A healthy lifestyle for kids can be as easy as counting to 5. Let’s Move Pittsburgh, a program of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, has launched the 5-2-1-0 movement that reinforces healthy lifestyle choices for kids in the Pittsburgh region.
“For Let’s Move Pittsburgh, [5-2-1-0] was a well matched fit for us to adopt,” says Mary Kathryn Poole, Let’s Move Pittsburgh director of programming and operations.
A nationally recognized physical activity and healthy eating program for kids up to age 18, the program was started out of The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center in 2007 and is now implemented in cities across the country.
5-2-1-0 promotes four key goals to help kids lead a healthy, active lifestyle based on research about effective behavior for healthy children to curb and reduce childhood obesity, explains Poole.
Kids should aim to have: 5 or more servings of fruit and vegetables each day and 2 hours or less of screen time per day. Also, kids should have 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and 0 sugary beverages and more water.
Let’s Move Pittsburgh decided to adopt the message after hearing about the program’s effectiveness.
“It’s been very successful in the state of Maine,” says Poole. “Through this 5-2-1-0 messaging and supporting programs, Let’s Go has seen improved vegetable consumption among kids, they’ve seen decreased consumption of sugary foods and beverages, and they’ve also seen a significant increase in awareness of the 5-2-1-0 message.”
Let’s Move Pittsburgh will partner with schools, early childcare centers, healthcare institutions and parents and community organizations to create change for families and children where they spend their time.
“The more we can share the message, the more we can reach audiences and families,” explains Poole.
Let’s Move Pittsburgh will also be launching a media campaign on TV, radio and additional means to spread the 5-2-1-0 message and raise awareness about the program.
Modeled after first lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign, Let’s Move Pittsburgh was founded in 2011 to focus on addressing childhood obesity prevention in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Let’s Move Pittsburgh is a program of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. For more information, visit www.letsmovepittsburgh.org.
