What is Lighten Up America?
According to the Center of Disease Control 30 percent of U.S. adults are obese- that is over 60 million people. More than 60% of the U.S. adult population does not engage in the recommended amount of physical activity and 25% are not active at all. These trends must change!
The National Congress of State Games has developed a program, Lighten Up America, that will help Americans take the first step towards a healthier and more productive lifestyle.
Lighten Up America (LUA) is a program designed to promote physical activity and good nutrition. The goal is to impact individual behavior and the culture of work sites and communities. A team based program, it is designed to help Americans make positive lifestyle changes during the course of five months.
All participants who partake in Lighten Up America will benefit. Benefits take the form of healthier eating habits, increased physical activity levels and overall health improvement!
Does Your State Offer Its Own Lighten Up Program?
Iowa was the first state to start a Lighten Up program. In 2002, the pilot program was introduced by the Iowa Sports Foundation (dba Iowa Games) and the program has continued to grow. The program has also become a trend in other states and there are now 18 other Lighten Up programs across the United States.
LUA encourages participants to sign up for their states program but for states that do not have their own Lighten Up program, teams may sign up for Lighten Up America.
Alabama- Lighten Up Alabama
Colorado- Lighten Up Colorado
Georgia- Lighten Up Georgia
Illinois- Lighten Up Illinois
Iowa- Lighten Up Iowa
Kansas- Get Fit Kansas
Maine-LightenME!
Massachusetts- Mass Shape Up
Missouri- Show Me Shape Up
Montana- Shape Up Montana
Nebraska- N-Lighten Nebraska
North Carolina- Be Active Challenge
Oklahoma- Lighten Up Oklahoma
www.soonerstategames.org/lightenup.htm