partnered sites across Maine to promote healthy changes in the places where children and families live, learn, work, and play,” said Tory Rogers, MD, senior director of Let’s Go!. “Even with the difficulties presented during the pandemic, these sites stepped up and continued to make healthier choices a priority. It is this hard work that is crucial to the success of this program.”
The Let’s Go! recognition program identifies and celebrates schools, out-of-school programs, early care and education programs, school cafeterias and health care practices for their role in improving the health of all children. The program focuses on sustainable change.
Let’s Go! partners with 1,648 sites across 293 towns. A listing of all recognized sites can be found at https://sites.letsgo.org/
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About Let’s Go!
Let’s Go! is a nationally recognized childhood obesity prevention program that reaches children and families where they live, learn, work and play. Let’s Go! is committed to promoting policy and environmental changes at early care and education programs, schools, out-of-school programs, health care practices, and workplaces. The program’s multi-setting approach, daily 5-2-1-0 message (five or more fruits and vegetables, two hours or less of screen time, one hour or more of physical activity and zero sugary drinks) and 10 evidence-based strategies are used to affect change across the state of Maine. Strong leadership from The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center and collaboration across health systems and community health coalitions contribute to the program’s success. Learn more.
About Southern Maine Health Care
Southern Maine Health Care (SMHC) is a national award-winning non-profit health care organization in York County Maine. SMHC includes Biddeford Medical Center, a full service, acute care medical center and Sanford Medical Center with York County’s only inpatient behavioral health unit. Emergency care, surgical services and diagnostic and therapy services are also available at both Medical Centers. SMHC offers primary care and multi-specialty physician services, diagnostic and therapy services and Walk-In Care centers. SMHC is Joint Commission accredited and has been recognized for quality excellence by numerous outside organizations. SMHC is part of the MaineHealth system, a growing family of health care services in northern New England with the vision of ‘Working together to make our communities the healthiest in America.' To learn more, visit www.smhc.org.