In partnership with Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, BCBSM launched the #MIKidsCan Contest, asking kids ages 7 – 14 to share their favorite way to be active. There are two ways to take part in this contest: create a two-minute video or submit a photo with short essay answering “What’s your favorite way to get moving and be active?”
The video contest winner gets an assembly at their school or a meet and greet at their organization with Stafford. The essay/photo contest winner gets tickets to the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving game and autographed Detroit Lions gear.
Andrew Hetzel, BCBSM vice president of corporate communications, said: “Blue Cross has long been committed to improving the health of children in Michigan, and now we’re asking children to join us in this important cause.”
“By asking kids to share the ways they are active with others, we hope to inspire more Michigan children to have fun while getting exercise every day. Our goal is to get kids excited about their health and to motivate them to lead active lifestyles by understanding exercise can be fun. The combination of regular exercise and healthy eating can set our kids up for a lifetime of success and fewer serious health concerns as they grow into adulthood,” said Hetzel.
Submissions are being accepted now through Oct. 29. After all the submissions are in, three video semifinalists and three photo/essay semifinalists will be notified in November and their submissions will be posted online for a two-week, public voting period.
Guidelines for #MIKidsCan contest are easy:
■ All submissions for the contest should answer the question: “What’s your favorite way to get moving and be active?”
■ A video less than two-minutes long made on a Smartphone, iPod, iPad, Flip video or webcam
■ All photos must include a 200-300 word essay
■ Most importantly, have fun – show us how you enjoy being active and healthy!
The kid video and essay/photo contest is one part of the larger effort to help raise awareness about childhood health.
As Michigan continues to confront the health challenge of having one in three of its young people considered statistically overweight, Blue Cross is launching a series of high-profile events and partnership activations to get people engaged in sharing ideas about how to improve the health of Michigan’s kids.
The new campaign – called #MIKidsCan – is focused on encouraging kids to adopt healthy habits early in life that are more likely to be carried into adulthood. This is another demonstration of BCBSM’s commitment to Michigan’s youth, complementing BCBSM’s support of the Building Healthy Communities program. Since 2005, BCBSM has invested more than $6 million in childhood obesity prevention initiatives, like Building Healthy Communities, to provide school-based programs to improve the health habits of Michigan kids.
The #MIKids Contest supports BCBSM’s ongoing commitment to children’s health and its #MIKidsCan campaign. Childhood obesity is an epidemic, impacting a third of Michigan’s children. Less than 40 percent of children in the state get the 60 minutes of physical activity a day recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“The #MIKidsCan campaign integrates major events and partnerships with the power of social media to get Michigan talking about kids’ health. We have significant dollars invested in programs, and powerful partners at the table. But we can’t succeed without people getting involved – in small but meaningful ways – to spotlight and celebrate how our kids can adopt the building blocks to a healthy life. That’s what MIKidsCan is all about,” said Hetzel.
The Facts on Childhood Health
Childhood obesity is an epidemic, impacting millions of U.S. children annually, including a third of Michigan children. Michigan has the 18th highest childhood obesity rate in the country. Obesity-related chronic health conditions account for nearly $200 billion in annual health expenditures in the United States.
Research from the American Psychological Association and the Obesity Society confirms once healthy habits are established early in life, they are difficult to change. This makes it critical for kids to start building healthy habits while they are young – like choosing nutritious foods and getting at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
The Centers for Disease Control finds childhood obesity is at the core of many physical complications experienced by adults, such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, asthma and bone and joint problems. Obese children are more likely to suffer from depression, stress, anxiety and poor self-esteem.
Check out the contest and enter to win! For more information on the #MIKidsCan Contest and BCBSM’s ongoing efforts to help improve childhood health, visit AHealthierMichigan.org/mikidscan and follow #MIKidsCan on Twitter.
Additional resources:
YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEdAQg3QoLE&feature=youtu.be
Images from Make the Play kid video contest 2013: https://www.flickr.com/photos/healthiermi/sets/72157633641578146/
Images from Dream Big kids’ event: https://www.flickr.com/photos/healthiermi/sets/72157639978917373/
Red Wings Assembly: https://www.flickr.com/photos/healthiermi/sets/72157637310508693/